Independence

Guatemala celebrates its Independence from Spain on September 15th.

For the past three days, people have flooded the streets of Antigua - the former capital city. Every morning, afternoon, and evening school groups from all over the country paraded through the streets. Some wore costumes, some were paired in what seemed to be akin to prom king and queen, and most featured a marching band. Some were better than others. The best were heavy on the xylophone and had members that kicked, spun, and ducked in unison. Groups of children ran the streets carrying torches that looked to be made of nothing more than a stick, a tin can, and some lighter fluid. And on Sunday night an impressive firework display exploded over Parque Central. I watched with some new-found Spanish school friends as we licked ice cream that doesn't hold a candle to gelato, but is good in its own right. Pina Colada is my favorite flavor thus far.

Spanish school is going well. Although I have trouble confusing Spanish verbs with Italian ones - which sometimes works, but most often only earns me disapproving looks from my teacher - I can now order with confidence at restaurants, properly inform a bus driver that I need to get off, and introduce myself. Other than that, I've been working on conquering my fear of large bugs, been personally introduced to Central American machismo, and tomorrow plan to climb a volcano.