Boys play soccer right by the shore. Notice the water on the other side of the fence.  

Indiginous children from the little lakeside village. They (along with the other children and adults) are so persistent in trying to get you to buy their handcrafted goods.  

The beautiful lake shore.  

That night, after I got home from the lake, Mariachis came to our house to celebrate the return of one of the husbands of the house. He had been working for 2 years in Texas. Almost 20 friends and family were there to celebrate. The man (who had just returned) made me dance with him (in front of everyone) several times. Quite an embarassing moment, i must say.  

This is the ever popular temple of Maximon in San Andres Itzapa. Maximon tends to be a religion of the indiginous people as well as prostitutes. Maximon is a cross between a Mayan god and Judas Iscariot. He is the smoking and drinking god who rules death, healing, crossroads, fertility and male sexual power. Some appropriate offerings are...incense, candles, money, roosters, tortillas, rum, cigars, silk scarves, coca-cola, citrus-scented perfume and herbs.  

Followers perform the spiritual ceremony (some consider it to be witchcraft), while silently praying to Maximon.  

A man worships Maximon.  

Maximon himself. Notice Mary hovering over top of him.  

The sign says there is a Q5,000 fine (approx $625) for throwing trash over the ledge...A little boy gets rid of his waste in his wheelbarrow. The next pic is a view over the ledge.  

A river of trash. Sadly all too common in Central America. 

Two chicken busses pass.  

Sheny and I wait for the chicken bus.  

Why the chicken bus is called the chicken bus. (notice live chicken strapped to this indiginous woman's hand) 

An evangelist preaches for almost 45 minutes on the crowded chicken bus.  

I met up with Angie (we went to UM together) in Antigua the previous night. We spent that day together at the toro. We were the only two white people on the fence, let alone, part of the minority of women that were not in the stands.
 

Black bull stares blankly.  

The bull comes charging to our corner. Everyone jumps up onto the fence (including our laps) and kicks the bull to taunt him. This one's a little guy. 

Our fence almost fell down while we were on it and everybody ran to the rescue to put up another post to support it.  

This is before it got super crowded. Mostly women and children stayed in the bleacher section while the men and young boys were either on the fence or in the ring.  

A picture i accidentally took when the camera was behind my back. It catches the spectators looking through the fence that we were sitting on.  

Me and Angie went to Ricky's on my last night in Antigua. A fun night and a great way to close out the trip.  

Sheny, my teacher (though we only had one official teaching lesson) and traveling partner. She's a cool girl--my tomboy friend.  

My "host mom" in Antigua, Thelma. Such a wonderful woman with such a nice family.  

The end (but just the beginning). 

COUNTRIES I'VE VISITED...It's not much (and it's not like I've visited every US state either) but I hope that in years to come there will be a stark contrast.