It's 2018?!?!

Time flies when you're having fun, and it's soooo true here in Panajachel! It's hard to believe another year has passed. Every day is summer. 😎

I decided late last night that I wanted to go out for New Year's Eve. There could have been rum involved -- I admit nothing! Bert came as my guide to the dark streets of Pana. We both agreed it's still kinda surreal to be out on New Year's Eve in shorts and tank tops. But it's much better than slogging through the snow and ice!

Santander. Pretty empty, actually. We found lots of folks later on, though.

The last stretch before the waterfront.

Here's everybody! The boardwalk was packed with people waiting for the fireworks to start.

Yay!!

Boom!

From somewhere behind us, maybe the big hotel, someone was releasing Japanese lanterns with live flames and everything. They were so magical! The two weird smears at the top of this picture are lanterns, plus various other fireworks going off on our side of the lake and the other!

What's so cool about fireworks in Guatemala is that there are no rules. Ha ha! It's not some organized, measured, safe display of fireworks in one place. It's all around you at all times! Balls of flames shoot past your face. Smoke and sparks dance at your feet. People shoot from the rooftops, from their balconies, from everywhere. It's joyous and mad and beautiful. It makes me laugh out loud every time. 😁

A short video will give you a much better idea of the lights and sounds of NYE 2017 in Panajachel, Guatemala!

You may have noticed that my blogging is getting a bit sparse. I am not finding as much time or motivation to do it as often as I used to. So, to keep you all happy and full of Guatemalan goodness, here are some Instagram accounts of my friends here!

The lovely Jen, who posts great pictures of the quirkiness of a life in Panajachel.
https://www.instagram.com/jenga_7/

Amazing Iva, my Canadian friend who is always there for me. Inspirational quotes and advice plus select pictures from her life.
https://www.instagram.com/amazingmemovement/

Dave, my imgur buddy, shares photos and humour from around Lake Atitlan and other places.
https://www.instagram.com/guatemaladave/

Have an awesome 2018, dear readers. Be excellent to each other!🎇💜🎉