Felicia does central

It was a Monday, and the first day of the Easter celebration week, 'Semana Santa'. Sublime was open and it was planned to be a beach party with beach volley ball, dj beach set, and pool toys for the lake. First walking down the street to sublime I see Jodie and paco arriving back in to town on motorbike after being away for far too long in Xela. The arrivals continued with the next being max and Heidi which was a brilliant high vibe return. Come sometime after midday and Chanae arrived with squeals of excitement from me and Jodie. We ditched our duties of preparing the beach party and headed over to our apartment block which was now shared between me, Jodie, Chanae; along with a few others who we both loved (Aaron) and loathed (Helen). I got an incredible huge care package from home, and we all laughed at the hilarious hand written letter from my mum, Marce. We got straight into things, and soon enough as the day turned into night, we headed back to sublime and partied the night away. When the fatal closing time song came on and all the guests left, the staff and friends stayed behind, and me and Chanae got behind the bar. A great time for a trial shift thought Chanae, absolutely trollied at 2am. Ferny loved it as we poured him triple fireballs. Me and Chanae were running a muck and serving drinks to all our friends over the counter until all the standard mixed drinks were gone; so I got a pot from the kitchen and made a punch surprise! At the end of the night we went up to our mate's place where as we tried to fall asleep, but with the San Pedro plague, we began a symphony of coughing fits. 

Chanae cracked the shits and I'd never seen such a dramatic over-reaction as she (now hilariously) carried on, having an absolute meltdown, and then went and slept on his balcony at the front door "like a dog" until neighbouring Ferny put a blanket on her. A traditional hectic funny first night spent in the Pedge, it wouldn't happen any other way. When we woke bright and early, I was rough as hell, and still drunk. We all went home to my place where we all ate vegemite toast, and drank Gatorade before I was begrudgingly dragged from laying on the cool floor tiles (fireball hangovers are THAT bad) back to sublime. We all jumped in the lake in an attempt to shock the hangover out. Ferny just had some hammocks fitted down at the beach so me jodes and Chanae spent the entire day lazing our hangover off in the hammocks. A quick costume change at home, and it was back to sublime to enjoy the new special seafood menu for Easter. We called it an 'early night' where we left just before closing time, (a very rare occasion) and retired home for snuggles, and copious amounts of munchies in my bed.

Wednesday morning and I of course took Chanae to the infamous Paca, where we bought some food for the week and of course indulged with a bunch of new (second-hand) clothes. It was on this trip to the paca that I found Jodie a dressing gown. Not just any dressing gown. But, the Mit. It would complete the three of us with our sexy winter Nanna dressing gowns for when we are chilling at home... Or not. I wasn't scared to wear my kangasnuggy to the tienda or the banditos. Little did we know then how much light the Mit would bring to our lives. We came home from the market where I cooked up a storm, and the three amigas had aho for breakfast and went to sublime where we hang in the hammocks all day. We spent hours in the same position in stitches and tears of laughter to the point that I pulled a rib. We enjoyed a bottle of champagne because I always love me some champagne showers on days like these. Marcus and Ferny waited on us, delivering cocktails and pizza - Marcus con queso. Some time had passed and I went on a mission and decided to kidnap Ferny. We bought him into our lair of hammocks and he passed out. I wrote on his chest "todos gratis for life for Kassie Chanae and Jodie" and sent a photo into the staff chat. We then held him hostage for fireball shots which was a quick and easy exchange. But don't despair Alex, we know you're worth more. Funnily enough everyone had been "looking for him" for hours yet no one came and checked on the beach where the biggest ratbags in town were hiding out. However, in San Pedro "looking" simply equates to "wondering". We are a bunch of lazy folk, we won't deny it. In fact, we are proud of it. In the evening we got the delicious Alegre pie and watched a gig at sublime. We then alternated between there and that checking on Marcus and fernies pulses' because they had cooked themselves early and then passed out. We ground controlled the situation (and of course took novelty photos to their detriment). It's was a little rainy and we weren't vibing off the big city crowds in town that night, so we got munchies and went home to bed.

Thursday we went to a cafe for breakfast and did some errands followed by watching shameless episodes (the only show I follow and love) at my place with Marcus and Chanae. They both passed out beside me while I was glued to the computer screen with with bated breath. Later that night, waking up to an alarm at 9pm to go out (as you often do after an afternoon sleep), we met down at sublime to catch our pals. Max and Heidi were buzzing and next minute we had been roped into another aho adventure! There was meant to be an after party that night, but after the guest band that played, police were clearing people out and we all got split up. Me, Jodie and Chanae were back at mine topping up getting ourselves rightly done, and went on an adventure walking the streets in our novelty onesies with popcorn and m&ms looking at the starts while laying in the middle of the road. I think we forgot we were looking for our pals or an after party. Before sunrise I headed home to sleep while Chanae and Jodie ran riot in town and tried to steal kayaks.

We woke up on Friday afternoon and went to sublime for recovery Pizza. Me and Chanae stayed out and ate lots of aho, and then got super wobbly. I totally fucked myself up. The bar was packed and we started to help clean up for free drinks until I hit a wall and had to get out of there fast. I hate feeling out of control and with half a dozen vodka red bulls now added in the mix, I could feel myself loosing control so I was out! I went to go up to Marcus place which was the closest to sublime but I Couldn't get in (even though he told me where the key was... or gave me the key... I can't be sure because regardless, by the time I got there - I forgot) so I passed out in ferny's bed. Next thing I know I am woken up to him and Marcus shaking me to see if I was alive. We all had a laugh, but I barely was. I was trollied. I stumbled into Marcus bed until I could see and walk straight come early morning where he then walked me home. What a top pal. No man left behind. When I woke up at my place in the afternoon, I regrouped at sublime, ate delicious lunch at clover with Chanae and then we went to the Banditos, where everyone was painting signs of scrap wood and putting them up around the garden. This is where I wrote 'a good sign'. I wanted to stay in and enjoy pottering on my hangover, but I got roped into sublime where it was completely packed. We ended up having an after party at kitto's where we all got even more done. Me and Jodie sat in the hoopla hoop safe zone, until me and the girls went back to mine to watch blades of glory at 4am where we all eventually passed out.

On Sunday we went for dinner at the italian restaraunt as a surprise for Chris birthday. Following we headed into sublime where it was just me and Chanae. We were winging for each other, and she had been making eyes with a cutie so I went with her where we all met, and hung out by the fire. Who would have known then that the boy Chanae was chatting to, would become one of our bestest friends in guatemala. Luigi, my homie. At the end of the night I went to Ross' place with a few friends. We stayed on the rooftop drinking by candlelight. A couple of us went on an adventure to the other end of town trying to find an after party but ended up just smoking on the jetty before heading back to the roof. Here a surprising rooftop kiss would lead into what would become a buzz of a next couple of weeks, forging some new friendship dynamics and adventures outside of San Pedro. 

It was now Monday and the day for the long awaited staff party at sublime. It was crazy dress so I went home, first to Chanae's room where we both had a cack. A floor below and Jodie and Paco were already dressed in outfits they found at the paca early that morning. Paco was wearing a cushioned bummed borat-style speed bicycle suspender pants and a Hawaiian shirt and a cowboy hat. Today was going to be a good day. Jodie gave me an incredible long sleeved brightly coloured  puffy vested 80's dress with bow tie and shoulder pads. We all finalised our finest outfits, Aaron rode me downtown on a motorbike where Chanae Jodie and paco followed on paco's bike. When we got there, the vibes were high. We arrived to an applause and roars of of laughter at our outfits. We hit the bar which was open (help-yo-self) and started to Party. The obligatory group photo on the bar got out of the way and we hit the party treats, and enjoyed an awesome lunch thanks to Diego including an incredible chocolate cake. It was all fun and games until Alex got thrown off the balcony (a fateful tradition which I would hope now stops) and ended up being taken straight to hospital. We were all were beside ourselves and closed up the bar and everyone straightened up. All lost and confused, most of us pals went back to the banditos where everyone ended up getting super high and just consoled each other and putting out good vibes for Ferny. Chanae went to Zoola and I stayed in a cuddle puddle, hanging with the pals and up to Aaron's room where things got weird when some awkward girl started sexy dancing ("but I'm wearing bathers so it's not sexy").

