Panajachel, Our First Home as Expats

 We arrived in Panajachel, Guatemala in February, 2014, excited beyond words. We had no plans to leave, only to stay forever, God willing. We had come to help our daughter and son-in-law with a small hotel in town. My book, We Burned our Boats, tells the whole story. We did indeed burn our boats, with great enthusiasm and no regrets.

Bruce and me with Lake Atitlan in the background

One of our sons, his wife and their little girl had come for the same reason, to help with the hotel, Travis taking a semester off school. Having Travis, Jessica and Emree there with us was such a joy. The memories we hold of that time together are priceless.

We all fell in love with the beautiful Guatemala highlands. There's a feeling in the atmosphere that is hard to describe. Certain words I heard visitors use were magical, tranquil, peaceful, healing, spiritual. It wasn't just the beauty of the hills, skies, or surrounding volcanos. Or not even the calm, happy, friendly local people. The air itself seems infused with some remarkable something. 

You felt blessed to be there and never wanted to leave.

A waterfall on the road outside of town.

Words barely do it justice, although I wrote an entire book about it, so I did try. I will close this post with sharing photos that make me happy. For one thing, Maya people are beautiful at any age.

Lake Atitlan is a misty marvel, surrounded by striking volcanoes, three of which are named Peter, James and John. In Spanish, Pedro, Santiago and Juan, with towns along the border with the same names.

The final two photos are of the location where we brought my husband's ashes to float down and out over the lake. When I die, our kids will return here with my ashes where I will join him.

Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, and the Highlands of Guatemala. Beautiful, beautiful, spiritual, peaceful.