i´m meeting people from all over the world. england, sweden, japan, all over the u.s. the guatemalans call people from the u.s. "estadounidense" which quite literally would be united states-er. the term "americano" is not used because in realidad both continents of north and south america is america, hence everyone is american.

the hot springs was so relaxing! wow. there was a large pool with naturally hot volcanic water, and then private bath rooms with even hotter water. i could only stay in there for less than 10 minutes. then the guide showed us the source of the water. amazing! it gets heated within these rock walls. u could also drink it, as it has so many minerals and no parasites. it cleanses your system and is good for your health. and so i filled up my bottle, but had to be careful because it´s hot. the water tastes lemon-y with a pinch of salt. my skin is so soft. i sound like a commercial...

ayer fui al parque central para reunirme con mi amiga liz. fuimos al mercado comercial porque quería comprar varios cosas y recuerdos. yo compré una camisa típica, una falda guatemalteca, una pelota de fútbol, una CD de marimba (música nacional de guatemala), y regalos para unos de mis amigos. liz también compró muchas cosas. estoy celosa de ella porque compró una camisola del equipo Xelajú. no tenía camisolas en mi talla. después, fuimos a visitar a otra amiga trisha. ella estaba aprendiendo... weaving. que suave! luego fuimos a cenar en un restaurante maya que se llama Utz Hua. mi maestro me dijo lo que significa, pero no me recuerdo. él habla k'iche, un idioma indígena de los mayas. de qualquier manera, yo ordené un plato de Quichom de pollo y bebí cerveza Gallo (la cerveza local). fue un día muy divertido ayer!

translation:
yesterday i went to the central park to meet with my friend liz. we went to the marketplace because i wanted to buy different things as well as souvenirs. i bought a traditional/indigenous woven shirt, a guatemalan skirt, a soccer ball, a CD of marimba music (traditional guatemalan music), and gifts for some of my friends. liz also bought lots of things! i´m jealous of her because she bought a jersey of the local soccer team here in xela called Xelajú. they didn´t have jerseys in my size. afterwards, we went to visit another friend trisha. she was learning weaving. how cool! later wee went to eat dinner at a mayan restaurant called Utz Hua. my teacher told me what it meant, but i don´t remember. he speaks k'iche, an indigenous mayan language. anyway, i ordered a plate called Quichom chicken and i drank Gallo beer (the local beer). it was a very fun day yesterday!