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Published: November 8th 2012
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We started our day by talking to the valet parking guy and asked him to get us a taxi to Miami International, as there was not a shuttle from our particular hotel. As it happens, and in the traditional Latin American style, he knew somebody that would not overcharge us. This special arrangement was only available to us because he is a good guy and just wanted to help. (Yea... OK.) So, private transport to Miami airport was quite exciting and seatbelt was required. Our guy really knew what he was doing, but it was much crazier than the worst of Jacksonville’s morning rush hour traffic. Miami airport was busy, very busy. But, not so much for the international flights. Our hiking backpacks were the only luggage we had and due to the multiple straps and pockets full of who knows what’s and thingy’s, we had to have them wrapped in plastic for the flight. For those of you who have never seen this process take place, we can very easily describe it as a ginormous (it is a real word, look it up) roll of Saran Wrap and a Lazy Susan. A very adept fellow placed our packs, one at
a time, upon the Lazy Susan type device and spun them. As a pack was turning, Saran Wrap was dispensed and applied to our packs. After a few short minutes, we no longer recognized our cool looking packs. What we were left with looked very much like a fly after a spider has wrapped it in webbing, but bright green! The guy was kind enough to slice a hole through the green protective coating to allow for the individual handles to stick out. There would be no mistaking our bags upon arrival! We were then off to the ticket counter. Clay surprised Ann with a change in the ticketing from coach to business class and after a brief check-in, we were off to the Admiral’s Lounge (Yes to upgrades!) for free Bloody Mary’s and breakfast. (see photos). So far so good, until...
THE PLANE, THE PLANE! Full plane, waiting for lost passengers and then the ever dreaded announcement, “maintenance has been called.” But, not to worry, it was only for two very small items and should take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. So there we were... 1 hour later and El Capitan announces that the problem has
been solved!!! However, it should only take another 10 to 15 minutes for the paperwork to be completed. Seriously?!?!? And so we sat. Not unhappily because, big seats (check), leg room (check), champagne and OJ (check) and no crying babies (CHECK!). So although we had to sit for an hour longer in our seats, life was good and we enjoyed each other’s company and our respective books. After several mimosas (thinking of our former neighbors while sipping them) and a few chapters later, we were jetting through the air toward Guatemala City.
During our flight, as coach was being offered a snack of nuts and pretzels, we had a wonderful salad, pot roast and perfectly cooked vegetables, red wine and chocolate ice cream. Yummmmo! The flight was a little bumpy, perfect for reading and snoozing off. Before we knew it, we were landing in Guatemala City! Luckily, we had filled out our customs forms correctly and for the first time and seemingly magically, there was not one person ahead of us to get through customs. GREAT START! Down to baggage and out to our driver, only he wasn’t there. It was a little scary (to Ann only, of course
There was significant traffic and no traffic lanes or any apparent rules. We kept Wilson securely in Ann’s bag so that he would not be scared. Our driver told us that there had been an earthquake that morning at the Mexican border and the traffic was much more than usual. He said that some people had died. (That made us sad.) Later at dinner, some guy was talking about his room shaking. We missed it!
There are the interesting “chicken” buses (see photo) that are the main transportation in the country. They are old school buses imported from the U.S. (many still bear the names of the schools or their districts). They are everywhere and crowded. I am sure we will get on one, eventually. We could not believe the frequency of Taco Bell Restaurants (is it a restaurant?) on the way, advertising “salsa wraps.” We were well on our way to Antigua and our hotel, speeding around curves and hurling down the mountains (luckily, not needing the emergency stopping uphill exit made of gravel and sand). All of a sudden, just five miles away, we encountered an abrupt stop of traffic. Another hour later, we were in
Antigua. The hour of crawling was road construction. We guess that they are trying that shovel ready approach here as well.
Our hotel, how charming! Photos will be coming. Our room, charming! Hot water and a toilet, charming. Unfortunately, no paper allowed to be flushed. Completely NOT charming. Apparently, the infrastructure is not quite sturdy enough to withstand the brutal force of tissue paper... huh? Se la vie!
Although we were very well fed on the plane, that was many, many hours ago and all we wanted to do was eat and settle in for the evening. We wasted no time meandering and approached the gentleman at the desk for some direction. He was not much help as his “English not too good.” Clay was too tired to even try to talk in Spanish. So, we asked a very nice couple staying the room next to ours for a recommendation for dinner. They told us of a place just down the street that was small, quiet and served delicioso comida. We ended up at “Hector’s” about a block and a half away and across from the major park and church. See photos of dinner. Only 6 tables, but
fabulous food (look at the plating!), at a great price. Filtered water was served in old wine bottles. Homemade pasta was hanging from the ceiling, drying. Eventually, the typical loud and annoying US people came in and sat at the bar. Time to head back to a comfy bed and shower.
Well-fed, clean and tired, we had the perfect setting for sleep on the first night in this part of the world. To our followers, we bid you goodnight and hope you will continue to enjoy our journey.
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Sandra Hedrick
non-member comment
Loved the Entry, Wonderful Day
Hi Sis and Clay. Glad to hear about your glorious 1st day. Keep posting the pictures. We can't wait to read more :) Sandra