Blogs from Western Highlands, Guatemala, Central America Caribbean - page 98

Cold. Bleak. Depressing. Climbing the final ascent of Central America's highest peak was just plain frigid. Sure, it was summer below in Quetzaltenango but up there in the volcanic rise of Tajumulco hail was peppering our tents lightly as a polite patter to the not so polite rumble of my tent mate's snores. It was 4.30 Am and soon we were herded out of our tents by our school principal and a guy who looked a lot like an Ewok (However, I feel obliged to point out that he lacked the requisite agility and strength that they possess. This old geezer was always a good 45 minutes behind the group during the climb. Really, he only had the effusive body hair and sticks that he used for the dual purpose of a walking aide and to ... read more

The women are pushing their way through the narrow aisles carrying colorfully woven scarves, table cloths, placemats. On their heads or shoulders are laundry basket size bundles of more of the same. Often on their backs is a baby wrapped securely in a brightly woven scarf. The men are bent over with heavy baskets or boxes of tomators, corn, seeds, wood or other products headed for the food market. No one pays much attention to tourists as this is their market. Saint Tomas church is a blend of Christian and Mayan customs. The 18 steps are said to represent the steps of Mayan altars. The only ones that are supposed to walk up them are the Mayans. The rest of us are supposed to use a side door. Often the steps are covered with pine needles ... read more

Arrived yesterday in Panajachel by shuttle; it took about 2.5 hours travelling through the western mountain ranges. Weather is a lot cooler here. Dodgy driver told us our accommodation was around the corner, but it turned out to be a little further than expected. A bit miffed since he was supposed to drop us at the door. To add insult to injury the hotel (Hotel Utz Jay) didn´t have our booking even though I had a confirmed email as proof. They managed to book us into alternative accommodation (Monte Rosa), however the owner wanted immediate payment. We enquired about a shuttle to Guatemala City for the next afternoon. He said the charge would be $20 each & he wanted immediate payment for that too. Sounded a bit strange but thought he was trying to be helpful ... read more

So wirbt der guatemaltekische Fremdenverkehrsverein fuer Guatemala: "Wann haben sie das letzte Mal etwas zum ersten Mal gemacht?" Deshalb zum Einstieg einmal eine kurze Auflistung der Dinge, dich ich seit dem letzten Eintrag zum ersten Mal erlebt habe: * Eine Salsastunde * Einen Ueberfall * Einen Farbrausch anlaesslich einer Kirche * Ein Kino mit Fernseher statt Leinwand * Eine Lebensmittelvergiftung * Einen Schweineverkauf auf dem Markt * Einen Dschungelausflug Dann fang ich jetzt mal richtig an: Anfang letzter Woche haben wir erst einmal die Familie gewechselt- und hatten 1 Tuer, 2 nette Eltern und 3 ziemlich coole Kinder um uns herum. Wenn wir nicht in der Sprachschule oder dort waren, haben wir eigentlich nur gechillt... mal schwimmen gewesen, dann noch mal paddeln... wenig Aufregendes. Bis... SAMSTAG! Der Ueberfall Am Samstag sind wi... read more

Wow - its been thyat long since I updated this site? Maybe you read the updates opn the kid´s site. Since I changed homes over two weeks ago its´been very busy. Living enar the centre of town encourages me to go out more in the evening, as I have tonight, buyt most internet cafes close between 7:30 and 8:30. Last night I went for a stroll but the one I got to was open only a very short time - just enough to call Dianne (my wife). Many stores are open until 7:30 or later. I started checking out shoes becayse the ones I have been wearing are collapsing with all the walking I´ve done, much of it on uneven surfaces like broker cobblestones and of course the volcano. But I hope I can find some ... read more