lake atitlan & chichi

we just arrived back in antigua after several days over on Lake Atitlan. it was a relaxing time along the lake. we hit san pedro for a day and night then took a boat over to santa cruz la laguna. it was pretty low key for a few days while brad recovered from being ill...probably due to some food or water he consumed back in antigua. but he is back to 100 percent!
he went diving in lake atitlan on friday and then saturday we took a boat over to another little town along the lake, san marcos. after a fabulous breakfast, we hiked 3+ hours back to the place we were staying, la iguana perdida. it was 3+ hours due to the meandering, drinking limonada on a balcony overlooking the lake, a stop for a pinapple-avocado licuado in Jaibalito and jumping in the lake for a swim along the way.
we then took off for Chichicastenango...soley for the market on Sunday (this) morning. we took chicken buses there last night and found a cheap hotel. the night sleep was scattered with fireworks randomly all night and drummers and fluters walking and playing through town at 3 this a.m. i do believe this was all part of Navidad festivities unless they are always into this every saturday night before the market.
kicking off the market this morning at 7 was a loud band and celebratory dancers all dressed up. the market was big and muchas cosas. we had our fill with our few hours there...got some tayuyos for lunch and hopped on a chicken bus headed back towards antigua.
i swear it was the craziest chicken bus ride we have had yet - about 4 persons to a seat (the usual school bus, we're talking) plus about 25 people in the aisles - my eyes were closed and i was praying incessantly through all the switch backs up and down the hills as the bus drivers foot was to the floor most of that time. we made it - i do believe it was God's grace way more than my crazy silent babbling.
so we are chillin' in antigua for the night and part of tomorrow. we head for guatamala city for monday night's sleep and then we fly out Tuesday. crazy that our guatemalteca trek is closing!