Guatemala City!!!

Okay...here it is...what you've all been waiting for...the first Guatemala blog!!!

So what have I been doing for the past few days.

8/28 - I arrived at 11...got out of the airport around 12:30 couldn't find a bus to get to the Couch Surfer's house...but managed to find a taxi who would take me for 35Q...about $4.50...cheaper than the usual...and got a stranger to let me use his phone. CSer told me she had another girl at her house who would let me in. Showed the taxi driver the address and off we went. Had a great conversation with him in spanish on the way there.

Got into the house and met Kate (from Boston) she took me to Zona 1 for lunch...I was bummed she didn't take me to a place I could eat real Guatemalan food, but that's okay...walked around the city, say a few buildings, the central market. Found this crazy lookin fruit. It was redish pink with yellow tentackles. You open it up and its clear white in side....kinda looked like a peeled grape and tasted like one too..had a seed in the center. Couldn't understand the lady we bought it from when we asked what it was called. And Brad's Guatemalan girlfriend didn't know either! Finally googled it and it is called Rambutan! It's not safe in Zona 1 after dark so we took a taxi back to the house. I couldn't keep my eyes open and took a nap. Literally fell asleep while the dog was yanking on the chew toy. Woke up and went to the Academy (the english school) and met up with Teresa and Brad (they live in the house). We hung out in Brad's class and talked to his students about random stuff....it was conversation night for them. Then went and had pizza for dinner...bummed again no really guatemalan food! Went home and had rum and cokes and just hung out...nice and relaxing night!

8/29 - Next morning went to breakfast..finally had real food...Desayuno Chipan...Guatemalans call themselves Chapinos...so I had Guatemalan Breakfast! Fried egg, goat cheese, black beans with cream, and plantanes. Good stuff. Teresa took me to a "Mirador" (lookout) and I could see the city...but it was a little hazy, so its not the best pic. Ran errands...had to get an air mattress for the 2 girls that were coming later that day. Went with Brad to Zona 12 and got to see the real city. I've been staying in Zona 14 which is the wealthy part...very safe place! Went to the Megapaca..thrift store....and walked around some markets...Brad could see I was over his shopping adventure and took me to a place and we had some beers Chipan style. Salt and lime in Gallo Cervesa! (yes it has a picture of a roster on the bottle!....cock beer anyone?) Good stuff. Went to a rich people house party at night (Brad's girlfriend's friends). They were all very nice!!! Biggest house I've seen. Found out the girls parents are living in a very small apartment in Brazil because they can't afford anything else with their mansion and beach house in Guate. These "rich" kids are only rich in Guatemala...they wouldn't have these lives if they lived anywhere else. Well...that catches you up.

8/30 - today I went to breakfast with the canadian and Teresa and Brad. Breakfast was amazing!!! Love the food so far. Went to a few museums, the the cathedral and took a free tour of the presidential palace. Now back at the house drink bloody mary's and relaxing for the nights activities. Canadians leave tomorrow and I"m off to Antigua. Supposed to be super touristy (more tourist than locals) but it is a can't miss place. Can't wait to tell you all about it!

Enjoy the photos! (haven't taken too many...gotta get better at that!)

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Part of trip: Guatemala and Belize

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