Blogs from Western Highlands, Guatemala, Central America Caribbean - page 14

I snagged the middle seat in the front of the collectivo van and by 8:40 we were off, heading towards Comitan, and subsequently, the border with Guatemala. There was no blockade to stop me this time, unlike yesterday, when I was forced by unforeseen circumstances to stay one more night in San Cristobal due to a roadblock that wouldn't allow any buses past. The driver drove slowly over the numerous speed bumps and was careful and cautious throughout the entire journey. Exactly one hour and forty minutes later we arrived to the collectivo stand in Comitan, the exact same one that housed the onward collectivo to the immigration office at Comalapa. A ten-minute wait for passengers and the full van left, arriving shortly at the border with Guatemala. The one lazy, unfriendly immigration officer on duty ... read more

Hola again, Have made it to Panajachal in Guatamala. Interesting day ourfirst land boarder crossing all went very smoothly. Group decission not to do the chicken buses much to our relief so up graded to a minibus. Really noticing the differences between Mexico and Guatamala very different landscape and people. For those of you at work (see I do think of you all) I am like a giant here no longer feel like I am in a hole. Today we are going to do a walk around the town this morning and a boat trip across the lake this afternoon. Once again we are going to try to post some pickies.... read more

On my final day at the lakes decide I must go swimming. I climb through the path of a natural wildlife park and then scramble down the rocks and drop into the beautiful deep emerald water. I have the lake completley to myself – the basin of water is lit up silver by the sun like a bowl of mercury lapping at the foot of the green hills that rise in smoky peaks around me. Yellow butterflies dance at the waters edge, electric blue dragonflies ski over the water. Further down there are small boys jumping off trees into the water. I make my way back to the posada- San Marco is a litte rabbit warren of tiny cobbled streets leading up hill dotted with gringo cafes and restaurants along the way. In some of the ... read more

When you're in Guatemala, it's hard not to notice the moutains. It takes hours to get everywhere as you weave up and down and between them, your ears popping as you cope with the altitude. At night they're lit up by trememdous thunderstorms. In Xela itself, surrounded by mountains and the enormous Santa Maria, you're already at 2000m. So it would be silly just to stare at them, and not climb one. Right? Xela is home to a number of tour agencies, but Quetzaltrekkers caught my eye - both in the guidebook and on the street. The guidebook informed me that they were a non-profit (a favourite phrase of mine) organisation, staffed by volunteers. My introductory chat at the beautifully painted Casa Argentina in town informed me that entirety of their income goes towards a home ... read more

So. This week couldn´t be much different from last. I ended last week sat on a derserted tropical island with some of my favourite people, sipping drinks in the shallows and snorkelling in the sea. I ended this one sat in my rain mac and my prettiest dress in an internet cafe sheltering from the tremendous thunderstorm illuminating the mountains that surround Xela. I was supposed to be going out with my fellow students from El Nahual language school, but the thunderstorm and rain got the better of them and they bailed. My journey here was pretty tough. Hannah and I left Utila on Tuesday.We´d made plans with a camp Brazillian cigar salesman called Alejandro (no, really) to travel with him as far as Copan Ruinas and stay overnight at his place, but that all went ... read more