Tuesday morning I woke up and went to the to the markets for flowers for Ferny, and Rhi made a gift basket that we took down to kitto to pass on, and we got updates on his treatment. A few stitches and an abundance of bruising, he was going to make a full recovery. Well, you know, for Kevo! Tuesday night we had a family dinner of fish and chips at the banditos, Wednesday - not sure, after the events I lost track of some details but I'm sure we probably drank Quetzalteca and partied at my place for the afternoon and party the night away in sublime. Thursday was dress like a pirate day at sublime, I had to work and was so incredibly tired and hungover. When Chanae and I finished work, we went on a triple date with Jodie and the boys to the pub and got our traditional pie dinner! We headed back for a pre party at ours where we drank Quetzalteca and partied at sublime.

Friday, Chanae treated my hair for nits - devastated. They were going around town and it was my fateful luck that they discovered the jackpot with my long locks. We visited Lolita, got the wobbles and another  big bottle of quetzalteca and had a party at my place. We had a killer fun night to alessi's killer DJ set at sublime DANANA NANANA NANANA NANANA NA, DANANANANANA OKAY!!!!!! I Bought a tonne of alcohol before the bar closed and went back to our place for an after party with all our new friends keeping it under wraps from the general public. Our roomie Aaron also bought a party crew back with people we didn't know, and we had (controversial) seperate parties - one upstairs and one downstairs. We stayed up all night partying, laughing, and breaking chairs - Alec! We starting putting the boys to bed as they were blaggered, and I stayed up laughing with the girls and talking with melly all night and morning. As I prepared to go to bed at 9.30 am, Kim woke up and so we grabbed a packet of chips and some beers and started all over again. Ross' parents were cooking a family roast for everyone so we got our shit together very slowly and the way wen to our friends place Luke's where we had an awesome roast and red wine. What a delicious family meal with our adopted parents, and then Home to bed for 13 hours sleep. Sunday, had my treated for nits again and went for a bbq at smoking joes for James last day, we bought MAS Quetzalteca and visited lolz on the way home and drank and had a small party at mine. Off to sublime for our last Sunday night. Andy played Chet faker on open mic which was brilliant. Nailed it Andy!

Monday we decided that we would go to Antigua on an adventure! We ate lunch at Zoola and had a small nap post food and then woke In time for dinner at Buddha bar for Ross parents last night. Straight back to bed. Tuesday woke up and finished packing for Antigua had brunch with friends and farewelled the sublime crew and left at 2pm. We got to Antigua around 6pm and before even getting off the shuttle, a friend saw and recognised me and I was tackled in the street! We popped into the hostel where my Ye olde San Pedro pals were working until luis and laura came to meet us, and take us out. I had to be the party pooper and canned the night due to some excruciating back pain. Luis took us to a friends place for the night which happened to be an incredible mansion. I was in agony, so I went straight to bed.

Wednesday we woke up to the lovely house during the day. How lucky we were! We drank a lovely blend of tea and Chanae massaged my bum cheeks! We had breakfast at rainbow cafe, and then I was convinced to get a needle in my bum for the back pain, which ended up being the best thing ever! We had luis' friends pick us up in their ute, and we went off for an adventure to hobbitinango. We enjoyed an incredible view of the surrounding volcanoes, and had some delicious snacks and beer. We drove back to Antigua and had a family dinner at a fried chicken restaurant - my favourite! We got changed and then headed out for the night. Starting at lucky rabbit where I was introduced to the delicious chewbacca shot that was topped with fried bacon! We then went to las vibras where Chanae got white girl wasted. We then had the pizza ordeal! Hahaha oh Felicia! It was before midnight and Luis drove us safely to Guatemala City. Here we stayed at his friends place, who again, would become some wonderful friends to us, and I love dearly! We were in a prime part of town (KFC, Burger King and McDonald's all surrounding) oh, and amazing views of the city. Thursday morning Kim left early, flying home to Denmark, and it was down to the three amigos! Me, Luigi, and Felicia! We woke for wake and bake with Andrea before she left for work, and we stayed in and watched Netflix and chilled!!!! With everywhere doing home delivery, we ordered a tonne of food and didn't need to leave the couch. We watched some great documentaries before we began drinking in the evening. That night we went to secret garden around midnight. Here, I had an epic run in with my friend melly from the lake, as well as two others! They were all so surprised to see me out of the lake! We came home at 4/5am in the morning where I stayed up with jp and allessi and had an alessi breakfast, and didn't have any sleep, just chilling and listening to tunes.

As Saturday got on, me and the boys rotated our way around the lounge room. From seats to floor and back to the seats... The house would slowly wake up and slowly congregate around in the lounge where we really eased into the evening for the pool party. We arrived at around 11pm where upon parking, Laura's car broke down. She parked it up and we hoped for the best; Tomorrows problem. There was a sweet set of DJs and an awesome set up. It was Freezing and far too cold for the pool. We stayed up dancing and chilling all night and then we moved across the road for a little bonfire just before sunrise. For sunrise it was alessi's set and all the tunes he plays we now know and love. He pumped 'Okay' where I busted out on the driveway, dancing to JP Andrea and Manual sitting by the pool - we just hit next level.... Again! I started drinking beer for breakfast. Next thing we know it's super hot so me and JP jumped through hoops into the pool and that's where we stayed for the next hour or two though it Didn't feel like long but we all got super red hot burnt. Chanae and I laid in our pool rings while JP waited on us, providing all the drinks and treats that we desired. I passed out for a little bit in a make shift bed made from pool chair covers made by JP before I Woke up and partied a little more. It wasn't until the evening when it fell darkand we all left. Laura's car broke down on the way home and so we waited an hour or so for a taxi to come and take us home. It felt like the longest time ever! I couldn't even nibble on the chicken nuggets Chanae bought me before passing out.

Waking up the next day after 11 hours sleep, I enjoyed my cold chicken nuggets for breakfast and watched Netflix before anyone woke up. Laura went out and cooked us pasta for lunch and we were complete couch potatoes for the entire day. We all fell asleep watching movies in the evening, a big recovery day!

Tuesday we woke up and got dropped at the mall where me and Chanae hung for the day. It had been months since I'd been to a shopping centre so it spun me out a little. We smashed some Chinese food and a McFlurry and shopped for gifts for our new friends who were so mind to let us stay with them. In the evening we decided to go bar hopping around the city. We stopped at a couple of bars and kidnapped JP early from work before we went to the final bar for the night, Mr fish. Here we were standing around having a dance and a drink when all of a sudden gunshots were fired directly across the road and everyone dropped to the floor; except me and Chanae. We stood there just looking at each other, trying to compute what was going on, before hitting the deck. No one was shot and no one was harmed. Police patrolled the street, constantly driving up and down and Laura decided it would be best if we left. We went to diegos place for an after party which turned into an all nighter of us listening to music between the lounge and the beat room. We all tried to have a little nap on the couch around midday which didn't last for very long before we scooted off home. It was a Wednesday and we arrived back in the afternoon where all I could stomach was fruit before heading to bed for a nap. I was pleasantly woken to have bucket bongs in the lounge room and a delicious family dinner cooked by our hosts and then netflix and chill before all passing out.

Thursday we woke up for wake and bake and watched Netflix. We went out like a tourist in the city and shopped at thrift stores like a boss picking up some great weed pants, t shirt, and a brand new pair of doc martens. On the way home we stopped at kfc where I had the best KFC in my life! It had been more months than I could count since I'd indulged in my filthy favourite! Followed, we Went home and lazed in our new clothes and then slowly got ready for the night. We smoked two huge blunts and got super super high from this super expensive kush that we bought. When we shared the third one, all sitting around dressed to go out, we decided to call it a night and can going out! We all snuggled into couch with a tonne of munchie food and watched horror movies (which I truly dislike and so I tried to ignore while trying to occupy myself with Facebook). When I toddled off to bed at some stage from falling asleep on the couch, I had trouble sleeping. I woke during the night with what I would find out was 'sleep paralysis' which scared the hell out of me! 

