Blogs from Quetzaltenango, Western Highlands, Guatemala, Central America Caribbean - page 6

The weekend is here, we slept for an extra hour today and that was great. I am looking forward to the visits to the coffee plantation and Tak Alik Abha (the Myan ruins near Xela) we leave at 9 AM and the tour is for the full day. It will be a relaxing day spent enjoying the country side and history of Guatemala. It is difficult to find the words to describe this country, its people and the contrasts between the cities and rural environments. The city of Xela is large and dirty, the people are all busy just as in any large city in the world. The roads are narrow and in constant need of repair, just up the road from our hotel there was a leak in the water mains, which for the first ... read more

A quick breakfast and onto the vans with Clara heading to Panamaquim and the School. The views as we drove through the mountians were just amazing. The volcano Santa Maria was a highlight in the distance as the clouds surrounded it. The village and the school were waiting for us, with the yearly celebration. I found it interesting to see the children two years later and to observe the difference the nutrition program has made for them. Miguel was there in his wheel chair with his mother, both with great smiles. After much celebration and dancing we were served a lunch of egg and beans, very similar to what the children have been receiving through the chicken house program. We saw the chicken house full of chickens they all looked healthy and are laying eggs at ... read more

After spending last year in Asia I decided it was time to return to Latin America. I wanted to study Spanish and visit some friends in Colombia, so I decided to study in Guatemala, and then make my way through Central America to Colombia. I would be traveling of ground inland but I had plenty of time for those bus rides. I left Chicago on October 12th with a flight into Guatemala via Houston. It all started with plane problems in Houston and having to reboard a new plane. Then we get close to Guatelmala City and they are having big storms so we can't land there and need to go to Honduras to refuel. Instead of arriving at 10:40 as scheduled, I arrived around 4:30. I arrived in Antigua and spent 1 night before leaving ... read more

February 5th we have been here for not quite 24 hours. Dana (my 14yr old niece) is seeing everything with eyes of amazement. We arrived mid afternoon and met Keith and Lisa at the airport to catch a shuttle to Posada La Merced in Antiqua. Before we were out of the airport Lisa had been pick pocketed, a quick reminder to us all that we need to take care. The drive out of Guatemala city was hot and smelly but uneventful. Upon arrival at the posada, we took luggage to rooms and then set out for a walk about the town. A celebration of some sort was taking place and there were jugglers and partiers everywhere. We noticed a number of pet dogs on leads which seemed unusual as this has not been the case in ... read more

Well it is February 1st and we leave on the 4th for Guatemala. This year we are taking my niece Dana with us to build stoves in the Western Highlands. It will be a very interesting trip for her as she has never been on a plane before, never mind a third world country. I am looking forward to her fresh eyes on the things we see in Guatemala. I am packed and mostly ready to go, the cats and plants will be well looked after by Rachel so I have no concerns there. The baggage has become a little more difficult as you are only allowed one checked bag along with one carry on, previously I have been used to two pieces of checked luggage. We got an army surplus duffel bag and it is ... read more