Day Two: All Around Antigua, Guatemala

I woke up early and decided to let Lulu sleep while I explored Antigua before the shops and tourists  arrived.  I grabbed a coffee and took a walk-about of our hotel, Casa Santa Domingo, to begin with.

There is a candle workshop...

...art everywhere, and artisans hard at work…

…carpet of beans...

  

…a church…

…and church bells...

…and special preparations being made for the season of Lent.

Then I went outside the arches of the hotel to stroll around the village in the quiet morning, taking care not to stumble on the cobblestone streets as I carried my second cup of coffee with me…

Of the three volcanoes that surround Antigua, this one is the most "commanding" - Volcan de Agua or "Volcano of Water" stands over 12,000 feet tall.

…gardens in bloom everywhere...

...windows decorated for Lent...

Back at the hotel I woke up Lulu to have breakfast at the hotel restaurant - fresh tortillas from the grill!

We went into the hotel's gardens for today's Lindsay and Lace (Lindsayandlace.com) photo shoot…

After lunch we became Dollie Ambassadors!  We had brought a whole suitcase of handmade dollies and teddy bears created by the ladies of Dollies Making A Difference (Dolliesmakingadifference.org). During my early morning walk I had passed by the Escuela Luis Mena Antigua, an elementary school practically connected to our hotel. I decided this would be a perfect recipient spot for Dollies.

When Lulu and I showed up at the school's front gate, the children were just being dismissed for lunchtime but the principal welcomed us with open arms.  The children LOVED the dollies and teddys…and we LOVED handing them out.  

After this incredibly rewarding experience (Dollies motto is: "To Give is to Receive"!) I continued wandering the streets of Antigua, while Lulu did fashion-duty poolside, posting Instagrams…

 Tomorrow Lake Atitlan!