Guatemala Trip - Day One

Monday, February 4th

We started out early - arriving at the church at a.m. to meet the van. To say that Mark isn't a fan of flying is a bit of an understatement. But, our flights went well. We made it to Atlanta with juuuuust enough time to make our connection. The flight from Atlanta to Guatemala City took about 3 hours. Mark and I were glad to be able to sit together on the plane. I had a window seat. Here are some of the views we enjoyed:

When we arrived at the airport in Guatemala City, it was very apparent that we were in a whole new world. The toilet in the bathroom didn't have a toilet seat (perching on the rim isn't all that hard, it turns out). The language barrier became an issue. And, we saw the first of what we would soon find out are ever-present armed guards.

Our host, David, was perfectly comfortable driving his 12 passenger van through the chaotic streets of Guatemala City. Traffic laws (like many other laws) are more like suggestions. We were also surprised at all of the American fast-food restaurants. Burger King, Dominos, and McDonalds all readily visible. David, however, took us to a Guatemalan fast food chain caled Pollo Campanos. We also really ejoyed seeing the old busses, which were colorfully painted and chromed, and filled to the brim. Here are some shots of what we saw in Guatemala City:

(The exchange rate is approx 7.6 Quetzalis for every dollar)


After lunch we started off on the long drive over the mountainous pan-American highway. We alternated between driving through relatively-remote stretches, and long, sprawling towns. It was shocking to see the poverty. Some of the houses were little more than shacks. The farms, also, were so different that it was striking. Farmers usually can only afford tiny (maybe 1 or 1 1/2 acre) plots of land that are right on the mountainside and so steep I don't know how they even walk on them, let alone do any work. Everything is done by hand. I don't even know how many men and boys we saw carrying crude metal shovels, or how many women we saw carrying huge loads of vegetables on their backs or heads. What we saw the most of, however, was dogs. There were dogs everywhere - most of them so skinny they looked like they were about to die. We saw dead dogs, too. I did a roadside dead animal count, and was at 10 by the time we arrived. One was a cow. There were animals everywhere. We saw many, many people with cattle or horses tied very close to the roadside so they could graze. There were also people shepherding herds of goats and sheep, and chickens everywhere.

The drive was, however, beautiful. It took about 3 1/2 hours to climb to the summit (including a stop we made at a beautiful roadside rest stop). At the peak, we were over 10,000 feet above sea level. The descent was much faster - only about 30 minutes.

Here are a few of the pics I took along the way:

 Beautiful flowers growing at the roadside stop.

After such a long day of travel, we were very glad to arrive at David and Mirsa's house  in Quetzaltenango, which is called Xela (say: Shay-lah) by the locals and natives. Supper was phenomenal - roast beef, green beans, rice, rolls, home made tortillas, and ice cream with brownie pudding for dessert. 

After we were done eating, we headed to the hotel (Hotel 6). It is dated, and not up to the standards that I'd be thrilled with in an American hotel. It also has an armed guard (as did the entry to the gated community where David and Mirsa live). We are getting used to this sight, but it is unusual. The best part, though, was that the hotel had a bed, which was all that mattered. Can't say we slept the best, since it was veeerry noisy in the city, but it felt terrific to sleep! It is strange to be in a place where the houses and hotels have neither furnaces nor air conditioners.