Our Beautiful Cottage On Lake Atitlan

We are quite satisfied with our elegant rental cottage in San Marcos, La Laguna, Solola. Courtney and Josh have worked hard for the last few months finding just the right setting for us. We have a young caretaker (guardian), Pascal, who lives on the grounds. A heavy, car-sized, steel security gate opens unto a steep, downward cobble stone drive to the house. A fence and tall, thick hedge surround our lush, carefully manicured property which runs into lovely Lake Atitlan. Just inside our lakeside entrance is gazebo with flower-covered, thatched roof. It’s fun watching the little passenger boats, with up to 18 locals and internationals, going to and fro all day long from San Marcos to Panajachel, San Pedro, Santiago and other quaint villages on the lake. When the whitecaps appear in the afternoon, these speedy, outboard water taxis with their chop-chop, flap-flap sounds break the silence of the lake. The little homemade fishing boats rock in obedience.

Our spacious, lush green lawn gets watered daily, as we have had only one rainfall since our arrival. Many varieties of colorful flowers, shrubs, and trees with huge leaves that fan in the gentle breeze qualify the estate for House and Garden Magazine. Coffee beans, bananas, avocados, limes, and jocote are abundant. On occasion, the afternoon the breeze can become quite brisk. It gathers its force over the lake and rolls in great waves to the shore and into our garden with a vengeance. Leaves and twigs and various fruits blow out of the trees with some landing on our tile roof. The guardian/caretaker rakes the grass almost every day after one of the “winds” visits us. The noon day temperature can be quite warm, but at three o’clock it begins to drop. By six o’clock one needs a sweater and a flashlight.

We are committed to doing what we can to help Courtney, Josh, Althea, and baby, Mirabai, without getting in the way. Althea loves being a helper and big sis, and when she chooses, she can make her way up and down the rugged streets to our house. One afternoon before the baby was born Josh and Courtney brought 13 little children from their school, Escuela Caracol, to our home for outside games and refreshments. Josh is a master at involving kids in fun activities. Most of these children have nothing but rocks and dirt to play on, so getting to run and frolic on a thick, green turf was a real treat. Courtney is getting stronger every day after her delivery on November 13. The baby is a healthy eater, sleeps most of the time, and when she is awake, she has a sweet, contented nature.