Our Guatemalan adventure began and ended with the dazzling city of Antigua, a world UNESCO site. Antigua is the ideal introduction into Guatemala. The architecture, cobbled streets and colonial charm was our time machine back into the 1500’s. Colorful buildings, vendors, artisans and Central Park with its twinkling lights was an explosion of “Bienvenido!” in our faces.

Strolling the streets to our dinner restaurant, we lined up single file to navigate the small sidewalks. My friend remarked on the inordinate amount of PDA (public displays of affection) going on in Central Park. It was true–the Guatemalan couples are passionate. They were perfect “props” for this idyllic and romantic landscape.

After dinner, we continued our strolling among the atmospheric streets–yes, the one with the Golden Arch..  A mix of stylish men and women among indigenous people selling their wares was as picturesque as the illuminated architecture.

The streets and curbs have lights running along them and the roofs of the buildings did, too. How brilliant this idea is–it makes Antigua shimmer, sparkle and gives it an incandescence in the night. Antigua, like Athens and other cosmopolitan cities, doesn’t like to sleep. The weekend party seems to linger. Just when you think you’ve fallen asleep after the final sounds of the last partier, you’ll awaken to a rooster and church bells. They were sounds that make you cranky but not cacophonious ones; in fact, they were somewhat melodious.

Ascending to our hotel’s rooftop, we “consciously caffeinated ” to a mesmerizing sunrise. A couple of the thirty three volcanoes of Guatemala were shrouding us in a misty panorama. Posing for pictures left and right, our photographic- FOMO (fear of missing out) was a perfect way to wake up. We had the rooftop all to ourselves which was great bonding for our girls’ trip. I climbed over the rooftop wall of our hotel to get to another rooftop so there would be no photo-FOMO. On our returning night there, which was the night before departure, we went to the Chocolate Museum – a display of chocolates with the most unique fillings (Bailey’s Irish Cream, Tequila, rum, Oreo cookie crust, etc)  and a  chocolate fondue demonstration. Next door was a fabulous jade jewelry store. While Mexico has its silver, Dominican Republic has its larimar, other countries have their turquoise—Guatemala has is jade!- traditional jade, lavender jade, white jade, etc. We ooohed and aahhhed like young girls over our jade trials, selections, and purchases.  The unique white jade won my heart, forever reminding me of the volcanic mist and marshmallow clouds of Guatemala. At a quiet and calm happy hour behind a walled courtyard of draping florals, we summarized our trip impressions over the freshest top shelf margaritas. With a slightly sombre tone to saying goodbye to this country, I think our bodies and minds were full and tired from a power packed itinerary.

A gourmet dinner at the jazz-themed Bistro Bourbon was my first traditional steak of the week with potatoes in whisky-sauce and a Malbec wine…divine! A drizzle of a chimichurri- style sauce on the side and some absolutely delicious vegetables was a hearty meal to end our Antigua night. A 3:00 a.m. wake up time to depart back to the Guatemala City airport was just right around the corner.  Lying on my colonial style canopy bed among several ornate native-style pillows at the PalacioChico Hotel, the sounds of partiers outside my window shutters did not irritate me this time–it actually entertained me as the last sounds of the Guatemala energy to which we’d become accustomed. “Adios Antigua! Charmed, I’m sure!!!”

© GIna Michalopulos Kingsley

photos by Gina

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