Ahhh....the thermal spas. Chicovix! I´ve been preparing for this, waiting not just for my trip to Guatemala but for my OUTDOOR ADVENTURE - my time with nature - my relaxation in the hot springs...Hopefully there would be some wildlife around to view with the binoculars (Melanie, the way, loves the binoculars, especially turned around to make everything ¨muy pequena!¨)

But look! The school organizes a trip to Chicovix! I can go in the afternoon!

We set off, six girls (apparently spas are not as appealing to the opposite sex), so excited. We had a van take us through the winding roads of the mountains - the views are astounding but the land is covered in litter. We ascended and descended via smaller and smaller passageways and finally we arrive....The guide explains ¨solo dos personas per baño, cuesta quatro Quetzales por una hora¨ and I think, I don´t need the bathroom, let´s go to the hotsprings! So he leads us there and I quickly realize ¨solo dos personas¨es porque cada ¨baño¨is a tiny enclosed dirty room where they pipe in the water from the earth. There are local families lined up waiting for us to finish so they can take their FOR REAL baths. Each of us, paired off, emerge after a hot hot hour (man that water is seriously hot) with red feet and legs and look at each other, smiles erupting on our faces and we knew that it was worth the experience. Well, check that off the list of things to do. I guess I didn´t need my sunblock for that one!

eek! someone asked me to go out tonight! excuse me...I gotta go so I can finish my homework before dinner...