Made it to Guatemala, then immediately lost my new headphones. Oh well, it was otherwise a pretty great travel day.

I had booked one of those flights that boards at 5:30am out of Logan and cursed my past self for making present Carmen get to the airport so early. It didn’t help that I’d probably slept only two hours the night before, thanks to being a last-minute packer. When I reached my very short layover in Atlanta at 9:30am and realized I’d have no time to grab something to eat, I was suddenly so grateful for the two granola bars I almost didn’t pack. That’s all I ate until reaching Antigua in the evening. Oops.

I timed everything so perfectly, but in a way that meant just barely making it to everything. I just barely made my connecting flight, and just barely made it through immigration in time to catch the shuttle I’d reserved to take me from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua. As someone who always arrives right on time or a tiny bit late, this was deeply satisfying. I don’t know why I like this kind of stress.

As I was leaving the airport, I heard the familiar, joyous sounds of mariachi. I turned the corner and saw an eight-person mariachi band playing for a family member who had just come home. For a second, I thought I was in Mexico. What an epic welcome — I fully expect someone to hire a mariachi band for me at an airport one day.

A Mariachi welcome of my dreams.

I got to my shared shuttle curious to see who I’d be riding with for the two-hour trip to Antigua. I’d read all about these shuttles being packed with backpackers, with luggage tied to the roof of the bus using rope.

Here I am with all my new travel friends on the “shared” shuttle.

Come to find out, I got a private shuttle for the price of a shared one. At first, I thought I was just the first person there, but when the driver took off as soon as I boarded, I was relieved. I was honestly so tired and not ready for small talk with other travelers. Even better, it meant I could be dropped off right at my hostel, rather than in the middle of town with me hauling my heavy pack through cobblestone streets.

I decided to travel straight to Antigua from Guatemala City and save Guatemala City for the end of my trip. I’m just that excited about Antigua. My parents traveled there together at the beginning of their love story and raved about its beauty. I haven’t seen much of it yet because I arrived as the sun was setting, but I can’t wait to explore in the morning and learn about the history of this area.

The hostel I’m staying in is gorgeous. It’s been a while since I’ve stayed in a hostel because I must admit, I’m a pretty bougie traveler, but Barbara’s Boutique Hostel will do just fine for the 6 nights I’m in Antigua. It’s located in the center of town, and the property is beautifully detailed with local artwork and plenty of relaxing spaces: hammocks, couches, reading areas, a dining table, a communal kitchen, and even a furnished rooftop with stunning 360-degree views.

I was welcomed to fresh Guatemalan coffee and a delicious veggie tamal.

I think I scarfed down that tamal in about 20 seconds. It was incredible. The folks running the hostel offered it to me when I arrived, and I was genuinely surprised by that. A+ hospitality. It tasted Mexican, much like the ones I made with my family just two days earlier for Christmas Eve, but it was also served with curtido and salsa roja. The combination made it feel like a crossover between a tamal and a pupusa — fitting, since Guatemala is sandwiched between Mexico and El Salvador. I loved it.

After eating, I went on an evening walk to find more food. I was on a mission to find a place to sit and relax for a bit before calling it a night. I walked into the first lively place without even reading the menu. The place was poppin’, but I didn’t realize until I sat down that they mainly served American food - boo. I didn’t have the energy at that point to find something better, so I had a pizza and spent time figuring out how I might want to spend my week here. I then took a long stroll through the main square on my way back to the hostel to shower and rest.

As I write this from my top bunk, I can hear one of my bunk-mates snoring loudly. Really wish I had double-checked that shuttle before leaving my headphones behind. But I’m so tired, I know I’ll be asleep in no time. I’m excited to wake up and see the city in daylight.