A moving to Antigua, Guatemala

Once again, after a year and a half living in Barcelona, I decided to embrace a brand new adventure, I was about to live in Central America, Guatemala, in the former capital city, Antigua.

In Barcelona my life was good and some could say easy. Family was close by, friends were jumping in, we were enjoying Barcelona's sun, beach, culture and party. I built strong friendship there, rented an apartment I liked, I even started to have small habits. One was to pick up specialty coffee at Gràcia neighborhood every morning as a breakfast. It helped my brain motoring up and got my legs some stretching.

So, why would I move away from it? Making a life in a new country always required me energy, patience, and versatility. I found it to be similar to a leap of faith, or maybe more to a jump in the unknown. This is why, knowing that a nice life in Barcelona is waiting for me in a worst case scenario, made me feel secured, and gave me the confidence to try and take this beautiful risk.

How did I organize my cat's journey?

As a French citizen, I can travel to Guatemala without a specific visa and stay for 3 months. The paperwork needed for me can be thus summarized to my passport. HURRAH!

Yet, I am traveling with my adorable Bikini. Not that I want to share my taste in clothing, but my cat's name is Bikini.

And this little creature needed some administrative love. After contacting the Embassy of Guatemala I was told that she needed a "good health certificate" delivered by a vet, a chip - vaccines and anti parasite certificate, a passport and finally a travel certificate delivered by the Agricultural ministry of Spain.

Obtaining those prerequisites yielded to a Kafkaesque situation when, at the veterinarian office, the vet told me that Bikini was "a fat cat" while giving me the good health certificate stamped.

I therefore understand that she is a fluffy hairy cat, not "too" fat" to be considered healthy. Since then, I overuse this story to prove wrong all the honest folks who find Bikini a bit over weighted.

In the mean time, she is on a diet based on green beans. And one of the first thing I did when we arrived in Antigua was to search for those. After several unsuccessful exploration to supermarkets, I tried peas, and it did the trick. Always be creative, checked!

After all the administrative steps accomplished, I have to say, it left me with the impression that Bikini was more "legal" than I to enter Guatemala's territory.

With the green lights from the officials, I knew I could bring Bikini to travel with me in the airplane. For this I bought her tickets a couple of months ago, calling directly the airline company (still not possible to do it on line for pets). The trip was composed by 2 flights, first from Barcelona to Madrid, and then from Madrid to Guatemala City. To travel, Bikini had to be in a size fixed box, and would be under my feet the all time, 15h in total. MAMAMIA.

After the first flight, when landing in Madrid, Bikini peed in her box. Fortunately I put several layers of towel as protections, and we had a 2 hour stop at the airport. I brought her to a fully closed toilet, let her out of her box while I washed the towels in the sink with the airport hand soap, then I dried them with the toilet hand drier. Always be creative, double checked, Finally, we could take the second flight with a clean box and she staid quiet and relaxed the rest of the trip. She is so fantastic, thanks.

What did I bring with me?

As a fixed rule that I learnt the hard way: due to the lack of international & unified electricity standards, I don't bring domestic appliances, and limit as much as possible any electrical device.

For my personal comfort, I prioritize in my luggage the few objects I own, I know the strong positive impact they have on my day to day:

• A 90mm diameter Lens Telescope. To pack this beauty I had to find the right luggage where the telescope could fit in. In image, you'll find a perfect setup approved by a Satellite system engineers.

• A Marshall StandMore II loudspeaker. Listening music while working, good quality sound set up is very much appreciated.

• A Video Projector. I like it, yet it is always a challenge to find the right place for it.

• Some kitchen tools: Japanese knife, potato masher, peeler knife.

For pragmatism, knowing the climate and environment turned to be useful for choosing what to bring. For Guatemala, I was told buying casual cloth is easy, but sportive or specialist equipment is hard to find. Thus, I brought:

• Anti mosquito net, mosquito repellent spray.

• A Temperature & humidity mechanic sensor.

• Trek basic equipment.

For pleasure, When I see there is room for more, I generally use it for food. Each country has its own food culture, and it is sometimes impossible to find some of the sweets I am addicted to: French biscuits, Caramel au beur salé, Haribos bonbons.

I also like to read, and to limit the weight I brought an e-reader. This is totally new to me, let's see if I can get used to it.

How did I close my life in Barcelona?

Every time I move to a new place, I need to close my stuffs in the country of departure. Generally, it goes as closing contract with the water, electricity, bank, rent, insurances, telecommunication... At a more personal level, I sold and gave things I acquired during this year. For example, this is a picture of me, wandering in the streets of Barcelona in order to give a plant to a friend. I like those moments, as it combine gifts and turning a page, cleaning the room for a new departure.

I was extremely lucky to have friends who helped me with the Telecommunication company, and the check out of the apartment!

I could not achieve to close my internet services but keeping my phone line active without them. (my bank account and other services are still linked to this Spanish number. I think my bank hates me for changing numbers so often).

My arrival in Guatemala

At our arrival in Guatemala, a driver was waiting for us with a lovely sign, that caught the attention of everyone in the airport, who knows why.

I joined my life partner at our house that she just rent a day before.

Let's start this new adventure!