Chicken Buses and Clingy Cats

Just a quick note, I think. This morning I left Antigua and made for Chichicastenango. Travel here was by ¨chicken bus¨. These are old school buses, retired from the United States, that have been given a new paint job and souped up with a bigger engine. They hardly stop for passengers to mount or dismount, and they certainly don't stop for any other traffic. You end up packed in like sardines, and on a good day someone probably will have brought some chickens on board with them (not today though).

Yesterday, I successfully climbed Pacaya Volcano. I was hoping to see some lava up close because that's what they advertise, but the volcano had a small eruption a few days before, so we weren't allowed too near the lava. All the same, it was hot, if you poked certain rocks with your hiking stick it might catch fire, and it was unbelieveably amazing. I guess I'll just have to try another volcano in the future to get closer to some real lava.

This morning, I made my way to Chichi for the market. Market days are Thursdays and Sundays, and people come here from all over to buy and sell. It was very cool; almost overwhelming because you just get lost in a maze of streets and stalls and everything looks the same. I'm not alone though. First thing this morning, Itay got onto the same bus as me and decided to come along to Chichi instead of going to Xela today. Itay and I met on the ride from San Pedro Sula to Copan Ruinas, and now everyone from that bus keeps running into one another. Welcome to solo travelling! (It really isn't so solo at all.)

Now, I've explored the market, people are starting to pack up their stalls to trek back home (that starts at about 4:00 pm), I've climbed up to an old Mayan ritual site, and here I am on the internet. There's a small cat roaming around in here, and it quickly made itself comfortable on my lap. Shame it kneads so much when it purrs.

Unlike most tourists, I'll be spending tonight here in Chichi. A lot of people come in just for the day, see the market, and take off again. I want to see what the town is like after everyone leaves. Then I'm headed to Quetzaltenango (Xela); probably late tomorrow morning. I haven't fully decided yet, but why should I decide? Travel here is easy, people don't try to rip you off much, and right now spending time with Itay (he's a guy from Israel, by the way) is quite nice. Off I go!