Vanuit Flores de bus naar Semuc Champey genomen met kleine tussenstop in Coban, waar de andere passagiers gretig een fastfoodhap binnenschrokten, bewoonde wereld zou nameljik niet meer lang duren. Semuc Chempey ligt namelijk in de bergen van Guatemala op een slecht bereikbare plek, in Lanquin moesten we dan ook overstappen op een pick-up, of toch de laadbak ervan. Goed vasthouden want soms ging het echt steil omhoog of naar beneden, met ruige wegen. Ik raakte aan de praat met een meisje uit Californie, die rond aan het reizen was met haar moeder. Zij had het jaar ervoor als vrijwilligster op G [View Full Entry]

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Na het oversteken van de grens merkten we meteen dat we in een totaal verschillend land terecht kwamen; de wegen onverhard en hobbelig, veel kleine hutjes en mensen in traditionele indianenkleren, veel koeien met een slobberige nek langs de weg, het type heilige koe van India. We kwamen aan op het eilandje Flores, middenin een meer. De buschauffeur zette ons af aan de hostel Los Amigos, gehouden door een Nederlander en een excentrieke Brit. Het zag er geweldig uit, patio met banenenbomen inclusief papegaai, schommel, hangmatten, vegetarisch restaurantje, .. Enkel de piepende deur van de dor [View Full Entry]

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o [View Full Entry]

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Hi guys I'm not trying to confuse you. Some have alreaday asked me why they keep getting blong entries. I simply am years behind with my blog but I want to keep writing because it's my personal memory of my trip(s). Now I'm going to change the country because I'm travelling at the moment and I want to provide you with up to date information. If'f you're confused, just have a look at the date of my entries. Have fun reading! 04.07.2009 - 05.07.2009 Neverending journey!!! Although I've got some experience in travelling now and although I know what I need [View Full Entry]

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So, after about 4 weeks of living in Guatemala and experiencing all the great things this country has to offer, I have decided someone needs to document their traffic laws. That way any new drivers in Guatemala can have some sort of basis to go off of when learning to drive, and foreign drivers can get accustomed to the cultural differences. 1. honk to tell other drivers to get out of the way 2. honk to let pedestrians know you are coming 3. honk to let other cars know when you are passing them on the shoulder driving on a cliff [View Full Entry]

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In Antigua, the Calles run East-West and the Caminos run North-South. This makes it easy to read the map. Visitors think this means it is easy to find your way around. The only problem is--there are no street signs. In your hotel room you can think, plan and organize your walk around Antigua. But you won’t find your way around by thinking. There are no signs. You have to look up from the map, find the landmarks and use your gut feelings about which way to go. Guatemala taught me the joy of going with my guts. Saturday was our last [View Full Entry]

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Saludos a tod@s, Como bien les prometí, no van a poderse deshacer de mi tan facilmente..., noooo , les habia prometido a todos mantener la comunicación y ponerles al día de mi periplo por tierras centroaméricanas y sobre todo tenerles infomados de cómo es el dia a dia en esta ONG del que muchos estabais interesados, y como también se trata de cumplir sueños...vamos a hacerlos realdad juntos!! Espero con este blog hacerles llegar un poquito de la realidad que vive este pais y sus gentes y sobre todo la realidad en este centro donde voy a intentar ayudar y cont [View Full Entry]

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As the fourth of July is upon us, Americans have 10 reasons to celebrate. The Bill of Rights. Guatemala does not have a Bill of Rights. Speech isn’t free everywhere. I have agonized over the writing of this blog. I long to share with you all the power, courage and beauty of my friend Julio’s work. It is what has impressed me the most about this extraordinary man. But I can’t do it over the internet. So, you are all invited to join me at my home on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 7PM. I’ll provide the margaritas and dinner. Julio [View Full Entry]

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I was lightheaded. I felt giddy, merry, joyous, free. Was it the climb up the side of the mountain? Was it the altitude? Was it the invigorating air that filled my lungs? No matter. Hiking behind Julio and Luke on a mountain trail at 8200 feet, and way above Lake Atitlan, I felt high. My thesaurus has 32 words for beautiful. None of them describe the mountains of Santa Lucia. Upon our arrival Friday morning, Julio hired a truck to take us to a path, about a half mile out of town, that he usually walks to. We would walk back. [View Full Entry]

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My father was a bit of a joker. When I started dating way back in 1972, he wanted to be sure the boys treated me right. When that nervous knock came at the door, he would open it wearing a warm smile and say... “Hello, My name is Herb Beck. You must be a smart young man because my daughter is very special. Here, let me show you my gun collection. I’m an expert marksman. Please have her home by 10:30 PM.” I was always escorted home by 10PM. Meeting the family of someone you care about can be nerve [View Full Entry]

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