An Unexpected Day

I had planned to leave Panajachel Tuesday morning. I went to a shuttle station and, utilizing all the Spanish knowledge I possess, found out that my plan was flawed - I would not make my connecting bus on time.

So - I had a day. My guidebooks mentioned a nature reserve that makes a good day trip. I went back to my hotel, paid for another night, changed clothes, and set off.

The walk took nearly thirty minutes - follow the lake past the water front resorts of the rich and head into the jungle. A carved sign, two peacocks, and a canvassed roof, and there it was - the Atitlan Reserva Natural.

Stepped to the information counter. Would I like a zip line tour? Oh my sweat Jesus. For $23, I spent the morning zip lining in and above the misty canopy and the afternoon hiking a trail composed of hanging bridges. I saw spider monkeys, was suspended over a fifty foot waterfall, and watched a Mayan woman tend the crazy looking caterpillars of the reserve´s butterfly garden. The only other tourists I saw were the two Australian girls who finished the zip line tour as I started. The whole experience was so surreal.