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...