For the first time in 24 years, I didn't celebrate Christmas with my blood family. Don't get me wrong, I was with my family, enjoying every moment of the day- but today, I was with my chosen family. We didn't have a Christmas tree either, just palm trees and allspice.
Waking up with mi amor was better than any decorated box or bow tied gift. It was that special something that I'd been asking for, for years! As our eyes opened and I remembered we were in a new country, she mumbled that there was a complimentary breakfast buffet downstairs, that was ending soon. She was still sleepy, but I was hungry enough to throw on some clothes, and boogie downstairs to join my friend Summer for a quality meal in a foreign land.
The buffet was unlike any Christmas meal I've ever had. Not only was I the only white dude in the room, but I enjoyed listening to the beauty of the Spanish language all around me. The gifts on my plate were even more exciting: plantains, pineapple, French toast, eggs, and even a green juice!
Unfortunately, we soon discovered that the wonderful Christmas buffet wasn't complimentary as we had thought. When I tried to bring a plate of fruit up to my partner, Mackenzie, a man stopped me and started shaking me down for Quetzals, which I did not have! We had to dash up to the 15th floor to get cash from the room, and found Mackenzie wide awake, as she was unable to turn off Summer's broken phone with an incessant alarm.
After settling up with the not-so-complimentary buffet, we focused on a couple hours of work while we still had legit wifi. In the early afternoon, we left the hotel and took a luxurious shuttle ride to our next destination. Leaving Guatemala City, we drove deeper into the mountains. Passing old homes, and rainforests, we eventually made it to the cobblestone streets of Antigua.
After exploring our AirbNb, we got back to work. (For those of you who are just joining me on this adventure, my team and I are starting a 501(c)7 non-profit social club, for people who want to make the Earth green again. The Warriors of the Rainbow will be discussed extensively in future posts.)
When our stomachs started rumbling, the real adventure began. After meeting the security guard, and passing through giant wooden gates, we started wandering the cobblestone roads to the center of the city. Motorcycles, tuktuks, and all sorts of motor vehicles swept pass us, as we did our best to stay on the narrow sidewalk that lined the streets.
We looked back at the Volcan de Agua. Sunset clouds topped this spectacular volcano, and lit up our minds with ecstatic bliss! We were enraptured by its majesty. Another incredible present that cannot be wrapped and placed under a tree.
As we kept trekking on, I noticed that all the houses were stuck together and formed what I would consider a giant maze. I took pictures of landmarks along the path, sensing how easy it would be to get lost in this town.
By the time we made it to the city square, the sun dropped out of the sky, and Christmas lights illuminated the plaza. A handful of mobile merchants with glowing toys line the streets and hustled their wares. I saw a couple glowing balls, and decided to go for it- I loved swinging poi. Plus, they were only 30Q ($4)!
I started swinging the glowing balls, and within a couple minutes, locals started taking my picture. One family even asked to take a group photo with our gang. It was all great fun, and it felt great to be welcomed into a new city with such positivity! Meeting new international friends and making the locals smile was yet another gift I had not expected.
Fireworks kept lighting off around us, blasting spectrums of color into the sky. The only way we could escape their excitement was by diving into the local shops. A giant storefront with dozens of private merchants captivated our attention, and the handmade wares made my pocketbook itch. Although abundance in my wallet isn't flowing as much as I'd like at the moment, I have joined an incredible team in which no one gets left behind and all are supported, as we are a family by choice.
We enjoyed Christmas dinner at a little restaurant, while being serenaded with a Spanish guitar. Then, we left to make our way back home. Just as I had guessed, we were quickly lost somewhere in the cobblestone maze. I tried using the pictures on my phone as landmarks to go by, but honestly, that might of gotten us even more lost.
After backtracking a time or two, we found a tuktuk to take us home. Mackenzie's Spanish skills came in handy once again, as she bartered for a fair price. The ride was bumpy and cramped, but we were so excited to arrive and greet our security guard friend. Crossing the threshold of the monumental wooden doors, I had an overwhelming feeling of 'home' wash over me.
Now, I'm here at my laptop, sharing my life with you all, excited for what tomorrow will bring!
If you've enjoyed what you've read, please consider chipping in whatever you can to this righteous endeavor. We could use all the financial support we can get, in order to make it to Anarchapulco, so we can find investors for our nonprofit.
Thank you all so much! Many Blessings!
Feel free to send Bitcoin to this Address-
1PdX9BBDM3rJ7cRjfnugaQe6WSRDa9LUp3
