The polar opposite of the "easy" volcano hike

So we have learned in nicuraguia they lie about hiking and in guatemala they tell the truth. we went on another 'easy volcano hike' yesterday... and it was FANTASTIC! I had high hopes for the ease of the hike when they said it was only an hour and a half up, my hopes were lifted higher still when i saw our group a age range on 60-10 the youngest of which was threatening to puke on the way up and was crying when she got in the shuttle up to the start point of the hike. Lonley planet lied. There were no armed guards with us, and no need for them. The hike was perfectly delightful, aside from the barage of small children trying to sell us, or rather rent us 'schticks', megan and i did not partake, schticks are for wimps. Half way up the leasurly stroll wich was hard enough to get our heart beat up and breathing fast but not so hard that we wished it were over, the small childs parents rented her a horse... she couldnt hack it. They said she could ride for 2 dollars worth... it was hilarious. By the time her two dollars ran out we reached a clearing in the forest and saw hills of black pumice sand and piles of pumice... it looked like egypt meets starwars. team tigre as our guide called us pressed on until we reached a stream of tumbleing orange globules and rocks... we wanted to get all the way to the top but our guide didnt take us and pumice hiking is tricky. so instead we watched the lava and warmed ourselves with its heat. this hike was by far the best ever... great incentive.. easy but challenging... nice temperature.. great light.. and even pumice to slough off any hores shit in your boots you may have acrewed. awesome. worth the 15 bux. Today we are off to lake atalan.. to exsperience mayan culture,garafuna culture, weaving /beading classes, and maybe even yoga and hot showers! go guatemala... hopefully our shuttle suttles its but over here soon. Until my next post i'll be soaking in sun and hoping for free internets.....

oh! also antigua is great but its hookah bars close too early and its street sales people are super pushy! but they all look amazing in colorful mayan dress... hopefully the ones in atalan wont charge me to shoot them... because i cant afford it....