Friday I woke up around 10am and went into the lounge room for Netflix as I waited for Chanae and luis to wake up. We ate breakfast while luis offered his ideas for the grand plan for the day. At 2pm one of luis friends picked us up in his pimp New FJ and drove us to Antigua. We just visited for the day where we enjoyed some spectacular Italian pizza at 7a Norte restaraunt - what an incredible restaraunt/bar. Me and Chanae went to the paca which was too expensive,so we just picked up a extra couple of things each, considering we were staying much longer than anticipated in the city. We got back to our city home in the evening and pre drank at the house before going to secret garden for an event at midnight. We stayed until close at 4.30am and went back home where we couldn't sleep. Me and Chanae stayed up in bed all day listening to old school music and having giggles before we had a truck load of KFC delivered. And then, we did the same thing all afternoon into the evening where we finally fell asleep at 10pm.

Sunday morning and we sadly packed our bags for Antigua. Andrea and Manuel had become our family and their home became our home. It was so sad to leave, but we were so lucky to be there for as long as we were. We ate lunch at lava in Antigua, which escalated quickly into a Sunday fun day with luis' friends. Me and Chanae kept popping out to window shop and book our shuttle and when we came back in the early evening, the boys were tanked! We walked into a grave site of wasted people and found it so funny how it escalated so much when we were out. We tried to catch up a little before we left and just got started before we went to the lucky rabbit. Here we ran into some friends where we were having a ball. We went VIP in the staff room and weren't sure how we should spend our last night. Chilling or partying.... As more of our friends stayed with us we didn't want to leave in the slightest, however we felt obligated to as we're staying at luis' friends place and he wanted to go home. When we got back there, me Chanae and Luis sat on the roof telling funny stories about the trouble we used to get up to until 2am. The three of us shared a pull out sofa in the lounge and snuggled until the fateful alarm sounded. We had the 7.45am shuttle back to San Pedro. Two weeks to the day, partying in the city and Antigua was the greatest time ever. We made soo many more wonderful friends, and a tonne of fun experiences up our sleeve. it was incredibly sad to leave. Considering I could never see the day I would leave San Pedro, now I was sad to go back. I felt like I was definitely ready to move on, after this first journey outside of the Pedge prove to be such a wicked one. We arrived back in the Pedge at midday. It was hot day and when we arrived we saw our crew with a very warm welcoming home. We witnessed Ferny's cat ceviche, give birth to three kittens and then went to fe for the night, where we watched fear and loathing in Las Vegas on the big outdoor cinema. 

The next three days we just pottered about, settling back in temporarily and catching up with our pals. On 4/20 me and Chanae were getting ready for the celebration when our crew of max, Heidi and Ferny came over. Here we had Opium for breakfast and got all dressed up for sublime, where we hung in the corner all day smoking blunts and cuddling the new kittens. We ate heaps of food and then spent the afternoon at the banditos cuddling puppies and watching episodes of the office. We Continued to eat the world before heading home to sleep.

Thursday was a crazy day where Chanae's phone was stolen right under our noses by one of the workers on the roof at our apartment. She confronted the rotten kid and went into his pockets where she recovered the phone. Lucky she has balls! In tradition, we went to the Alegre pub to eat a pie where we advised to stay. We were headed to sublime however it was being raided by the police. Here a huge attempt at a drug sting, and all they found was a couple of joints in the pocket of one of our good friends pinky. She was taken to a women's holding facility awaiting trial. What a shit show. 

Friday was the first day of work for me and Chanae together. There was no hot water at home so we boiled a pot of water and had a bird bath! Busy day at sublime as we were the only staff on for the day. Thankfully we had a good crew of guests where we made friends who sat at bar chill with us all day. When we knocked off, we joined them on the other side of the bar and drank with them in the evening. We stayed at sublime for the night where band played. Jodie arrived back from California at half midnight. We all got super excited and super wasted. When we came home max and Aaron were there drinking. We stayed up for a while but it was strange circumstance so I toddled off to bed at 5am. 

Saturday I woke up and went to brunch with the girls at 1pm at el barrio. Always a great meal and an even better catch up on the two weeks we had apart. We all fell into a deep food coma where it was necessary we all went home for a nap. Such a tough life. I Cooked a delicious salad for myself and the girls, and then went to sublime where a rad funky band was playing. We ditched going to the after party, and came home to make a feast before things took a turn for the worst. Our scitzophrenic, bipolar, husband killing drug addict psychopath neighbour Helen had created a murder scene. The fruit loop had cut her wrists and filled bags of blood and then poured her blood all over the walls and the floors of her room, and the hall, and the bathroom. I called the landlord who then had the police and ambulance arrive and carry the stupid bitch out and roughly clean the place. All we wanted to do was come home and cook mash potato but good old Helen had to fuck shit up. We went to  max and Heidi's rooftop and watched over at our apartment until we could go back at 4.30am. Our apartment stunk and blood stains which hadn't been completely cleaned still marked the floors. Despite us having absolutely no emotion over the crazy bitches behaviour or wellbeing, the blood stains and smells were haunting.

We had to be up after hardly any sleep where we would be visiting pinky at Solola, She was in high spirits and told us about her experience on 'the inside' before visiting hours were over and we had to head back to San Pedro for work (but of course not before we ate friend chicken). We Started our flyer shift on aho. We did a round or two before giving up and retiring to the hammocks on the beach. We were having a hilarious time and escalated into full pest mode when we went to kidnap Ferny (again). This time not so successfully as we became the captives in his dungeon Jodie became a wizard. We finished the night at sublime where me and Chanae chilled out, dancing, chatting a fm having a good time and Ye olde jodes fucked shit up! When the three amigas trekked home, we all had a d&m before bed at 5am until we were woken at midday to construction - standard.

That afternoon, Helen came back and we all hid in my room while she cleaned her place out. The stupid cow had been evicted before but this time it was for good. Surprisingly though she obviously hadn't completed her current round of rampage in the Pedge as she moved to the apartments right across from us. And we were scared. An evil, malicious and deadly woman. We locked our doors and had our landlord reassure us that we would be safe and if she came back the police would be called right away. On the way to sublime to cook brownies, we got a burger from Andy, and chilled the day away. In the evening I cooked up a three course meal con vino Tinto and we ate brownies for dessert and fell asleep watching a movie. 

The Next day I woke up and pottered around the apartment, transferring photos to/from electronic devices and face timing loved ones. I cooked up another feast for me and Chanae while Jodie and paco went to Solola where Pinky got released. The next day and me and Chanae were the day crew, we knocked off at six and then went home and hung out with pinky <3 it was back to sublime and close call with police lurking around, trying to catch pinky breaking curfew. There was a small afterparty for Pinkys release but by the time we got there it was all broken up so we went back home to my room for a room party until 3am.

Luis was arriving Thursday afternoon and we were so excited to be reunited. We had the Alegre pub pie and went to sublime for a wobbly night. It was a Killer funk set by fernylicious who Absolutely killed it on the decks. Everyone was having an incredible night dancing up a storm until the music stopped suddenly, so we presumed the police must have shut us down.... Nope, way to early for that.... Turns out Ferny pulled the plug on himself and went for a little nap on the deck! Me and Chanae carried him home and set him up a bucket before taking obligatory novelty photos and then had an after

PArty back at our place.

