Postcard :: Casa del Mundo

Casa del Mundo is set into the hillside over-looking Lago de Atitlan just outside of the tiny village El Jaibalito, Guatemala. Steep stone paths wound through the various buildings on the lush, green property. This gave the place a Swiss Family Robinson feel.

Had we been so inclined we could have filled our days exploring the other village and hiking San Pedro volcano. We did trek through El Jaibalito, but mostly we settled into the easy routine of sunrise photography, followed by a morning swim, afternoon games of Yahtzee and evening photography.

We let our stomachs keep time and enjoyed each delicious meal. Should you go we recommend the Chapin Enchiladas - us Californians might consider them to be more like tostadas - and the huevos rancheros. Be sure to try a bite of the sweet fried plantain dipped in the salty black beans. The view from the dinning room looked directly across the water at the three volcanos often obscured by their own weather systems.

We swam right below our room and discovered patios and old stone supports under the water. It was like exploring a sunken ship. In the last year the water level of the lake had risen three to four meters - all due to a heavy rainy season and no outlet from the lake.

Our second morning there we took out a double kayak before breakfast. The waters were still calm but that would change by 11am. We worked up an appetite while marveling at the blue water and the shore line that, in some ways, reminded us of California. Dramatic and peaceful all at the same time.

Evenings "entertainments" were games of gin rummy played while waiting for our amorous neighbors to go to sleep and relocating a big spider from its spot way too close to my pillow.

Our last morning here we savored the food and view over breakfast. After settling our bill we walked back down the 103 steps for the last time. We waited for the next passing boat headed back to Panajachel and hailed it from the dock. The driver spoke English. He immediately guessed correctly that we'd want to go to Antigua. With a quick phone call he had our shuttle ride set up for us. They were waiting for us when we hopped off the boat.

And we were off on the next adventure...

{click here for: Postcard #1}

*Note: I know when we were planning this trip we were hunting down any details we could find. So, if someone doing the same thing happens on this little blog of mine and would like more information and specific details shoot me an email. I may not have the answer, but I can tell you what we did. megan{dot}a{dot}wenger{at}gmail{dot}com