July 18, 2008 - Antigua, Guatemala

“Promises are like the full moon, if they are not kept at once they diminish day by day”
~German Proverb

La Antigua Guatemala means "Old Guatemala." Three volcanoes surround Antigua, including Acatenango, Volcan de Agua (Volcano of Water), and Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). Volcan de Fuego is always active, spewing steam out of its plume, above the city.

Antigua is "Old Guatemala" because in 1541, Volcan de Agua's caldera filled with water, then one side broke open, and created a massive landslide, wiping out the city (at least this is what I gathered from the locals). As the result the capitol city moved to the present day location of Guatemala City. Regardless, Antigua thrives and has become a World Heritage Site, celebrated for its well preserved Spanish Baroque Architecture.

In the afternoon, a bus ride from Antigua to Panachel, Lake Atitlan. This drive was essentially Mr. Toad's Wild Ride extended over two hours with added elevation drops and gains of over 1,ooo feet, at least 10 times. For a woman who gets car sick going straight on the freeway, I felt find. Perhaps my stomach and head were still lethargic from the lethal dose of local pure chocolate I was given at breakfast, in the form of a candy bar.

Once we arrived at the Lake Atitlan send-off docks at Panachel and after a 10 minute boat ride to Villa Sumaya, a solo session of yoga was enjoyed. All destinations on Lake Atitlan are reached by boat only.

Sumaya is Sanskrit for "a long awaited dream come true" or in Arabic, "a little piece of heaven". Since I was in India (Sanskrit) last summer and Saudi Arabia (Arabic) in the winter, I must be on the right path. Trifecta complete!

Full moon. Thunderstorm. Volcanoes. Jungle. Agua. If there is a heaven on Earth, I have arrived there.