Semuc Champey

View of the pools

 Yesterday was quite an adventure. We woke up early to take a bus to Semuc Champey. Even though the bus driver told us that's where we were going, the final stop after 3 hours of driving was at the neighboring town of Lanquin. Once again, as soon as we got off the bus people were trying to sell us on their tours or private rides to semuc for an exorbitant price. We started to walk there in hopes of catching a ride, and we did! Guatemala has an interesting type of shuttle service to get around everywhere. We got in the

back of a truck that I think was originally meant for livestock, that had an overhead bar to hang onto. We and about 20 locals stood in the back of the truck for the 30 minute ride on the gravel road through the mountains. Finally we arrived at Semuc Champey, a beautiful formation of natural water pools. We vigorously hiked up to the look out point, getting our cardio workout for the day, and the view was spectacular! After hiking down, we got to swim in the clear water. There were tiny little fish there that kept trying to nibble on our toes! We were able to stand right

Back of the truck

 under the little waterfall that gave a fantastic little shoulder massage. After this our adventure continued, because now we had to try to find a way home. We started walking back towards town. In case there wasn't another truck taking people to town we figured we could stay at a hostal that was 3 km away. Luckily, when we got to the hostal the last truck drove by and picked us up to take us to town. There were some other American travelers in the truck and it was fun to chat with them. We saw a bus in town, but when I went up to the driver to ask if they were going to Coban, he just laughed and said "at this hour?" Apparently we had missed the last bus. We walked to the entrance of town and thought that maybe we could catch a ride. There was another guy there waiting for a ride to Coban and 2 other guys catching a ride somewhere else. After 45 minutes a truck offered us a lift. It was windy and cold in the back of the truck. They had some stuff in the back so we could sit facing the back and that would block the wind. The only trouble is that I have a sensitive stomach and started to feel carsick. Between feeling sick or feeling cold, I decided to feel cold and had to look ahead of us over the truck. There was so much fog and wind, and then it started to rain! It wasn't raining that hard, but when you're driving through it it hits you harder. Two hours later we made it to Coban! It felt so nice to make it back to town! Mission accomplished.