Antigua - You Have My Heart

Antigua. I didn't intend to come here initially, then booked for three weeks and ended up staying five. And it was the best decision I could've made. Learning Spanish, recharging my batteries and getting to know the town even more than before were my primary objectives when booking my trip to Antigua. I knew beforehand that I would have a great time here, given it was my fourth time visiting but I did not expect it to be this incredible.

A big part of it has, of course, to do with Maria, who, as a local Antiguena, showed me a different side of Antigua. Or more specifically, we showed each other the way each of us see's Antigua through our eyes. She showed me the local side of things while I showed her why I love the town so much and what a typical traveler sees and experiences in Antigua.

Its vibrant but not too busy vibes, an explosion of colours everywhere I look, a great palette of culinary options (local and international), photo opportunities around every corner, a condensed but fun-filled nightlife, a unique and absolutely stunning scenic backdrop (three volcanoes in sight of the town, one active) and the countless opportunities of things to do here from volcano hiking, to feeling like a hobbit, to rooftop hopping, etc.

All I can say is that it was simply magical. Exploring old and new places, going to all sort of different local restaurants and bars, eating and drinking stuff that I had no idea existed (shrimps on a beer, carnitas, chicken with coca-cola sauce (tbd), etc) and spending a weekend in a cabin in the woods with a jacuzzi and fireplace together really made my time in Antigua incredibly special.

I fell in love with Antigua even more than before and than I thought I could, lost a bit of my heart to Maria and will look back at my time here with a big smile, a happy and teary eye and a soul filled with countless beautiful memories that will last me a lifetime.

So, thank you, Maria, for being you, for being such an incredible person that I had the privilege to get to know over four weeks and for letting me share my wonderful time here in Antigua with you. To me, you made Antigua even more special than it already was. I have definitely left some of my heart in Antigua with you.

Sometimes, people ask me what my favorite place in the world is and why. And it is so difficult to explain or to put in words. I would describe it as being constantly in awe about it, lots of things to experience/see/do, feeling peace within yourself, finding people in the town that do not just merely exist/work but celebrate life, imagining what it would be like to live there (happily), maybe get a sense of familiarity/home, and wanting to come back here time and time again.

For me Antigua is exactly that. And that is why it is my favorite place in the entire world!Leggi altro