Malena loves candy. And travel. And both together. And thus, this site was born.
Exactly two months ago was my last day of work. It was the last day I woke up in my own bed and ate breakfast in my own apartment. I’ve had some pretty amazing experiences since that day, and I still have sixteen months to go! Traveling seems to slow down time - I don’t notice days of the week anymore, and every day I see different things, meet new people, learn new and helpful Spanish words. When I look back at all I’ve accomplished since March 7th, my last day of work, I can’t believe I managed to squeeze it all into only two months! I guess not spending 40 hours a week at a job helps with that…
Some things I’ve done so far:
- Snorkeled with sharks in Caye Caulker
Stirring the Cajeta - Climbed pre-Aztec ruins at Teotihuacan
- Smelled cajeta cooking in a giant copper pot in Celaya
- Met and befriended relatives I didn’t know existed
- Learned enough Spanish to survive in Mexico and Guatemala
- Cruised on a boat through the jungle looking for crocodiles
- Drove through an icy upstate New York snowstorm, sliding on ice the entire time
- Said goodbye to parents, friends, and family for 18 months
- Biked down (and unfortunately, up) the mountains near San Cristobal de las Casas
- Watched the sun rise over the ruins of Tikal
- Made chocolate from cacao beans I gathered myself
- Found all seven churches in Celaya
- Ate a cricket
- Heard family stories about long-dead relatives who also loved to travel (and in whose footsteps I hope to follow in Egypt)
- Discovered a love of fresh watermelon juice
RIP - Rode a horse to San Juan Chamula where I saw chickens and Coca-Cola sacrificed inside a Catholic church
- Tried at least ten new kinds of bubble gum - all delicious!
- Celebrated Easter in Morelia
- Got seasick while searching for whale sharks in Placencia
- Suffered through a bacterial infection in Oaxaca
- Relaxed in a bungalow in the jungle overlooking Rio Dulce
- Bussed for literally days through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala
I wouldn’t yet say the travel has changed me, although I think I’m becoming more patient and more confident in meeting new people. One huge change has been my sleeping habits: I now generally sleep from 10PM-7:30AM, which is just crazy talk. I still pick onions off my food!
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Me and Grandma
posting from United StatesMay 7th, 2008 5:27 pm
I guess I wasn’t a tough enough boss, since you were only working 40 hours a week 
Keep up the writing!
posting from United StatesMay 7th, 2008 8:21 pm
When your 18 months are done your list will become a book. Are you finding more candy in Guatemala? Remember Mother’s Day!!
posting from United StatesMay 8th, 2008 6:07 am
I’m so jealous of your freedom from work and ability to devote so much time to exploring the world. Keep up the good work with the blog. It allows us monkeys here at work to travel vicariously through you.
posting from United StatesMay 8th, 2008 6:38 am
Malenita:
Hope you are well and it’s great to know that you are now in guatemala. that’s one country I would love to see. I hope you have enough space in your travel pack to squeeze in one of those beautiful hand embroidered and hand loomed blouses. Of course, I hope you also continue visiting Maya-Quiche sites. when you come back home, you will remember them as being incredible sites.
Speaking of back pack space… I forgot to take your new shoes back with me… do you still have them?
Leaving the farm at 3:30 tomorrow morning to pick up John and Karen. We will be flying to
New Orleans to celebrate with little Tey her graduation from Loyola. It will be nice to see Katie also and your parents and Dietrich. Will return on Monday. As to my address : 386 Old Mill Road , Friedens, Pa. 15541. Don’t worry, however, as to send me something for Mother’s Day. Just knowing you are having an interesting time is enough present for me. Love from Abuelita.
posting from United StatesMay 9th, 2008 7:29 am
If you haven’t passed it already- Semuc Champey is probably one of the most beautiful sites I’ve ever seen.
Take your time in San Pedro la Laguna! it’s a crazy fun town full of crazy fun people and far more entertaining than Panajachel!
Sorry for the unsolicited advice– Guatemala is just so beautiful and I’d hate for anyone to be there and miss out on anything!
posting from United StatesMay 10th, 2008 7:32 am
JamieO: Just got back from Semuc Champey (and yes, it is beautiful!!) so I will likely trust you on San Pedro as well.
Yossi: There seems to be a typo in my original post, I meant 60! 
Abuelita: Some of my shirts are getting pretty icky so I am hoping to replace them with a nice new cheap Guatemalan shirt… have fun in New Orleans!
posting from United StatesMay 10th, 2008 4:22 pm
Congrats on 2 months, Malena! I hope the rest will be equally exciting for you.
Swimming with sharks…what an experience among the rest of your trip so far, I bet! I don’t know if I’d ever get the courage. Haha
As always, safe travels and keep us posted!
posting from United StatesMay 12th, 2008 5:37 pm
I came across your site from everything everywhere. I’ve loved reading about your adventure and the candy! I travelled through Central America in 2004 and now my boyfriend and I are leaving on our RTW trip in June - first stop Honduras! Perhaps our paths will cross. Happy travels!
posting from GuatemalaMay 13th, 2008 4:47 pm
Heh, I’ll be in Honduras then! I’ll keep an eye out for you
posting from United StatesMay 13th, 2008 9:34 pm
Hi Malena-
It sounds like you’ve had an amazing 2 months! I think your trip is so inspiring- the rest of us are suckers for sticking with our boring 40 hour a week jobs. I look forward to reading about the rest of your adventures!
Kim
posting from United StatesMay 16th, 2008 9:14 am
16 MORE MONTHS TO GO!
May 7th, 2008 5:15 pm
Wow two months! It has been really fun following you along. Can’t wait for the rest. Libby says HI!