Sorry for not having updated- my internet access has been sketchy and I don’t have much time to write so this will be a horribly rambling post lacking punctuation pictures and the like.
I write this terribly drab post from Copan, Honduras, where I’ve been since this morning (after a cramped 6.5 hour ride in a teeny combi van sitting rammed between Liebling and a bitchy English chick who had the gall to tell me that I wasn’t giving her enough room when she basically had her crusty Chuck Taylors sprawled across my knees- it wasn’t cute).
Anyhoo, we got to Guatemala City on Friday afternoon, after a harrowing 15 minutes at the Toronto airport where Liebling was detained by security officials and I thought that he wasn’t going to make it on the plane with me. He eventually made it to the gate and I was able to settle down with my trashy magazines (OK and Life & Style- I really wanted to buy Star but at $4.99 for one it was much more appealing to buy two magazines at $2.99 each). We then flew from Toronto to Miami without incident and chilled for two more hours at the Miami airport that had so many Hispanic/Latin people around that I felt like I was in Central America already. It was so awesome.
On the plane ride to Guatemala we were probably the only non-Latino folks apart from a group of German girls sitting behind us that Liebling tried to eavesdrop on. Once in Guate City, we were picked up by a guy sent from our hotel in Antigua, Guatemala, a picturesque colonial city that is about 1 hour away from Guatemala City. One hour away when there is no traffic, that is. But lucky as we were, we got caught in a massive traffic jam so it took us about two. No bother!
We spent the last days in Antigua, practicing Spanish (me), ordering cervezas (Liebling), and getting fat off of the rich and very tasty Guatemalan food (both of us). Guatemala is probably the cheapest country we have ever been to. We have been eating entire meals including entrees and drinks for only 5 euros (7 dollars USD?) per person. It is beautiful here and I wish I could post a picture except the connection is slow here and it would appear that the machine is not reading my memory card.
After a couple of days lolling around our lovely hotel in Antigua and plotting out our trip, we hiked the Pacaya Volcano yesterday in the pouring rain (and lightening and in the dark). It was wet and cold and my camera nearly got ruined since I didn’t have a raincoat (see my previous post as to why) but some lovely Guatemalan boys came to my rescue by selling me two plastic garbage bags with the hole cut out so I could (kinda) be shielded from the rain. Looking back on what I thought to be quite a miserable 3.5 hour trek (in the dark, in the pouring rain, with lightening) I had a great time- our tour guide was great and I got to practice my espanol and there were very cool people on the tour with us (including a Canadian journalist who had just spent four months working for a newspaper in Mexico).
Today, adventurous as we were, and exhausted and sore from the hike yesterday last night, we got up at the crack of dawn (3:30am!!) to make the 6.5 hour journey here (did I mention that already!?), across the border to Copan, Honduras, so that we could check out the ruins, which are quite reputed. We spent a lovely (sun-filled!) day exploring, and are looking forward to dinner tonight. We head back tomorrow and will suffer another 6.5 hours on the bus, which would be okay except for the fact that tomorrow is my birthday (turning 29!!) and though I never really celebrate my birthday I would have preferred to not spend it on a cramped bus. Hopefully there wont be any snarky English girls in cruddy shoes to dampen the mood and take up space that should have been mine.
Anyway, I have dithered on and Liebling is wondering where I am. I hope to update soon (with pictures!) and tell you more about this magical place.
I think that Latin America is one of the most beautiful, culturally rich places in the world and the people are ridiculously kind and open. I can’t even begin to express how lovely people have been with my grammatically poor Spanish and how many smiles and “Buenos dias/tardes” I have received while passing folks in the street. I wish the media didn’t give places like Guatemala and Honduras and Mexico such a bad rep- this is truly a treasure that needs to be discovered.
Okay, time to step off of the soapbox! Sorry once again for this very dense posts with no pics. I hope to post some soon!
Anyone ever been to Latin America? What did you think of it?
36 Comments
Panama is my "home." I lived there for two years and because of the length of time and relationships formed they are my "family." My birthright is Guyana although I was born in the states. I fell in love with Colombia when I visted last year(I am trying to move there)and I really enjoyed Peru. I will see all of Latin America eventually. But you know what I say, if the media prevents you from visiting a place and you believe the hype–GOOD! Stay away, let those of us know the truth and keep it beautiful and treasured! Cuidanse mucho, chica!
We are living in Belize right now a few hours drive from the Guatemala border. We love it here!
Girl, you made me laugh……hope u had more space on the bus! In all my travels, I have never been so South /Central America, and hope to fix that in the new year!
Enjoy! Can't wait for the pictures!!
Sounds like you're having a great time! I haven't traveled enough in Latin America. I can't wait to see your pictures.
@kvowels: I've always dreamed of going to Panama and have researched jobs there. I haven't made it to Colombia nor Peru but they are on my list, too! So ridiculous that people will automatically veto a place based on biased and politically-driven views. Gracias!
@Alida: Very cool! Which town are you in? We were actually thinking going taking a boat over to Punta Gorda, but are not sure if we ll have the time. Seems like a very cool place! What is Belizean patois like?
@kuesooM: Trying to upload pics but the connection is frustratingly slow! Definitely travel in Latin America!
@Terri: Latin America is like a second home and there is just so much love here! I wish I could live here again.
@
Happy belated birthday!
Claro, Oneikita! Central America is my family's stomping ground. We mostly hail from Nicaragua, but have members and close family friends scattered throughout. Was in Honduras a couple weeks last summer (my aunt has some cabins in Roatan), and hope to make it to Guatemala and my uncles place in San Andreas, Colombia in the near future. Will be taking notes from your trip!
PS: Feliz cumple! Perhaps we'll belatedly celebrate your b-day over high tea next month 🙂
Happy belated birthday!
Sounds like you're having a lot of fun, minus the bithcy English chick experience…sorry about that, I live in the UK and it's not at all an uncommon occurence..
Just roll with it and keep on enjoying your adventures!
Right on my man!
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