Well, after a smooth 10 hr plane ride across the Atlantic we arrived yesterday in Guatemala City. Government representative Ericka Guillermo de Villatoro from the tourism authority met us before immigrations and we were shown to a special room for a briefing on the updated itinerary. We were also given a press kit with lots of journo goodies before meeting with Ricardo, our guide for the week.

It took about two hours in heavy traffic from Guatemala City to Antigua and Porta Hotel where we’ll be staying for a few nights. After a shower and a shave, I ate dinner and went straight to bed. I was asleep before 10 pm.

Woke up about an hour later from what I thought was somebody knocking on my door. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! As it turned out, the nerve-racking noise was from somebody shooting off fireworks nearby. Luckily, I fell back to sleep right away and woke up just a few minutes ago. Its 4:00 am and I’ve got them jet lag blues…

In a couple of hours, just as daylight breaks below the volcanoes surrounding us, I’ll hit the narrow, cobblestone streets and start documenting Antigua Guatemala. Yes, life is good. Happy Halloween from Central America!