Vanagon Journey

I’ve started looking for a more permanent place to stay so I can bring my kids to visit, and it’s important for me to be able to run and swim every morning. Naturally, the coast is calling my name—I love the ocean and beaches, so it makes sense. I decided to begin with the nearest spot, El Paredón, which people here in Antigua rave about, especially for surfing. Learning to surf has been on my list, so I figured it was a perfect match. The journey started with a chicken bus from Antigua to Escuintla, which set me back $20. From Escuintla, I caught a van to Puerto San José for another $20, and the final leg was a bumpy tuc tuc ride—a motorcycle rickshaw that felt more like an amusement park ride than a taxi—that cost $150. The ride was crazy, and I’ve got some videos to upload that capture just how wild it was.  Luckily after speaking with some locals I found a bus that went directly to Antigua with AC for $110. Once I arrived, I stayed with a local woman whose beach house I’d heard...

Today, I had the privilege of meeting with the head of the American Legion here in Antigua, and I was truly inspired by the work they’re doing. They’re not only making a real impact by delivering bags of food to remote villages in the mountains, but they’re also building playgrounds to bring joy to local children. I’m honored to have been added to their newsletter and look forward to jumping in and contributing wherever I can. I also crossed paths with Stefan Joyner, a remarkable individual who’s using shipping containers to create innovative structures like hotels and small medical facilities. His company, SteelCraft Guatemala (steelcraftgt.com), is transforming how we think about sustainable building in this region. Stefan and I are already brainstorming ways we can collaborate on future projects, and I’m excited about the potential we have to make an even bigger impact together. Stay tuned for updates as I dive into these amazing opportunities and continue working to uplift the comm...

Today was a day full of connections and nature's surprises. I've been fortunate to connect with the local fire chief here in Guatemala. He's been an invaluable resource, helping me navigate the maze of rules and regulations we’ll need to follow as we set up our nonprofit. His deep understanding of the local community, coupled with his network, is going to be a tremendous help as we move forward. In the afternoon, I took a hike up to Cerro de la Cruz with a friend. The climb was worth every step—the views from the top were absolutely breathtaking. Antigua lay stretched out beneath us, with its colorful rooftops and cobblestone streets weaving a picturesque landscape against the backdrop of towering volcanoes. On our way back down, we got caught in one of those sudden Guatemalan rainstorms—a torrential downpour that soaked us to the bone. But instead of being a nuisance, the warm rain felt almost magical. There's something incredibly freeing about getting drenched in a pl...

Last night was nothing short of magical. I had the privilege of spending time with a local woman who allowed me to record her making Pepian, a traditional Guatemalan dish that's rich with history and flavor. It was a beautiful moment—capturing the essence of this culture through food. We sat down to enjoy the Pepian with some of the workers here, and it was nothing short of fantastic. After the meal, we gathered around a fire under the glow of a massive blue moon. The sky was clear, and the moon was breathtakingly large and bright—a sight that truly captivates the soul. As we watched the flames flicker, we howled at the moon like wolves, feeling connected to something bigger, something primal. I took some incredible pictures of the moon that night, and I’ve built a page to share them with you. Click here to check them out. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this! Adelante!

 As I’ve spent more time getting to know the people at the campground, I’ve noticed that some real honesty is finally coming out. One man I’m becoming good friends with has been upfront with me, and I’m grateful for it. It turns out that my rice and beans—something I’ve been cooking for myself and happily sharing—haven’t exactly been a hit. Apparently, my beans are too hard, and while I love the simplicity of rice and beans, they see it differently. To them, it's just another meal they already eat every day. I get it now—the “great white savior” feeding them the same thing they’re used to doesn’t feel special. That said, I’m still going to keep making my rice and beans for myself. I love it, and it’s a good way to stay grounded and keep things simple for my own meals. But I want to switch things up for the people around me, so I’m diving into some classic American dishes that might offer them something different. I’m thinking of cooking up some mac and cheese, sloppy joes, grilled ...

After a few days of battling what everyone told me was Dengue Fever, which they said would keep me down for weeks and only get worse, I can’t even begin to explain how grateful I am to have bounced back so quickly. There were moments when I could barely walk to refill my water bottles, holed up in my van without the energy to eat. But somehow, I made it through. I’m fully back to health now, ready to hit the ground running again—though I can’t help but keep in mind that Dengue might still be lurking in the future. Back in action, I’m working on an exciting new project with a good friend of mine in the States. He runs a tutorial site where people subscribe to learn all kinds of things, from quick guitar lessons to practical skills. Together, we’re going to highlight an entire section dedicated to classic Guatemalan cooking. I’m planning to work with some of the amazing local women here, filming them as they teach how to make traditional meals. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to...