Where Next?

[offroader]

Remember your West coast friends could do SFO/LAX/BJX, that would save having to get to SFO for the early flight to ATL. Or, depending on loads everyone can meet in LAX or ATL. I have not been to that area but have been interested in SMA. Outside of BJX is Guanajuato, I hear the chain hotels have free shuttles. You could spend a day or two in Guanajuato then taxi/bus/shuttle to SMA. The town of Leon is also in the area of BJX, have not looked into anything about Leon.
Cuernavaca is some distance from the state of Guanajuato, unless you fly into or out of MEX.

[mrs767er]

Remember your West coast friends could do SFO/LAX/BJX, that would save having to get to SFO for the early flight to ATL. Or, depending on loads everyone can meet in LAX or ATL. I have not been to that area but have been interested in SMA. Outside of BJX is Guanajuato, I hear the chain hotels have free shuttles. You could spend a day or two in Guanajuato then taxi/bus/shuttle to SMA. The town of Leon is also in the area of BJX, have not looked into anything about Leon.
Cuernavaca is some distance from the state of Guanajuato, unless you fly into or out of MEX.

Well, you're just making it more complicated, offroader! Not really, it's the old, we can't decide dilemma...Having MEX or BJX options are good/bad issues. I'd love to meet DAB and SFO in LAX since A/C is larger (738 vs CR9). They haven't been to Hacienda Hotel yet, either.
Best part about BJX is private shuttle to SMA is $25 ea, worst part is evening arrival and morning departures (still much better than 5:30am BKK/NRT). Didn't realize GTO city is closer than Leon. We prefer to settle into one city/town since time is tighter than our trip to IST. Once my GTO area tourbook arrives tomorrow, I can ask more intelligent questions. Thanks for your help. Bring it on, folks!

[mrs767er]

How about UIO and go to Cotapaxi in the Andes, then go to the Equator and have lunch.

Tempting, but 2 of us old broads have issues w/lungs or heart. One of us won't be hiking at all (guess?)! Not sure if we'd do well getting to UIO as nonrevs.

[ddagencylv]

Tempting, but 2 of us old broads have issues w/lungs or heart. One of us won't be hiking at all (guess?)! Not sure if we'd do well getting to UIO as nonrevs.

Tempting, but 2 of us old broads have issues w/lungs or heart...lol

[Migflanker]

Tempting, but 2 of us old broads have issues w/lungs or heart. One of us won't be hiking at all (guess?)!

So that old circus train injury is still bothering you?

[offroader]

Another option could be GUA, from GUA you can take a shuttle van to Antigua ($10 each) and just relax for a couple of days. Not a very big town but its nice and relaxing and I felt safe, lots of expats.
Guatemala is not a very safe country for hiking and its advisable to have a guide. There are tours that will take groups to the volcanoes in the area.
GUA is an overnight flight from LAX, or at least it was, I have not rechecked. Arriving in GUA in the AM.
When I went I was picked up by a coworkers family for a ride to Antigua but took the shuttle back to Guatemala City so not sure how to catch the shuttle at the airport. There is always taxi's, its about a 45 minute drive, not sure the cost.
When I went, I took another shuttle ($10) from Antigua to San Pedro La Laguna and spent a few days there. It seems a lot of things are $10, the shuttles, the private room/private bath hostels and a lot of the meals (to me seemed overpriced compared to prices of shuttles/rooms).

Anyways, just another option.

[mrs767er]

Another option could be GUA, from GUA you can take a shuttle van to Antigua ($10 each) and just relax for a couple of days. Not a very big town but its nice and relaxing and I felt safe, lots of expats.
Guatemala is not a very safe country for hiking and its advisable to have a guide. There are tours that will take groups to the volcanoes in the area.
GUA is an overnight flight from LAX, or at least it was, I have not rechecked. Arriving in GUA in the AM.
When I went I was picked up by a coworkers family for a ride to Antigua but took the shuttle back to Guatemala City so not sure how to catch the shuttle at the airport. There is always taxi's, its about a 45 minute drive, not sure the cost.
When I went, I took another shuttle ($10) from Antigua to San Pedro La Laguna and spent a few days there. It seems a lot of things are $10, the shuttles, the private room/private bath hostels and a lot of the meals (to me seemed overpriced compared to prices of shuttles/rooms).

Anyways, just another option.

It's an option, offroader. Elder sis and I did it driving our own car! (What were we thinking???) Bad roads and no markers make it extremely difficult, plus dodging chicken buses is NO FUN. They don't even have GPS or maps, so shuttle is the way. We stayed in Antigua but wished we'd gone to coffee plantation. It was last minute substitute for Peru (no seats for LIM). We also went to Pana and got a lake house (really funky, weird mystery vortex kind of place) in town nr La Laguna. There's a French restaurant there--Guy is owner and he does the paragliding over the lake. Even had a spa w/volcanic hot springs on the other posada grounds. Damned hot water, too. We looked like a couple of scrawny lobsters /legs. Felt boiled, too!
All in all, it was fun despite the fact we had no idea where we were really going...GUA might be an issue for SFO (buddy) since she can't zed. I'm the only one who can. She can always meet us in ATL and we can figure it out from there.

[LLBeans]

Wow, what a bunch of great suggestions. I am really new at training and I can't wait to have that kind of benefits. Have you thought about visiting NYC or have you already been there? It's somehow my dream place but I've also never been there. There are also a lot of hotel deals there, like Cheap hotels in New York, Find Discount Hotel Rooms / Rates in New York, NY - HotelsCheap.org, if you don't get any company deals. Please, update us what you have chosen, posts like yours make me stay at the program!

[mrs767er]

Thanks, Beans. I did biz for 20 yrs in fashion industry (lived elsewhere) but lived in Midtown for several months and hated that part. I agree that it's a great destination for nonrevs. So many things to do/see. I'd really like to go back w/hubby for a few days, tho. Have family w/new baby in SpaHa.
If you decide to go, I can offer lots of suggestions!