In the City of Sinkholes...

I arrived safe and sound! I had such a great time getting to O'Hare with all of the Chicago commuters yesterday. I have not ridden the train or subway in Chicago before, but I felt like one of the hard working Americans riding from Michigan City to Chicago. I emerged from the station into the center of downtown Chicago with the hustle and bustle of taxis, cars, and people walking to work. I just stopped on a corner and soaked it in. I could get used to living in a big city. So much energy! Then I arrived at O'Hare via the subway and hung out in the airport for 4 hour. Yesterday was a long day of trains, walking, subways, layovers, connections, delays, and finally my arrival in Guatemala City. I'm ready to settle in here and not think about leaving for an entire month.

So let me be honest, Couchsurfing is scary and so is traveling to Guatemala, but... what is life if you live it in fear of everything? I like to think that we can walk that border between carelessness and trust a little bit closer. However, with a last minute change in plans for arrival into the city at night, I was very scared that I would have to make arrangement from the airport when I arrived. However, Guille Fuentes, a 26 year old graphic designer living above a Veggie Lounge "El Infinito" contacted me in time and said I could stay at his place. I was nervous because he didn't have many referances on his profile and only 1 friend, but I was almost out of luck... So I awaited a possible pickup at the airport from a stranger.

On the plane from Houston, I got to sit by 2 lovely Texan ladies, Jeanie and Rosemary. Jeanie was an 8 day creationist: "Did you know that God created the whole world in 6 days and on the 7th day he rested? Then on the 8th day, he created Texas." hehe. They were both working for a non-profit which helps organize surgeons to come and fix cleft palates and other surgeries. I spoke with them about my career options and they said that if I do end up becoming a surgeon, I'm hired :)

I arrived at te airport and exited to be greated by a gated off area where taxi and bus drivers and awaiting people are looking for their people of interest. Needless to say, it's a bit overwhelming being greeted by tons of Guatemalan faces when you don't even know who you are looking for. Thankfully, Guille and his girlfriend Maria greeted me with a big sign reading "JEENA."

We arrived at the vegetarian restaurant and it is an adorable thing to behold. Such a small little place, created and run by Guille and his brother Fernando. I even get my own room. I'll probably stay till Sunday. Lots of friends come here and some random folk live here too. A friend, Jose and his girlfriend/wife have a little baby. Jose was very friendly and would struggle with his English as I would struggle with my Spanish. Mario lives here, and plays the guitar. Maria, Guille's girlfriend lives here and she teaches elementary school. Her ex-boyfriend Gregor from Germany is visiting. We stayed up till 2 last night talking about religion, family, politics, traveling, and countless other things. Ricardo is Guille's animator friend. He's very funny and super laid back. Anyway, I'm excited to spend the day hanging out with these folk. We'll probably have a small party and maybe a jam session on their guitars later today. I had nothing to worry about. Everyone is so wonderful and giving.

I woke up to sunshine and traffic at 8am this morning. Guille made me breakfast of cinammon pancakes with homemade yogurt, granola, chocolate syrup, honey, banana, and mango on top. Wow. My heart is happy.

Can't wait to see what we do next. Now I'll go read by the window for a little while :)