Guatemala here I come – Day 2
Posted by | Evil Kristos | January 19, 2009 | 1 Comment
I skipped breakfast and only had a coffee. Even with me arriving early I actually had to rush in order to be there in time. Of course it was all for nothing. The flight was scheduled for 12.15 and nothing had changed. Boarding started – as one would expect – at a quarter to 12 so I spent a solid hour sitting there and cursing the guy who had told me otherwise. I could have been sitting in the sun enjoying an all American breakfast instead I was sitting at gate E31 watching the clock tick.
Well, at least I had an emergency exit seat and if it wasn’t for fat guy next to me I would have enjoyed the flight. It was a pretty bumpy flight and when the plane at some stage during landing dropped a few meters it would normally have scared me. With Guatemala in sight I was calm as a rock and enjoyed screams and panic attacks of my fellow passengers. I’m getting really good at this flying business.
Guatemala greated us with some sunshine and it was reasonably warm. Coming from Ireland it was OK but still I was slightly disappointed. I expected to be sweating like a pig the very moment I set foot on Guatemalan soil but I actually kept my jumper on. The guy at the hotel later told me that the weather is affected by the cold fronts up north in the US. Apparently they push some cold and clouds down south. I’m not sure about that but blaming the Americans has always been fun.
Guatemala city is a total dump but I actually like it. There is little to see, it smells rotten, is noisy and filthy but in a way cool. The hotel where I stayed was just awesome. 25 bucks may not be cheap but it certainly does worth the money.
Cathedral in Guatemala City
Finding an ATM turned out to be a challenge; well at least a working one that would accept my Laser. I kinda feel uncomfortable when I have no money in my pocket. At some stage I also got thirsty and I could wait for my first proper beer in Guatemala. Unforunately in even here it does cost money so I got more and more desparate to find some stupid ATM. Well at least I was successful at the end but I pretty much wasted the afternoon.
Since even the city centre was dodgy I didn’t fancy the idea walking around with a camera bag after nightfall. With the afternoon wasted on searching for an ATM I had nothing else to do than going back to the hotel, having a few beers and then hitting town again. There is nothing to report since the even the town centre was dead after dark. It’s crazy; Saturday night and nothing is going on.
I needed some rest so I didn’t complain too much. A quiet night once in a while is probably good for me. I also had some writing to do so what the heck.
What I noticed on that occasion was, that beside my notes I had also left my Spanish dictionary on my desk. What a genius I am. Now I am truly f*cked. I speak no Spanish whatsoever as in none. I can’t even read the menu. I will have so much fun on this trip ordering stuff I can’t wait.
There is one other thing. What really got me about the capital was that it seems to be perfectly normal to just piss on the street. And I am not talking about secretly in a corner. I saw a bus driver pissing against the front of his bus in broad daylight. I couldn’t believe it but judging by the smell in the streets this was no exception. May be I am too old fashioned but I thought it was rather bizarre.
What else happened? Not much really. I went for a coffee with the hotel manager and we chatted a little bit. I gave me some directions for my further travels. I’m quite thankful for that. So far I have absolutely no clue what I am doing. Of course this was the plan from the very beginning and I always travel that way. In so far everything went according to plan. I don’t understand a word people are saying, I am more or less lost and I am enjoying myself. Keep it coming Guatemala.
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January 19th, 2009 @ 13:53
Terrible – and a spanish dictionary must cost all of, what – $5 max? Certainly less than a beer in Dublin, and you have no problems paying for that!!!
You tight old hippy!