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Published: August 10th 2007
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Heading to the Spring
The clouds were so thick you could hardly see. Well we decided to leave San Pedro and head to Quetzaltenango, called Xela for short. We could tell the day would be interesting just from the start. We go out to find a tuk tuk to take us to the chicken bus stop, and the drivers tells us everything is free. Appearantly there is some type of anniversary and all the rides are free for the day. Score!
We get dropped off on some corner and wait around for about 15 minutes until a bus pulls up. You know its funny, you can't really tell where a bus stop is here, you just hang out with a group of other people and a bus will come. We supposedly have a 2 hour drive on this bus until kilometer 148, and then we will wait for a bus there that is supposed to be a one hour trip. The road to Xela is so crazy. It is really steep and full of hard U-turns that I am suprised a school bus can make, by the way I might add that we were driving through some of the most beautiful mountain ranges I have ever seen.
At km148 we get off
Hot Springs
Not a bad spot. Especially since it was like 40 or 50 degrees outside Hot Springs
Hot Springs
Not a bad spot. Especially since it was like 40 or 50 degrees outside
the bus and wait a few minutes in the middle of nowhere until another bus shows up. The next leg of our journey we hit this massive traffic jam. It has been raining all day and the road up ahead washed out. We had to wait there for around two or three hours until they brought bulldozers in to clear it away. A 3 hour journey just turned into a 6 hour trip.
When we finally arrive in Xela it is all chaos. The main bus station is right in front of a large market. There are food standes everwhere, fruits stalls, clothing, everything you can imagine. It also happens to be raining and probably around 50 degrees. Ok its finally time to break down and buy a coat. I get robbed and pay $12 for a crappy reproduction jacket. Unfortunately when they look at you standing in the freezing cold rain in shorts and a t-shirt they know they don't have to give you much of a deal.
We take a taxi into town and book a room at
View from the Road
Just a photo on the ride the first hostel we check. It is freezing cold and pouring rain. Nobody really cares where we are
View from the Road
View from the Road
Just a photo on the ride
as long as we are all dry. I will say that this place had the hottest shower I have ever had in a 3rd world country. They light a fire under a giant metal tank and that water fed the shower. Oh man it was fantastic. The nightlife in Xela is not that interesting. There are a couple of bars scattered around town, buts thats about it. Restaurants are still open, but that is about it.
Today we decided to head to some hot springs called Fuenta Georgina. They are natural hot springs way up high in the mountains. We start our journey there by taking a chicken bus to Zunil. From there we have to catch a pick up truck to the springs. We start asking around in town for a truck and they all want to charge us 50 quetzales. We decide we will try and walk towards the spring and catch a truck on the way. As we get farther and farther out of
For My Mom
A diabetes center in Guatemala town the prices start getting higher, until they finally crest at 100 quetzales. We still won't budge and lave town and continue walking towards the springs, which happen to be 8km away.
For My Mom
For My Mom
A diabetes center in Guatemala
Eventually we flag down a family willing to give us a ride for 30 quetzales.
The hot springs were an amazing place. They are all the way up in the clouds and the air is cold, but the springs are so warm. We swam for a while and talked with some locals. After we were done swiming we decide to see if any of the locals grilling near the springs will sell us some food rather than eating at the restaurant. We go walking down the path and the first people we ask invite us to share their food with us. They would not let us pay a thing. After we are done eating they offer us a ride all the way back to Xela. We actually had a great time taking a free ride to town in the back of a pick-up in the cold rain. We are going to stay here for one more
Crazy Bus Ride
They still don't slow down. Even when you can't see shit night and then start slowly making our way back to Guatemala City.
Price Guide for Potential Travelers
1. Rooms lakeside in San Pedro were 25Q each person for a triple
2. Chicken buses from San Pedro to Xela 20Q total
3. Rooms
Crazy Bus Ride
Crazy Bus Ride
They still don't slow down. Even when you can't see shit
in Xela at Posoda Don Diego and first place 35Q each person
4. Chicken bus Xela to Zunil 3.5Q
5. Average meal in decent place in Xela 30Q to 90Q
6. Average meal in local joints 10Q to 25Q
Q equals quetzales, if you are planning a trip you should already know that and you can probably do the conversion yourself.
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Magda (Warner's Mom)
non-member comment
You should listen to your Mother!!!
When I told you guys it was winter in Guatemala, you didn't listen!! I am glad you guys are having a great time. These comments are hysterical, we are having fun reading them. Keep up the pictures though, it's fun seeing you guys!!! Love, Mom