Living in Panajechel, Guatemala
Though part of me would rather be living in a small village on Lake Atitlan the other part of me is happy to be in a bigger city with Internet and nightlife.
Panajechel is a rather fast paced lifestyle compared to most of Lake Atitlan, natives and artisans travel from all around the region to sell their wares on the main market street “Calle Santander”. There are several restaurants and night clubs in town that do music mostly on the weekends, but a few do music all week.
The lake is beautiful beyond word or pictures, but here is a pic to give you an idea of the beauty here.

Finding good internet in a third world wonderland
Living on Lake Atitlan is and has been a great enhancement to my life. The culture is fascinating the lake is beautiful, life in general is good here. The biggest challenge now is finding Internet that is good enough to do my work…
I wrote off trying to live in my favorite town here when I am working because they only have satellite internet and the latency of satellite just won’t work for me. So, here I am in Panajechel where the Internet is at least acceptable. There are three games in town if you want internet to your house or business. The local phone company will hook you up for the fastest internet in town within a few weeks if you have a phone line to the house you are in. The local cable company will hook you up to the second fastest internet around a little quicker if you have cable run to the house. Lastly there is a local company mayanet that will set you up with a wireless connection (the slowest option, but usable) anywhere in their range.
I haven’t decided which to go with yet, I think I will likely get the slower wireless because I am not sure which house I will be in next month and the wireless router can be moved to any house/hotel within range. I will keep you posted.
Leaving Lake Atitlan, Returning to Colorado
After 7 months on beautiful Lake Atitlan in Guatemala I am heading back to my other family in Colorado.
This is both happy and sad as I love so many people in both places. It has been a great season on Lake Atitlan with lots of music, dance, friends, and the good in general. I look forward now to the season in Crestone Colorado, I hope it is as fun as Lake Atitlan was this year.
Until I write again,
Jopa