Cat lover(s) wanted to give loving kindness, and food, for a month and a half while I visit grandkids in the US. Sweet MisMau is a nocturnal outdoor lover, sometimes proficient hunter, and loves to snuggle on a lap during her daytime rest periods. She's a tabby, independent as she knows what she wants and when she wants it (like most cats, right?) The one who feeds her is likely to be the most loved.
About the house and area: It is in a safe condominium complex with security guard at the gate, but not the kind that are carrying a gun. This community of San Lucas is quite safe, and I consider it a "bedroom community" for the big city of Guatemala just 20 kilometers away. There is ample forested area around the complex, which is on a hillside and where lots are not yet built on, with paved streets where you can walk and enjoy a view of Agua Volcano, or sometimes Pacaya Volcano as well. The temperature here at 6000 feet altitude is eternal spring, usually in the low 70's and maybe hitting a hot day of 78 degrees now and then. The time of year will be the end of rainy season so very pleasant days. November is often the most windy month.
The house itself has 2 bedrooms and a studio, with two full baths and a guest bath. The living area and kitchen are one long room. Two large flat screen TVs, microwave, gas stove and oven, fridge, and laundry room with washer and dryer. We have hot water only in the showers, no tub. Unfortunately, while there are great views outside in the neighborhood our view is only of the driveway where the car sits with a big grin on its face. The house is still new, not fancy but home;, we've been the first renters for four years.
San Lucas is about halfway between Guatemala City where the airport is and Antigua, which is THE popular destination of this country. It's about a 20 minute drive but there are also public buses in both directions for a very low price and passing frequently. It's less than 10 minutes walk to buses and a few minutes more to our big shopping mall that includes a full supermarket, banks, a wonderful bakery/restaurant, pharmacy, many shops and restuarants. Like or not, those include MacDonald's, Taco Bell, Ceasars Pizza, and Lai Lai Chinese.
But Antigua is the World Heritage Site that even Guatemaltecos flock to, every weekend. Lots to see and do, not just close by, but the country is about the size of Tennessee and most can be reached on decent highways, tour shuttles, and big luxury buses. A few active volcanos can be seen puffing, hiked, and photographed. Pacific Ocean beaches about hours away are black sand from volcanos, good surfing but dangerous for swimmers. The Atlantic side has a big marina culture where boats hunker down for hurricane season in safety of the Rio Dulce area. Both coasts of course are tropical at sea level with the mountainous volcano chain down the center of the country. Several sites to visit Mayan ruins, villages where Maya women still weave their gorgeous fabrics, and the Lake Atitlan is another popular tourist spot.
You should know that this country has become very popluar low cost for retirees and is full of extranjero communities. You can get by without speaking Spanish in most popular places, but Antigua is an excellent place to take Spanish lessons because the native speakers there speak slowly and clearly by habit.
I have lived here now for 10 years, built some houses that I don't live in, (long story), and I am married to a younger Guatemalteco who will be in the Rio Dulce area while you house and cat sit. Zaqueo cannot take her to the hot jungle where she is too hot to move and sleeps too much. I am the same way about heat and love the mosquito-free place where I mostly stay, San Lucas. He will be there to manage a property I designed and built and to be closer to his family.
That's it for starters. Message if you have more questions.
Happy travels wherever you go! Kari