Guatemala!

For New Years 2011 we went to Guatemala to visit our friends, Analee & Gregorio and their little boy, Sebas!  To say they were incredible hosts would be a huge understatement... they were the best hosts and made sure that we had an unbelievable time exploring Guate!

We spent the first few days touring Antigua.  Our other friends, Diego & Ani, even came out for dinner one night!  When we were there we did a coffee farm tour.  At one point the guide remarked how the coffee farming business was great for families... the parents can pick from the top, while the children, with their small, nimble fingers can pick from the bottom!  Because this was in Spanish I had to confirm with Gregorio, that yes indeed, this tour guide was touting child labor as if it was TGIF family night out!  We clearly were not in the States.

After Antigua we headed to la playa (the beach) for five days so we could get rid of our pale gringo skin and celebrate New Years 2011... whoot whoot!  Our friends Luzma and Manuel flew in to join the festivities as well!   We had a lot of late nights sitting out by the pool discussing the problems of the world and what we were all going to do post-Barcelona... favorite conversation... 'where did the 1 trillion dollars go, Joe?!?!'.

New Years Eve was so different this year... not necessarily better, but different. Last year we were just the two of us in freezing cold Berlin and this year we were surrounded by friends and dripping in sweat from dancing at an outdoor club/party until 5AM.  Pretty sure we were some of the oldest at the club... but without a doubt we were the coolest (duh).

After New Years we headed back to Antigua to spend a few days just the two of us.  It was a great way to end the trip and relax before heading back to the States to prepare for the big move to London.

Analee and Gregorio, thank you again for everything.  We can't wait to repay the favor the next time you're in London!

Enjoy all of the photos by clicking HERE.  Or watch the slideshow below: