Cabelleriza

I just realized that I never published this post from when we went on the horseback riding tour. Sorry! This was one of the highlights of the trip for HV. That girl loves horses! So, here you go--one month after we did the ride.

I started this post yesterday/Wednesday, but my internet connection was spotty and I never could get it finished.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

This morning, HM, HV, and myself went for a ride. This wasn't just any ordinary ride. It was a ride on HV's most favorite animal, THE HORSE! HG stayed behind with A and had a great time. We rode for 2 hours and saw so much of God's beautiful creations. I don't know that these pictures will do it justice, but here's some (ok, lots of) photos from the day.

Coffee plants. There were tons of coffee plants on the trail. My horse, which seemed to eat the most while on the walk, did not care to eat leaves from the coffee plants. She would put them in her mouth but not pull them off of the plants, leaving them behind.

Avacado tree

Carrots growing

Beautiful view from our ride. Having been to Guatemala many times, this was not a "touristy" thing and I loved it! The girls did too.

I have no idea where these men and their horses were going. Occasionally, we would see people along the way like this, but I never saw any houses or anything that remotely resembled a dwelling place. Everyone was very friendly.

Another man we passed on the trail, carrying his heavy load on his back and his machete in his hand.

Looking back towards the city in which we currently live.

It was rather sunny and I did not stop my horse to take many photos so I simply had to hold the camera up and push the button, hoping it came out ok. You can tell from the photo, but the volcano on the left is puffing some smoke.

Vincente walked the entire time next to HM, leading her horse. He was very nice, always making sure we were all ok.

Heading down the trail between the maize. The horses would grab some of the corn stalks as we walked by and eat while walking. My horse in particular always seemed to want to eat.

After we rode through the trails, we ended up riding through this City. I don't know if it was because HV was riding this very big house by herself at the front or my white/blonde self that attracted the attention, but it like we were in the Macy's Parade. People coming out of their houses, waving, smiling, all very friendly. I thought it was rather funny to see these toothless little old ladies smiling and waving at us as they sold their produce on the side of the road.

This was the largest stallion there, Principe. He was gorgeous! In the stall next to him was Princesa. The two had mated but, from what I could gather between my "great" spanish was that Princesa had the baby yesterday and that the baby had died. Princesa was sad--you could see it in her eyes. I didn't photograph her, but she was almost as big as Principe and the same jetblack color.

trying to get close to the little philly you see in the background, but she wouldn't let them. This was as close as they were able to get.

Our tour guide's wife took this picture. She had never used a camera and so I had to give her a little lesson first. Not too bad for her first photo.

Ah! That's better! I picked up HM, thinking that it would make it easier for her to get us all in the photo. I think it worked!

Vincente, his wife, and their son, Julio Rafael

He was fascinated by seeing himself on my camera in the family shot and so I took his picture alone. While he isn't smiling in the photo, he sure did when he saw it!