As the sun climbed higher in the sky over Washington D.C., the air buzzed with anticipation. The nation’s capital was gearing up for its annual Independence Day spectacle. Leaving my apartment, I headed for Union Station, the streets already adorned with streaks of red, white, and blue. The distant echo of marching bands tuning up for the parade reached my ears, a prelude to the day’s patriotic fervor.
But while my fellow Americans prepared to celebrate with barbecues and fireworks, I was embarking on an adventure I never saw coming. Just a week ago, I’d stumbled upon a wild discount on Frontier’s GoWild! flights. On a whim, fueled by a mixture of wanderlust and the allure of a bargain, I’d booked a ticket to Guatemala. I knew little about the country, but the price was too good to pass up.
My flight from Baltimore was scheduled for 8 PM, leaving me just enough time to catch glimpses of the celebrations. As the train sped towards BWI, I watched families lining the streets, flags waving proudly in the summer breeze. The Washington Monument stood tall in the distance, a silent sentinel bidding me farewell.
It wasn’t until after I’d booked the flight that I discovered Guatemala’s reputation for Spanish immersion classes. My Spanish was abysmal, despite numerous tequila-fueled trips to Tijuana, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity. With only days before my departure, I hastily arranged to attend classes at a school called Antiguena, which also offered to set me up with a host family. It all seemed to be falling into place.
As the plane took off, I could see fireworks sparkling across the horizon. It was a bittersweet moment – missing the grand finale of my nation’s birthday, yet thrilled by the promise of unknown adventures ahead. Little did I know that while America celebrated its past, I was racing towards a future that would reshape my understanding of the world.
Two hours after landing at La Aurora International Airport, we pulled up to a modest house in Antigua – my home for the next week. The welcome I received was awkward; my host family hadn’t expected me, and the house was already full with eight other foreigners. There had clearly been some miscommunication. Despite the confusion, they did their best to accommodate me, quickly rearranging things to have me share a room.
Hunger gnawed at me, amplified by the stress of travel and the awkward situation. Despite their efforts, I decided to explore Antigua and find dinner, giving everyone a chance to sort out the sleeping arrangements. In my haste, I made my first rookie mistake: I left without an umbrella.
Minutes after I set out, the skies unleashed their fury. Rain poured down in sheets, and I found myself lost in a maze of unfamiliar cobblestone streets. It was already 9:30 PM, and colonial Antigua was shrouded in darkness. As I wandered, my clothes growing heavier with each step, doubt crept in. Perhaps I should have swallowed my pride and asked my hosts for a simple meal. But here I was, a drenched and famished stranger in a foreign land.
Just as despair was about to set in, luck smiled upon me. I stumbled upon a restaurant called “Hecho en Casa” – “Homemade” in English. The place looked inviting, a beacon of warmth in the wet darkness. As I entered, I noticed a group of German backpackers finishing their meal. They soon left, replaced by a large group of boisterous Guatemalans.
After finishing my pasta alfredo, which I washed down with a refreshing glass of agua de jamaica – a delightful hibiscus tea popular in Guatemala – I felt the urge to capture the lively atmosphere. At a large table nearby, a group of about ten people, mostly women, were enjoying themselves immensely. They had just received a generous tray of Nachos Cucuruchos, piled high with chorizo, chicken, and beef, smothered in tomato sauce, lettuce, beans, cheese, and cream. The nachos were being passed around with surprising orderliness for such a large group.
As if the nachos weren’t enough, I noticed they had also ordered Shucos, a Guatemalan street food whose name amusingly translates to “dirty” in local slang. These loaded hot dogs were garnished with ham, cheese, tomatoes, guacamole, and curtido – a mild sauerkraut-like topping that added a tangy crunch. A generous drizzle of mayo, ketchup, and mustard completed the messy but mouthwatering dish.
Hesitantly, I pulled out my phone and started filming the group. A wave of anxiety washed over me – would they find this intrusive? In a foreign country, such a misunderstanding could quickly escalate. To my relief, they seemed more amused than offended. Encouraged, I showed them my YouTube channel, and to my surprise, they eagerly agreed to be part of the video, their enthusiasm contagious.
As they scrolled through my channel, sudden bursts of laughter erupted from the group. They were finding something hilarious, but I couldn’t quite figure out what. Was it my attempts at humor in previous videos? Or perhaps my American perspective on everyday things struck them as absurdly funny? It dawned on me that humor, like so many things, could be vastly different across cultures. What I considered mundane might be comedy gold here in Guatemala.
Their laughter, though somewhat perplexing, was infectious. Soon, I found myself chuckling along, even if I didn’t fully understand the joke. This moment of shared mirth, despite the language and cultural barriers, made me feel unexpectedly welcome.
Suddenly, a soft voice caught my attention. “Fifi, Fifi,” a woman called. My gaze followed the sound to a cat gracefully descending a tree that grew right through the middle of the restaurant – an enchanting feature of the courtyard decor common in Antiguan establishments. A woman at a nearby table let out a delighted gasp, scooping the feline into her arms. To my amazement, she began crooning to it, cradling the cat as if reuniting with a long-lost friend.
Maydu, the woman who called to the cat, struck me with her unique beauty. Her petite stature, typical of many Guatemalan women, was complemented by her dark complexion that spoke of her Mayan heritage [2]. As she cradled the cat, her melodious voice filled the air, revealing a kindness that felt refreshingly genuine compared to the often-guarded interactions I was accustomed to back home.
Captivated by this peculiar scene, I couldn’t help but record it. When I showed the footage to the woman, expecting perhaps a hint of displeasure, she was instead delighted. Her companion, a local chef named Carlos, noticed our interaction and ambled over to chat. I couldn’t help but notice the array of beer bottles on their table – both local Gallo and imported Stella Artois. Clearly, this was more than just a casual dinner.
To my surprise, they invited me to join them. It was Maydu’s friend’s birthday, and they insisted I share in their celebration with cake and Coca-Cola. As we talked and laughed, I felt a warmth that transcended language barriers.
Touched by their kindness and eager to reciprocate, I suggested treating them to lunch the next day. Maydu, with a gentle smile, proposed meeting in the evening instead. I readily agreed, asking her to choose the venue given my unfamiliarity with Antigua. As we exchanged contact information, a mix of excitement and uncertainty swirled within me. Was I correctly interpreting their friendliness, or was I missing some cultural nuance?
The rain had softened to a light drizzle as I made my way back to my host family’s house. I marveled at the evening’s unexpected turn of events. My first night in Antigua, and I already had plans! But what other surprises – pleasant or challenging – awaited me in this captivating, mysterious town? Would my hosts be concerned about my late return? Had I inadvertently breached some unspoken rule of etiquette?
Despite my lingering questions, I couldn’t suppress a smile. This impromptu trip was already exceeding my wildest expectations. Little did I know, this was merely the prologue to a series of remarkable encounters that would shape my Guatemalan adventure. As I approached the house, I braced myself for whatever reception awaited me, my mind brimming with possibilities that lay ahead in this unfamiliar yet increasingly intriguing land.
