Big guy in little chicken bus 12/14

Andy's highlights- 1st class flight was awesome, bus ride here was interesting w/ DJ KoKo, women making his knees uncomfortable, bus driving was scary. We got off the bus chain too early and didn't get back on, boat ride and sunset was amazing, traveling w/ light gear, we are both feeling better physically.

The first day is always great, even if you end up traveling for most of the day like we did. 1am flight out of SFO. I didn't need the Xanax that I took, I woke up for a chicken sandwich at one point, and passed out for the rest of the flight to Mexico City. A couple hour layover and we're only in the air for 2 hours to Guatemala City. Did I mention we were in first class? We never travel in first, and I didn't even know we booked first until I had to change our flight  (the cost was the same as competitors' coach prices). No flight change fee- awesome! I could really get used to flying first class, especially w/ red eyes, but I know it won't happen in a while.

We land in GC and the weather was perfect. I feel like an asshole because my Spanish sucks. I tried to speak to the people at the airport and they immediately switched to English. Oh well, I need to warm up. We agreed to head to Panajecha at the last min so I got the bus schedule from the info lady. We head out of the airport into insanity and almost get a cab. Andy wanted to wait for someone else and split the cost, but we were the only Gringos there and I just wanted to move on so we took the cab to the bus stop in Area8.

The bus was interesting as always. Andy didn't fit in the seat, I barely did and I'm only 5'3". Needless to say Andy is larger than the average Guatemalan. All was well until a lady w/ her kid got on the bus and decided to make our barely two person seat into a four. WTF. Of all the people in the bus she decided to make the large white man squish? Andy was in almost tears for 30 min until people got off and she finally moved. He hung in there like a trouper, didn't bitch or push the woman out of the way. After all we've only been here for an hour, no need to start shit just yet.

The bus finally comes to a stop and makes everyone get out. This isn't Pana. He points to another bus and we board w/o issues. An hour later the bus stops again and makes everyone get out. We're close to the lake so we start walking. I mention we are not in Pana (what the locals call it) but Andy thinks we can walk anyways. Once I find out we are quite far from our destination, and Andy see the lake side from afar, we walk back to the bus area and board our last bus. I try to hold in all my irritation, we can't start fighting on the first day right? All is well and I let my angst go. On our way down the steep mountain to the lake, the bus driver is going crazy fast and at one point I turn around to look at Andy in the back of the bus and we both have the look of death on our faces. Not sure what it is about being in the back of the bus but it's scary as hell. Then we come to a complete stop. All I could think about was another bus drove over the edge. Nope, it was construction and we finally made it to the boat dock.

A beautiful sunset and boat ride across the lake, stopping a several expensive villas on the side of the mountain for some tourists, and we make it to San Marcos. This place is beautiful. So small you need a flashlight to find your way at some points. We find a place- it's suppose to be a dorm but it's a cute little building and we're the only ones in it. We head out for dinner. We get two Gallos cervesas as soon as possible after the long day we just had. It's now 630 and we're finally sitting down. We are now officially on vacation. I can tell because I haven't had a headache all day and Andy isn't sick anymore. Go figure. Funny how our normal lives destroy our bodies. Two  pizzas later and we are in bed by 9. What a long day it's been. Can't wait to see the lake in the manana!