Friday would be our last day in San Pedro and paco cooked us breakfast. I Pottered around and packed before we went to sublime for our last night. We had a M night and the band played until the Music stopped before closing time due to cops. Douche cops ruining the closing time song tradition, especially on our last night! We sat around the bar after close and Smoked a cigar which I had been holding onto for a special occasion since Cuba. We then had a sweet crew for an after party at our place. Jonny passed out and we put everything possible on top of him and took an abundance of photos. Max raised the bar by shaving off half an eyebrow and me and Chanae nearly wet ourselves in Laughter.... In fact, I'm pretty sure a little wee came out. Around 6am and Max and I watched the sunrise over the lake before I hightailed to bed for a couple hours of sleep. In the morning we scooted around town trying to book a shuttle which we had truly left until the very last minute. Luckily enough, half a dozen of our friends decided to join us on our journey out of San Pedro and to Antigua. It was Alessi's birthday and he was having a party at "the pool" in Antigua so what a better way to transition our way from San Pedro. We created the best shuttle in our history, filled with friends and lots of treats. 

K and aho, Jodie removed the fly screen from the window where we smoked cigarettes and joints in the shuttle while coming up with so much banter involving the mit. That's when it got a life of its own. Tripping off the bus, we checked into hostel and met up with our friends upstairs at the bar. We headed to to pool party for allessi's birthday with super high vibes. An empty pool with dj set up, speaks and a bar surrounded by a grass field and views of volcanoes. Just epic. We Partied all night in reunion with our city friends again. I was even so lucky enough to watch a volcano erupt and spurt lava while walking out to the car through the night with Andrea and Manuel <3 We didn't leave the party until 10.30am the next morning. The girls went to the hostel and passed out while i had a shower and met the boys at Zoola and started drinking again. From there we filled a car, pumping psych trance with people hanging off the outside of the car and luis sitting On the bonnet and cruised the streets to cafe no Se. We were running a riot. We then went to lucky rabbit which is where Jodie and Chanae met up with us.

We partied all night there and then went to another bar after hours, where we got kidnapped by Jose and went to his incredible home where we met all of his gorgeous dogs and puppies. We Cuddled on couch before falling asleep (somehow) with psych trance blaring at 3am. Awake at 10am and we regrouped with everyone in the kitchen where we ate the best soup I've ever had for breakfast! We lazed around watching tv until 4pm. We went back to the hostel and booked our shuttle for 4am the next morning. We caught back up with the boys and did another bar crawl before ending up at lucky rabbit. It was a  weird night and the girls were in foul moods and couldn't stand anyone. After lucky rabbit we went to another bar where we danced on tables and partied the night away pretending we didn't have to leave. We kidnapped a few people from the bar and all went back to Jose's place.

I joked to the boys about kidnapping them and bring them to utila with us. As we continued to party at Jose's, our alarms starting ringing which meant we had to leave to catch our shuttle....The boys told us to miss out shuttle and they would come with us, and we would do a family road trip to Utila! After cross examining them to see if this was a legit proposal, we agreed that if we miss our shuttle we would road trip together (even though I still felt sceptical that this would legitimately happen). Surprisingly and epically, it happened! So now we aren't sure with who kidnapped who, but the important thing is that we were all in this together! The events following, would also just so happen to be our biggest and best adventure to date.....

Jodie's arrival to the Pedge and the following....

Australia Day eve was a Monday in Guatemala. The day started with pupusa's with Ross at our favourite pupuseria in town. Sublime was opening especially for the event as Monday's they are closed, and had the live hottest 100 countdown from Australia pumping. In the evening we traditionally went to the Buddha bar for open mic, and returning to sublime for the rest of the evening. I was more excitable than usual as one of my best friends from home, Jodie would be arriving sometime around 1am. The vibes were super high, as it was Australia Day back home, and the eve in San Pedro with a wicked boat party planned for the following day.

I didn't need any further encouragement but given that Jodie would be arriving around closing time, I keep the party going until that moment! As the bar closed and it was just the usual staff and friends straggling behind, I heard someone yell out to me to advise Jodie was at the front door. I ran out with open arms and there she was, luggage and all! I hustled her into the closed bar, introduced her to the friends that remained and we enjoyed some of sublimes finest drinks and the such to celebrate her arrival in San Pedro. An hour or two on and we headed to an after party which was short lived before we headed back to the apartment that we would now share! Me jodes and Max watched her first sunrise in San Pedro from our rooftop and we stayed up listening to music and chatting until about 10am the next morning. Our alarms were set for midday to make it on the party boat, to which I had been impatiently waiting for months for. But in true Australian, and Kassie style... I blew it. We blew it. Too much excitement the night before and way too rough to make it to the party boat in time. So essentially being the only three people in San Pedro not on the party boat, we started the day with fruit smoothies and chilled down at sublime until our friends all returned. One by one, people fell off the boat completely munted. Donned one of the best parties of the year, we claim our night before was too. We scoffed a pizza down at fe before crashing out early that night. 

Jodie's first Wednesday and I had to take her to the Paca. Wednesday's and Saturdays are the best days at the Paca as that's when the "new" shipment of second hand clothes arrive so there's lots of buzz in the air to get there early and take first pick, before the second-hand store owners take all the good stuff first. I walked her around town, visited the rocks and got all the formalities out of the way, now she knows one end of the street to the other, tour guide job done! At sublime a few of our mates were still going from the day before (or possibly the day before, or even the day before then...) backflip ping and jumping off the deck at sublime. Max wondered back with us where he had his very first vegemite sandwich. After the hundreds of times of singing 'the land down under' and belting the lyrics about a vegemite sandwich, he finally got to see what the fuss was about - and he loved it. Soo much so I was having to hide it, because he was even dipping candy in it one night! On Friday the three of us went to idea connection, The Italian bakery for breakfast, and I booked myself in for my tattoo. Finally deciding on what I wanted, I had decided for a mandala interpretation of my Mayan birthchart. We cooked dinner at home that night before watching the boys play at Buddha bar. We intended to go to an after party that night but ended up having a room party at mine until 7am. Saturday I woke up at 4pm for my tattoo appointment. I was stuffed around for hours, and ended up not getting out of the shop until 10.30pm. Despite all of the dicking around, the piece that Chelana had created was amazing and I was over the moon with my unique and personal tattoo.

Sunday would be Jodie's first experience at smoking joes bbq. We ate the world before the meat sweats set in and we needed an afternoon nap which we didn't wake from until 8pm. We went to sublime for open mic which was an incredible night. I left Jodie with a friend who was acting as security and I was playing Cupid with.... a few minutes later from walking a friend home and I returned to see her being kicked out the bar! Thrown over the shoulder and being carried out of the bar! All in fun and games, and it appeared my match making skills were on point. The next couple of days we hang about, washing, cleaning and food shopping and cooking, trying to pull ourselves together for some sort of "normality" between the endless parties. Tuesday was Rhi's birthday eve. After watching the boys play at fe we went to Sublime where we all sat around and sang happy birthday to rhi at midnight, led by none other than Jake from the lake on trumpet. What a special moment. On Wednesday, rhi's besties and roomies had planned a surprise "wine and cheese" rooftop party at their house. We all gathered on the roof in our finest San Pedro attire, and pulled off an incredible surprise to the very special birthday girl. We sat around on blankets and cushions and ate and drank the afternoon away. In the evening I managed to get a gratis bottle of tequila from Ferny for the big event and well, I had a total blackout. Not sure how long it lasted, perhaps an hour or to where I have no recollection, but came-to when we were back at jakes house for an after party. I was still in form and we partied at jakes until 8am when we stumbled our way home and woke up 5pm that day. Apparently I was completely harmless just hugging my friends not wanting them to let me go! Haha so glad my "black Wednesday" was of no harm to myself or others!

