I arrived in Guatemala yesterday. It is hard, in this moment to believe that it was only yesterday!
After 24+ hours in transit, not surprisingly, I arrived exhausted. I navigated through customs and immigration . . . except that I was so tired, I didn´t even realize that I had made it through immigration. I had to ask at information - and the nice man there pointed out the stamp in my passport.
When I emerged from the airport, as I was told to predict, there was a fenced area beyond which throng of people crowded. The promised, easily-identifiable, shuttle drivers were not so easy to spot, and definitely not within the fenced boundaries. I managed, however, to safely secure myself a shuttle, and after waiting for the driver to find two more souls (they won't leave without at least 3 people), we were on our way to Antigua about 45 minutes later.
The drive from Guatemala City to Antigua was fascinating. The scenery is the constant paradox: lush, verdant green, garbage in the street, shanties, brand- new paved roads, luxury cars, black-smoke puffing chicken buses. Children, dogs and vendors everywhere. The colours of the people and the landscape are amazing - and in stark contrast to the almost gray of some of the buildings.
The other two travelers in the shuttle were also English-speakers, but and far more experienced travelers and both reasonably conversant in Spanish. I got my first immersion experience, with some occasional translation, and some coaching to try some myself. I was pleased at how much I was able to follow - even if I can't yet speak a word.
As we approached Antigua, the driver provided a bit of a tour as he drove through the cobbled streets dropping each of us off. I was last, which was great - because it gave me the most thorough tour and a chance to scope out some places to see and some alternate places to stay. He pointed out a great place for 'authentic' local food, which I was able to find back later that evening for dinner - and WOW was it good.
My hotel the first night was nondescript. My room had a window into the hallway, but not to the outside - so it felt a little like a prison cell, but the bed was reasonably comfortable and there were extra blankets. Thank goodness, because the evenings are surprisingly cool.
Despite my exhaustion, I managed a little wander through town to go find dinner, visited the most amazing crafts market, and checked out a Spanish school. I was impressed by the school, and the lady I talked to. I think I tripped over a good one. However, despite her strong encouragement for me to return this morning, I didn't. I really want to start learning the language - I feel so disrespectful by not speaking it - but I'm hesitant to make any commitments yet. I'm still not sure how long I want to stay in Antigua, and how soon I want to head for Lago Atitlan. I've already switched to the hotel next door (much nicer), but I know I can only stay here for one night, so I'll be shifting again tomorrow. I'm just not sure where.
And I have already discovered how painfully I over-packed. Changing locations is just not easy or appealing with the amount of stuff I'm carrying. It seems I am already nose-to-nose with my attachment to 'stuff' and the very real impact of that.
Time to go explore . . . more later.
When I emerged from the airport, as I was told to predict, there was a fenced area beyond which throng of people crowded. The promised, easily-identifiable, shuttle drivers were not so easy to spot, and definitely not within the fenced boundaries. I managed, however, to safely secure myself a shuttle, and after waiting for the driver to find two more souls (they won't leave without at least 3 people), we were on our way to Antigua about 45 minutes later.
The drive from Guatemala City to Antigua was fascinating. The scenery is the constant paradox: lush, verdant green, garbage in the street, shanties, brand- new paved roads, luxury cars, black-smoke puffing chicken buses. Children, dogs and vendors everywhere. The colours of the people and the landscape are amazing - and in stark contrast to the almost gray of some of the buildings.
The other two travelers in the shuttle were also English-speakers, but and far more experienced travelers and both reasonably conversant in Spanish. I got my first immersion experience, with some occasional translation, and some coaching to try some myself. I was pleased at how much I was able to follow - even if I can't yet speak a word.
As we approached Antigua, the driver provided a bit of a tour as he drove through the cobbled streets dropping each of us off. I was last, which was great - because it gave me the most thorough tour and a chance to scope out some places to see and some alternate places to stay. He pointed out a great place for 'authentic' local food, which I was able to find back later that evening for dinner - and WOW was it good.
My hotel the first night was nondescript. My room had a window into the hallway, but not to the outside - so it felt a little like a prison cell, but the bed was reasonably comfortable and there were extra blankets. Thank goodness, because the evenings are surprisingly cool.
Despite my exhaustion, I managed a little wander through town to go find dinner, visited the most amazing crafts market, and checked out a Spanish school. I was impressed by the school, and the lady I talked to. I think I tripped over a good one. However, despite her strong encouragement for me to return this morning, I didn't. I really want to start learning the language - I feel so disrespectful by not speaking it - but I'm hesitant to make any commitments yet. I'm still not sure how long I want to stay in Antigua, and how soon I want to head for Lago Atitlan. I've already switched to the hotel next door (much nicer), but I know I can only stay here for one night, so I'll be shifting again tomorrow. I'm just not sure where.
And I have already discovered how painfully I over-packed. Changing locations is just not easy or appealing with the amount of stuff I'm carrying. It seems I am already nose-to-nose with my attachment to 'stuff' and the very real impact of that.
Time to go explore . . . more later.
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