We headed back to Comalapa for a last (for now!) hello, a last (for now!) goodbye, and to collect the other half of our belongings.

Chairman Meow

In the three short weeks we had been gone, Pistolera’s ears folded forward with almost comical perfection.

Independence Day was nearing, and Comalapa pulled out all the stops as a pretty long parade of all the schoolchildren marched through town. Each school followed a unique theme, and we spent about twenty minutes watching the kids march by.

Semana Santa, Holy Week, complete with an alfombra (carpet)

A mini Semana Santa float

The road to Chimiyá and a goodbye crew. Note the kitten standing at the front of the gang.

We arrived in Antigua greeted by much festivity. Independence Day (September 15) was the next day, and the city was filled with many of these groups running with flaming antorchas, torches, presumably running from city to city …and blowing a lot of whistles.

I could almost read the newspaper article on our street-food tortilla

Independence Day parade with Volcán de Agua in the background

My cousin Pamen came from Guatemala City for a short visit with her daughter Mariana

Parade crowds

We went to a pizzeria situated right next to some church ruins.

Last meal before a two-day separation as Julien climbed Acatenango, and I stayed in Antigua to rest.