Thursday would be epic evening not one to forget. Sublime was holding a secret silent disco at midnight, allegedly the first one in Guatemala. Not intending to stay, we ended up getting hooked up with headsets and it would be easily one of the greatest nights ever. There were three live dj's set up on the beach area each corresponding to a different channel on the headset and indicated by colour - red, green or blue. As you danced around to the beat of your headset, you'd signal to others and reunite with ones on your channel, and have mimeconversations with those who weren't. That was a night where some new friendships really flourished and we danced away until are sunrise the next day. One to go down in the history books. A privado party continued back at mine, with dancing and laughter until who knows what hour. Waking at the usual time of 5pm, I went out for dinner and then had an early night in. Breakfast the next day would see me run into Jodie who i hadn't seen in a day or two and it felt like a lifetime. We ditched the boys and went home to play catch up. That night there was a killer band on in sublime followed by epic drum and bass. It was another incredible night, where Mitchelle, Tom, and I took over the dancefoloor dancing inside a Hola hoop and throwing glitter on everyone on the dance floor. Our hair was in braids and we avatared the night away and when the night ended... Michelle pulled out her iPod and we had our own silent disco! The after party continued at a friends hous that night until just after 6am. Not being able to sleep well, I woke Jodie a few hours later for the Sunday bbq where we raged on with tequila shots and 'Guatemala's'... Continued to sublime where we did lake jumps and had an incredible day party. It was the night of the Super Bowl which was being showed on the big screen. I skipped that and danced the night away at sublime. It was another incredible night - this was becoming one of my biggest and best party benders of all time. We went back for an after party before taking it back to mine where me and Max stayed up chatting for the next five hours. We had a modest nap before heading out for the life saving fruit smoothie.

Monday would see the temporary stop to my incredible party bender. Jodie and I ate our way around San Pedro, demolishing 32 chicken wings, a hot dog, and a Buddha brownies. Taking home chips and m&m's where we munched away and sat in my bed colouring in. Tuesday would be a very productive morning. I prepared a batch of coconut oil, made breakfast while Jodie popped out to collect coffee and we sat around our place with the pals. It was a lazy afternoon and I baby sat beans (our friend paco's puppy). We sat around the bonfire at sublime chilling before I brought the crew back to mine where we sat about chatting and listening to tunes until 1am. Wednesday was an unplanned day starting with aho for breakfast. We rotated between sublime and the banditos. Starting with sublime where I initiated champagne showers before cruising to the Banditios rooftop for an afternoon of guitar and trumpet and singing on the rooftop at sunset, hosted by Morgan and jake. 

On Thursday Jodie and I casually went out for dinner not intending to party that night. We went to sublime for dinner where it was time 'zombie night'. We were bitten by zombie friends and therefore became zombies ours ems and swept up with compadre and cerveza, getting zombie drunk. I got a few things off my chest that night and confirming my position in a particular friendship that was to-ing and fro-ing not to my entertainment. Waking up at 5pm the next day to, I caught up with rhi rhi before falling asleep watching movies at mine with my mate jack. The next day we would find that our friend pinkie had taken a photo of us as she came home (also living in our block) as my door was wide open with the two of us passed out in the exact same position, pretending to look like we were still watching the movie! Classic move pinky! The next day was an early start with me heading up to the markets and inviting eight of my friends along the way over for breakfast. I whipped up a storm for all before we had aho for dessert. We headed down to sublime where we instigated a spontaneous dj set from Ferny and a huge day party broke out. It was a crazy fun day which didn't stop until 5am and didn't see me getting to bed until 8am!

The next day was February 14, we stopped for smoothies on our way to a delicious meal with a view at sabababa. It was this Sunday night that everyone in sublime ended up getting whiskers and a nose drawn on them with eyeliner and before we knew it the whole place was full of kittens! And like all fancy dress or face painting events, it escalates into lots of drinks, and lots more drinks. Monday I didn't get as much sun baking done as I did being an investigative journalist. Our friend Chris was starting his own newspaper in San Pedro and had hired Rhi as his right hand girl. Jodie and I jumped on board knocking over her to do list. When we were leaving for home from Megan's farewell dinner at Buddha bar, a street party broke out with dancing and instruments of every variety! Afterwards, I jumped into Jodie's bed with copious amounts of munchies, a creative compadre piece made by our fav roomie Aaron, before we passed out!

Tuesday jodes and I sat on the jetty at sublime and sun baked and had d&m's. Things soon escalated to pizza at fe, and shots with Molly. That night we went to an after party when following I couldn't sleep. A restless night at home before being dragged out at midday with Max, pinky, jack and the crew who were "flyering" and coaxed me into heading to sublime for the afternoon... Just for something different! Thursday morning Jodie and I led a crew to the markets including Ross, paco and the puppies - beans and chickpeas. After an afternoon nap, it was to sublime for an "early night". Soon enough candies were being flipped and the party raged. Me and max came home keeled over in laughter, waking at 1.30pm the next for a feed and then back for a nap until the evening as per usual. Being a Friday it was to fe for pizza and the quiz, then to sublime. I was woken to a night stalker at 3am who also couldn't sleep. For once we had a morning wake up (at 1.30pm) finally making it to el barrio for their famous brunch. So full, it was back for a nap until 6.30pm. It was Saturday night and sublime was having a PJ party. Me jodes and max got in our finest PJ's (including me in a penguin onesie) before rocking it out at sublime. There was a full moon party that night and I was soo unconvinced to go, despite Max's attempts.... As we slowly made our way to the dock, the last boat had already left.... Ohhhh oops to bad! 

The next day Jodie and I ate 'drunken munchies' - sublimes signature dish where we also indulged in sheesha and tried our hand at blowing smoke bubbles. Heading home for an afternoon 'nap' we woke in time to get back to sublime for the night which escalated quickly into an after party back at jakes with the boys. When we ventured home we spent the whole night talking before getting some sleep before the usual afternoon wake up. synchronistic words from a stranger at the juice shop gave me confirmations, before I caught up with Jodie and the pals spending the afternoon back at ours chillin in the hammock. Before midnight I had to run some errands, so me and Jodie went to Buddha bar, wheeled and dealed my hairbrush, probably the only one in the Pedge! And got a pupusa para llevar!

Tuesday morning walking early through town, me and Jodie ran into nearly a dozen of our friends, inviting each of them around for breakfast as we went. I cooked up a feast for seven of us before our long awaited garden party at Jakes. We ventured down to sublime to meet all the pals before our group tour to jakes little mansion on the hill. We put a mattress and blankets out in the garden where we all sprawled out. I spent hours in such heavy laughter, the tears fell down my face for just as long. Pinkie was Jodie's white slave, Jodie was King Julian, beans was beans, paco was the funniest person I'd ever met, Ross and I cloud watched and everything around us made up the best garden party I'd ever been to. As the night grew darker we headed down to fe one by one which soon became a bit of a disjointed night. The night then ended ubruptly and unnecessarily. The next morning I had a mini crisis so I went and got beans and had cuddles with him until anyone at all would wake up to play with me! Finally Ross and Jodie were by my side where we enjoyed breakfast together, still a bit fuzzy from the day before and recapping on all the funny events which had us in tears of laughter yet again.

It was a fried chicken kind of afternoon, my soul food. An afternoon of sublime and chills before Jodie and I had a fancy night out on the town! Reading and learning about the "celebration of struggle"....  which is the philosophy, that rather than being down and out in a struggle, we should celebrate! Because from struggles, come learnings, strength and miracles. We went to the fancy Italian restaraunte for dinner and really indulged. This felt much nicer than beating myself up! The Next morning we had a gourmet champagne breakfast cook up before Jodie and I did our first official day of work for sublime!

It was a jungle drum and bass themed nights I Jodie and I dressed in green and wrapped ourselves in vines before taking to the streets to flyer. It was a big night which included Jodie drunkenly falling off the deck and telling the owner, her new employer not to tell me and to forget it ever happened! Haha all of the above happened and Jodie was still employed the next day. We philosophied on how you could actully ever get fired or kicked out from sublime... What if we bought our own hotdogs and cooked them on the bonfire on the beach..... And used the kitchen equipment.... And sold them to patrons.... We laughed and continued speaking garbage on what we could get away with, while all the while appreciating how much we loved Ferny and his fine establishment. The next few days we pottered and ran errands as well as taking to the streets to flyer for the bar we loved so much.

