An angel took me to Antigua

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After all the energy and effort of preparing to come, it was a relief to finally be on the plane to Guatemala City (GUA)...even if it was a middle seat. To my great fortune (as I would later realize) I ended up next to a girl from Illinois who lives in a small town close to Antigua with her husband and adopted Guatemalan daughter. She is here in the mission filed working to set up an orphanage. As we departed she gave me her number, in case I should need anything and offered to help negotiate a shuttle rate.

What guidebooks, travel websites, tour operators etc don´t tell you is that the GUA airport is under construction to be the best airport in Central America. This means that the promised services (like shuttle desks, taxi stands and money exchanges ) don´t exist. As you leave customs you are ushered quickly outside through the construction (employees wear masks) to a dusty, busy welcoming sidewalk, where people wait for their loved ones, and there is an onslaught of people yelling taxi - Antigua- Xela - among other things. Official and non- official taxis beckon. Shuttles may have been those van-like contraptions...but I will never know. I decided to wait until my new friend came out to ask for help. They eventually came out and were greeted by Oscar - from the orphanage. Then they were accosted by this not-so-travel savvy-feeling girl (me) looking for advice. It was quickly decided that I should not hop in a taxi by myself, but that they would take me to their town and find me a taxi there. So on I went to a place I had had no intention of going with perfect strangers. Good. Kind. Helpful. Trustworthy (?) strangers. Would I do this at home? Not likely. Funny enough, I wasn´t even worried. In fact, I felt more at ease, knowing I had help. This seemed to be the safest option. If anyone is interested in a great Travelogue, try Tales of a Female Nomad. I am struck by how such experiences happened to the author, and turned out fine.

So off we went, and en route, not only was it decided that Melisa would drive me from their house, but we were stopped by the police for an inspection of our safety equipment in the car. Apparently all vehicles must have a fire extinguisher, traffic triangles (orange) and other stuff. Note that this is in a city/country where some cars shouldn´t be on the road, without doors, headlights, excess pollution, etc. We left with a 200 Quetzal fine...which you pay in the bank. I was totally expecting an attempt to get a bribe...but nope!

Melisa and I left Zael (daughter) and Jeremy (husband) for an amazingly quick trip to Antigua. I could never have found my way here driving! There were no overhead signs...kilometres or miles away saying this way to Antigua. You just have to know.

Melisa took me to my hotel Casa los Bucaros - nice simple hotel...clean with hot water, and purified water available. No roommates yet, so we left to find some lunch. You will all be surprised to know (except maybe Daren, Catherine and Harris) that I had Quesadillas as my first meal in Guatemala! yum! I bought her lunch (at Las Palmas - yummy but more pricey than most places ) and in return got a nice meal and great conversation. I am still struck by how generous and kind she was and how I feel like I should repay her many times over for making me feel welcome in this country. A couple of hours into the trip and i already have a new friend, an orphanage for students to volunteer-intern at, a coffee source (they export to the USA), and 2 business cards.

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Comments

[Monica]

Wow!
Kirsten! What an incredible story...it is so odd and wonderful what happens when you travel. Thank you so much for sharing your trip details--too bad you don't have more time to explore these wonderful spots! How about a trip back to Toledo? It looks like a fabulous spot...we should plan to meet there :) Glad to hear that you are doing well and it is so good to hear from you. Miss you a great deal and I can't wait to hear more from your work trip! Monica

["T"]

Just got back!
Hey! Just got back from Antigua! Very cool... I am now visiting family up in Canada! Enjoy your travels! Miss ya!