Upon an infamous friends return, I was taken aside for an apology to which I was hardly ready to entertain the thought of forgiveness. Through one ear and out the other for me, but at least perhaps a ball hair worth of strength was being shown for once from their behalf. I got super drunk before going home to cook up bacon! The Next day would be a Sunday bar shift at sublime. Hungover as hell, I was not well at all until it was suggested to drink a Coca Cola. Miraculously soon following I was feeling alright! So much so I started enjoying my much loved michelada's for the afternoon. Monday was a staff meeting day to which once the formalities were over, it was drinks and food, and drinks and food! We got a boat to which we spent five minutes on before being told we had too many people and had to turn back! Ah well, at least we got to neck some tequila on the lake before getting off! I spent the night with the Gorgeous duo of Rhi and Morgan and their Angel voices, practising for open mic.

Tuesday. Jodie and I went to a garage sale before eating the world in the 'creepy corner' at sublime. Electricity went out so the boys got inventive and played puppy ping pong, which was just ping pong with puppies on the table. Strangely humorous. It was the magnificent Morgan's last night so we had a surprise dinner at the fancy Italian restaraunt. Berlin Haus were playing at sublime, so we rotated between fe and sublime before saying our farewells to the beautiful Morgan.

In the following week the boys, chespy, Ross and paco went for a boys trip to the city. We had a 60's and 70's Rock night at sublime which was killer fun, dancing the night away to classic rock. At the end of the night, pinky, Eli and I went back to our place for hammock hangs and giggles before Eli's departure the next day. It poured rain so what better way to spend it than in my bed with half a dozen of my friends, red wine, snacks and the wedding crashes movie. We pulled ourselves out of a slumber for a night of partying to 'Beats Antique' at sublime. Smoking joes was having a pig on the spit special this Sunday and we flyered for sublime on our way there and back. "Work" is such a leisurely role in San Pedro! It was Pinky's last night so it was a chill and sombre night. Max and I helped her with her things out of the apartment block for her early departure, as max held back DIGGER who whimpered and cried for so long after she left. So sad. As we woke the next morning, it rained tears for Pinky! Trapped in the apartment from the rain we chilled as Max Played guitar before we had a break long enough to escape down to sublime. It was a Monday and the bar was closed but staff and friends would usually always be there. That night me and Jodie watched the Disney movie 'Tangled' in Spanish at Paco's place. My cough was escalating and so I bit the bullet and started antibiotics. Therefore we got more munchie food and stayed in for the night!

Tuesday Jodie and I had a day shift at sublime. We were now officially the day crew! I had a brownie just before the end of my shift and when I spelt my name 'Cassy' on an order sheet I knew it was time to knock off! I was not well at all, so I got home, stepped into my onesie and spent the night watching movies at the banditos with Aaron. Wednesday morning rhi rhi and I went to people watch and enjoy San Pedro's finest coffee at the corner coffee shop. We ran into Ferny who happened to tell us one of the most hilarious stories of the Pedge. It involved being ninja's with Marcus, bread and cheese, and a 5am raid of sublime con selfies with the police officers. Oh Ferny, you are The Ledge of the Pedge!

Marcus, James and I spent the day chasing somethink that could not be found, and therefore we visited our friend Lolita befor heading up to Marcus' place where we found two kittens on the way. We decided to bring them under our wing before fighting over their names, calling them at least three different names per kitten. We spent the night at sublime with our crew, a rather mild night for me, but by no means uneventful. I went to the bathroom during the night to which a serial San Pedro pest, unbeknown to me, came up behind me before I locked the door, and kicked it open before forcing himself against me and attempting to suck my face off. I fought for about five seconds, screaming stop three times before successfully kicking him off me, and to the amazement and full view of three others, in line for the bathroom also. The bastard then ran out of the bar with his tail behind his legs. I was in complete shock as not only was this person a serial pest, to which endless stories from single females would always share their distaste, but it was someone who was a friend of friends, and to whom I'd always been amicable. Said hello to and would wave to in the street. In San Pedro, you always try to keep the peace. Usually with little to no regard of others moral ground. It was their path and you keep your nose clean. But this incident infuriated me. 

The first person I saw and went to was one of my longest and closest friends. Surely they would be the first to have my back? Nope. Claimed to be wasted and tripping out at the event (as apparently I was the second or third girl that night) he "freaked out" and didn't know what to do. So what he did do was walk away and shy into the night. A friend who I hardly knew and overheard my terrified voice threw his jacket on the ground and ran out of the club to find the bastard. He returned a few minutes later calling everyone on his phone to start tracking him. I ordered him not to make a scene nor to beat the shit out of him, but to bring him to me so I can confront the spineless prick myself. As I was consoled by James and Marcus, the bastard came back in and tried to apologise for his act. He claimed that he just saw me, and wanted to say hello. I belted down a "You call that a hello! Is that how you say hello to your 'friends'" as he started to backtrack and make up spineless excuses for his bahviour not nearing to responsibility for his disputable actions. That night I was terroried and couldn't sleep. I hoped that perhaps a friend would stop by during the night to check if I was okay. 7am the next morning as soon as Jodie woke and saw my distressed messages from the night before, she flew to my aid. We went to sublime where my 'long and close friend' asked if I was okay after I said hello, and claimed to come to my place to check if I was okay... but then tripped and went home. That was the straw...

Through this c*** of an act, it showed me who my true friends were. It's surprising. I learnt a lot, and raised the bar on what I was willing to accept. Who will still be there when I face darkness?  It would be difficult, but I had to speak, even if my voice shook. Heavy.

Moving on to a lighter note, the next four days were pretty chill, I was working through my stuff and just kicking about the Pedge. Jodie was out of town adventuring more of Guatemala which would end up being longer than she expected... Always the case! It would be Jacks last night so I headed out at after 11pm to see him off. After closing time played, a few of us headed back to the banditos rooftop led by Ross, to cuddle puppies by candlelight con quetzalteca. We saw him off, walking him to the shuttle at 4.20am, what a gracious end to a San Pedro season for Jack! The next few days cruised by, mainly kicking about with my homies James and Marcus. On Monday I over cooked my brownies but we still ate them anyway. I sat with Aaron at the banditos while he hand spin his wool which would soon become an incredible piece of amazing. Pauls gaff steakhouse had a dinner special for staff in San Pedro so we lashed out and ate fancy while acting like children on the new walking talkies. Things just got even more fun at sublime!

On Tuesday we would get super wobbly and not make it down for the traditional night at fe. Wednesday I worked and then got wobbly again with the fam. There was a film crew at sublime for some tv channel, it was awkward and weird! On Thursday it was st Patrick's day. Meant to be one of the big party days in the Pedge and the town was dry. Hardly anyone in sight. I went to the gaff for a delicious Irish stew, caught up with some of the Banditios and walked the puppies to the rocks. A chill afternoon turned party night, It was a fun time and feeling great! The next couple of days I pottered around and covered a couple of shifts at sublime, learnt how to dreadlock and was even gifted my own needle. I was left hanging an extra day for my best friend Chanae's arrival due to a missed flight. The suspense was killing me! My best friend of 17 years coming to spend two months with me in Central America! This was going to be trouble! 

Because I was awake, I headed around to Chris' where I assisted editing the newspaper for a couple of hours until I started falling asleep. When I woke it was Monday and Chanae would be arriving around midday. I tried to occupy myself as much as I could to take my mind off the excitement of her arrival!

The eve-eve enigma

Christmas celebrations began on Christmas Eve-eve. The sun was shining and we started our day with sambucca shots and lake jumps at Fe! I bought a bottle of amaretto for the afternoon and drank it on the rocks with a girlfriend at her place where we painted our nails and discussed our bar hopping plans for the night. We started back at hostel fe before indulging in some Christmas treats and dancing like wild children at sublime. Easily one of the craziest dancing nights, evident in my friends boots where I actually danced a hole in the sole. Thursday, Christmas Eve, I was the designated Christmas decorator at Mr Mullets. Tinsel and baubles went anywhere I could hang them while the boys were very busy preparing beer bongs for a traditional Aussie Christmas celebration!

Nick, the owner of mullets had tried to prepare two horses for me and three friends to do promotional flyering through town. The boys were dressed in onesies, hair in braids and ribbons at each end. We set of with an esky of beer, a speaker pumping music and some Christmas treats and began flyering up and down the streets of San Pedo. After failed horse aquisition, we commuted on foot until all the flyers were out. Spreading the love with Christmas cheer and Christmas beers. In the afternoon I had a nap before heading to sublime for a chill night around the bonfire. The place was open until sunrise, where we stayed until the police came and shut us down at 6.30am. I went home and had a nap to prepare for the big day ahead.

Christmas Day I woke up at midday and stumbled weary eyed into mr mullets. All of the family was there and breakfast began with shots of tequila, sambucca and jäger bombs. We drank goblets of mimosa's while Andy cooked the bbq. Music was pumping and the vibes were high. Really, really high. The day was filled with lots of fun and laughter. In the afternoon the girls and I exchanged our secret Santa gifts to which I got a gorgeous tye dye cardigan. Don't act like you know me! Sublime was closed for the day to host a staff dinner. Being an honorary friend of Sublime, I headed there after dark where me and my dearest Pedge friends busted it out on the dancefoloor cutting it crazy with so much room on the dance floor for activities. We decided there should never be more than eight people on the dance floor at one time for maximum dance space. I had lost my phone, but I had hoped it would somehow find its way back to me, as I was in no state to recall when or where it was last left. I went home and chilled out with my rhi rhi before somehow managing to smoke myself to sleep. To my amazement one of my good mates jack had found my phone at the bar at mullets the night before and held onto it. My first close call with losing something valuable, and now I was on the front foot in keeping an even tighter eye on my things. 

It was one of my closest friends birthday on Boxing Day, so I scooted up to Morgan's house singing my finest version of happy birthday before tackling her into the grass for a birthday cuddle puddle. We made our way down to el barrio for their famous all you can eat champagne brunch. Definitely one of my favourite meals in the Pedge.  A couple of us Aussie girls kept an Aussie tradition alive by going 'Boxing Day shopping' (very tongue in cheek) where I treated myself and bought a gorgeous fire agate ring. After weeks of viewing this artists work, I finally decided on my piece. It was a girl time catch up time with Eliane where we braided each other's hair and polished off that bottle of ammeretto. We went to the Pop quiz at fe (really just for those incredible wood fire pizza's) with Morgan before heading back to her place for an after party.

Come Sunday and everyone was in shambles. We went to the bbq and ate the world. Ribs, all you can eat side dishes, craft beers... What a way to start Boxing Day, day! Elaine and I bought friendship bracelets of Mexican Amber from that incredible French artisan whom I bought my ring from the day before. Eliane was captivated by his black obsidian pieces where it took days and several visits to decide on the perfect piece for her.

In the afternoon, the brat pack and I (me, Eliane and three Aussie boys) went to an Israeli restaurant by the lake that we hadn't been to yet, casa blanca. We took a couple of sleeping tablets each and ate far Too much dessert - Nutella crepes and fruit salad, deep fried snickers and the rest. A perfect early evening of chills and indulgence away from the hustle and bustle of our usual holes.  We all went back to the boys room for a cuddle puddle where we watched movies until we all passed out.

Monday afternoon I went to Elaine's place where I  made a special batch of brownies and drank red wine. On the way back to mine I sold most of the brownies, soon paying off my ingredient costs and leaving enough left for me and my friends to enjoy. We ate dinner at Buddha bar and when I got home it hadn't settled so well for me, coming right back up. Unfortunate as I'd never had a bad meal at Buddha but this one wasn't right.

The following few days leading up to New Years involved sun baking, lake jumps and of course plenty of booze and food with all of the friends. New Year's Eve-Eve would be yet another ridiculous night of explosive fun, dancing the night away at sublime followed by an after party at chespy's. I was being a total pest and apparently coming out with the funniest things on the walk there and back. The next day I was incredibly hungover and unwell. It was New Year's Eve and I couldn't bring myself to even nibble on a hash brown. As time passed by and my friends all came to meet for breakfast at Mr Mullets, we all got a plate of breakfast, eating and chilling on the grass out the back. The vibes were so high and happiness was so abundant that just being around the pals my hangover was cured in no time. Unbelievable. I was having all of these stories told to me about how funny and crazy I was the night before which left me in tears of laughter. I didn't know I could be so funny! Glad I could make the night.

For the rest of the day I borrowed my mate Saxons laptop and chilled out in bed and watched a movie until I could bring myself to get up and out again for the NYE celebrations. I chilled out at sublime and had chats with my 'best not gay girlfriend', Adrian. I got together with the bandito family and we started the night at Buddha bar where we went out for a civilised and mature dinner and a dance. The infamous Pedge boys were back in town from visiting their families in the city, and come midnight I was swept up with a surprising NYE kiss. I then went on to sublime where the fireworks display was in competition with other towns surrounding the lake. Ferny, (sublime owner, resident DJ and original Ledge of the Pedge) had a cannon under the lake platform which would shoot fireworks (mostly) into the sky. The platform was packed with people and shook, scaring us it would drop with every explosion. Some hits were off and we watched the fireworks shoot into the lake which was an incredible display, exploding upon impact. We stayed at sublime until 5am when the police shut us down just before sunrise. standard party poopers.

January 1, 2016 and I woke up vibing. After breakfast, Ross, Chris and I created a pulley system that would connect between my place, and Chris' place, which was the penthouse of mr mullets and directly across from me. We attached a bag and pulled it to and from our places, filling it with gifts for each other through the day. The afternoon was down at sublime playing ping pong and getting drunk and dancing like crazy all night. A fleeting romance (if you would even call it that) that was meant to end before Christmas was continuing on and I wasn't sure what to make of it. The Next day I was feeling restless but went to meet Ross and the banditos for breakfast where I would be meeting his brother who was coming for a holiday in town, Aaron was a ball of energy and his personality was infections. I knew we were going to be just fine together!

The next few days were filled with the usual party night and early morning with little sleep. We were bulking on as much food we could eat and catching up on so many skipped meals during the silly season. Vibes were becoming a little more chill and I spent an entire four hours one afternoon laying on the couches at sublime and counting eight different friends who each sat with me and cuddled my legs during that time. I played a proper game of table tennis for the first time and it turns out I wasn't too bad! We just got super high before max swept me off the couch and ordered we get kayaks out on the lake. After nearly three months I finally got coerced into kayaking on the lake and we had a ball! Stopping in the middle of the lake for some beers and a spliff at sunset. Just glorious.

Come Tuesday, we traditionally went down and watched boys jam it out at fe. Always a high vibe time with free pouring tequila in your mouth and a set which composed most of our favorite songs. There was another awesome band playing at sublime so we rotated between the two locations.

Thursday that week it was pie day at the Alegre pub. The best meal in the Pedge! (And how I knew what day of the week it was). In the afternoon I was booked in for a Mayan birth chart reading. Maya culture was something that I began learning about four years earlier and what really captivated me in coming to this country in the first place. I was so excited to see what it would contain. I was very impressed with Hilda's knowledge and I learnt so much. Everything that was read to me about my life, past present and what my future was, was so incredibly accurate, and really just reiterated things that I had experienced and knew, and what I was already starting to understand about myself. 

That night was dinner at Zoola which is always an awesome chill time where you eat sleep and smoke on the floor cushions. Friday was the much awaited downhill speed skateboarding competition. I was in the first crew up the volcano helping the Fe staff  to set up for the event. Slowly all the crew from the Pedge would join us throughout the morning in time for the races. Hanging on the  roadside, laying out of a tree - the view we experienced whilst watching our mates race was incredible. A beautiful day looking down upon the lake that we love soo much.

The next week and a bit was full of partying, spending quality time with my San Pedro friends, snuggling bunnies which my landlord owned on my rooftop, attempting to learn guitar, and music and dancing; and music and dancing! Come midnight on the 15th and it was Max's birthday. Struck down with illness, we sung him happy birthday at Buddha bar and gave him a card which we got all the pals to sign, before retiring into the evening with a cup of tea! On Sunday it was an epic Open Mic night at sublime and when the infamous "closing time" song came on to close up the evening, I sat on the dance floor in silent protest and soon had half a dozen to a dozen people join me, street dogs included! The following morning (afternoon) I cooked up a big pot of chicken noodle soup before falling back asleep until 7pm! The days leading up until the next pie day were some good quality days with my ill friend, eating and chilling.

Saturday the 23rd on January would be the first full moon party of the year. This is when there are secret midnight boats which leave from San Pedro to a secret location (to protect from the municipal) across the lake and psych trance music will play until the following afternoon. Not for the faint hearted! Max, Pancho and I, the three amigos (con mucho aho) broke away from the crowd (a favoured pastime of theirs) and went to one of the docks for the last boat to the party. Cruising on the lake in the middle of the night, lit by illuminescent stars, hanging outside the window, feeling the breeze across our faces, hair blowing in the wind. It was incredibly magical. It was antics all night, at an incredible home hanging off the side of the cliff above the lake, a fireplace, and of course the dance floor where psych trance pounded all night until morning. Serving "apple pies" through the door window to my friends and creating absolute nonsense talk would still be some very funny memories we talk about today.

Just before sunrise, we watched the stars and planets align to the mountains and volcanoes which faced ahead, cloud formations that looked like agels blessing their wishes upon us, and then the magical sunrise, bestowing all the colours of the rainbow in sequence from darkness until light. As the sun now illuminated the lake, me and the amigos hiked up to the top of the hill to experience what would be my first experience with DMT. A beautiful and (somewhat) personal experience that I had been waiting for and finally had that chance. So much information and knowledge came to me at that time that it wouldn't be until later that day (arriving back after 11am) when I stopped, and laid in my bed at home where I began to decifer and understand what it was that I received. I couldn't wait to have the experience again, now that I had my first little introduction and I wasn't apprehensive or sceptical anymore.

The full moon party was an intense experience, no doubt about it. Psych trance was a new genre of music to me, and well, let's say I'm not exactly an instant fan.... But as it is such a hugely popular genre in Guatemala to which so many of my friends are fans, and they show me genre's within the genre, I will say that I am slowly warming to it. And now that I have that musical association with some of the best parties of my life (more still to be told), it will always have a place in my heart (but not my playlist...just yet!).

"I will leave San Pedro" I said, "I won't get stuck in the vortex" I said....

Nearing seven months since my last blog, the time and space in between has been occupied with nights that have turned into days, with friends that have become family. The wings of this social butterfly have been in full flight, and there has been no sign of them touching the ground... until now.

As the cosmic energy of 'The Pedge' was sweeping up and away, I was rarely ever in my own company, and it appeared with each failed attempt to make time to myself, the blog would be placed on the back burner. Putting my social life first, I kept a brief note about each day that passed in order to one day look back and catch up on the chronicles of Kassie.

Picking up where I left off, I had three hours sleep before restlessly laying around the hostel and scraping in just in time for the free breakfast, which was a very rare event. My Aussie comrades and I discussed our grand plans for the day, however didn't move from hammocks nor showering until 1pm. The afternoon was spent at 'The house' where half a dozen of our friends lived, later named 'The gypsy banditos'. We got haircuts in the front yard garden salon 'Stone hair' and chilled before heading to Sublime, for sunset beers, pool, and table tennis. I took myself out to dinner while the girls went to the Friday night trivia at Fe. With a failed attempt to sleep I went out to Buddha bar for a chocolate brownie which changed my life, before meeting the girls back at sublime. The girls were smashed drunk and took one of them home to bed. When I later went back, Kate the snake had hurled vomit from the top bunk in the hostel all over the lower level, where I lived! I spent the rest of the night at a friends having a room party until the early hours of the morning (standard).

Saturday night the band played around the bonfire at mullets which was a subtle beginning to what became a massive night at Sublime. My friend had lost his keys so we broke into his room where we again partied until the early hours before waking up at 3pm the next day. I jumped in a tuk tuk with less than an hour to spare for the traditional Sunday BBQ where I caught up with the pals before hitting open mic and dancing on tables, ending the night in a cuddle puddle at the Banditos.

The next few days were a rotation of attempting to not to party, but being filled with tequila and sambucca, one afternoon of market shopping across the lake in Panahachel, a night of a deep nail injury in my right knee, and general lazing and chill. Pushing tab Tuesday on to Wednesday, we spent a glorious afternoon at the Banditios lazing on blankets in the garden cloud gazing and giggling before Eric came home with fire crackers which Ross proceeded to throw in the bonfire! Nearly wetting ourselves in laughter, we salvaged our belongings and looked around at our nest which appeared to have become the aftermath of a civil war. The party continued in sublime, and then to the after party in my mates room until 6am.

The next day was a hurting one but with it being the girls last night in town we hit an awful karaoke bar, Buddha bar and then sublime for a dearly awaited rock night. Being one of two girls in the bar, I danced and sung and moshed so hard I actually put out my neck for the next week! We hit an after party before sneaking back to my hostel dorm where the two girls had both passed out in my bed, unbeknown to them or me why, so we then crashed in one of the bottom bunks until the following day when I got up for breakfast at 4pm.

The following few days were same same but different occupied with late nights, non stop dancing, after parties and breakfast at 4pm. A couple of nights were highlighted as being above average, with epic drum and bass, crazy fun nights of sublime themed parties and live music, and very little sleep. Every couple of weeks or so I'd catch up with a nights sleep exceeding 22 hours which powered me on for the following days of sambucca shots, tequila and beer for breakfast, lake jumps and lazing in the sun chairs at Fe.

At this stage it was over a month that I have been in San Pedro and whilst I always had the intention to leave, I had friends who insisted that I was mad for thinking I would leave anytime soon. It was one day that I sat down with one of my dearest friends Morgan who said that I was ridiculous for thinking that I would leave San Pedro. As if I could make friends as dear as I had here, let alone spend Christmas with anyone other than them! With a firm yet loving talking too, I agreed to find myself an apartment for a fraction of the price of the hostel I was "staying in" and soon following, I began my search. With barely hours passing by, a friend was telling me that she was moving out of her apartment, to one a level above and that I should swing by and check out her room. A gorgeous little private room, with twin shared bathroom for only a third of the price of the hostel, I agreed to move in the next day. Bang! Done!

The next week was the standard eat, (sometimes sleep) rave, and repeat. One afternoon we finally made it to the solar pools for sunset after much talking about, where we chilled and giggled learning that my Aussie mates working at mullets hailed from the same tiny Victorian country town which I spent many of my younger years growing up in. What a ridiculously small world.  The next open mic at Buddha bar would be one, if not the best open mic nights we'd had in our time. I rocked a black leather mini and the girls and I partied like rock stars. The proceeding days included cuddling rabbits on my rooftop, Chinese food delivery, sambucca on the rocks, and Dancing like Jellyfish to K. In a completely inebriated state I had d&m with a friend who had been a total jerk, and bridges were not only built, but were much stronger than before.

The following Saturday a famous national band were playing at sublime, and being a friend of sublime, we were ushered through with a stamp on the wrist and a gratis drink on arrival. The following day, in a painfully hungover state, I was barely able to nibble on a hash brown until the evening jam session at sublime snapped me back into party mode. Impressive open mic acts, passionate Cumbia and a blaring bonfire, it was yet another 'best night ever'. Picking up my latest addiction, a Nutella and banana crepe on my way home, it was a rare night of sleep which transformed into an early morning of construction workers smashing it out on the third floor. Do they ever complete a project!?

With Hostel Fe acquiring some bad ass rocking chairs, sun banking and chills just hit a new level. Days leading up the Christmas were sunny and was glorious. Lake jumps were bringing our bodies back to life while sambucca soothed my soul. Shopping at the paca (market) was becoming a common event and I wouldn't come home with less than a few new pieces of clothing for only $1 a piece. Me and five of my closest gal pals created a secret Santa group with a limit of 10q ($2) for a gift which made the Paca adventures even more exciting; to be sure we got each other the perfect pieces on what would be my first Christmas away from the land down under!