Archive | Guatemala RSS feed for this section
The Gringo Tax

The Gringo Tax

By on February 21, 2008 in Guatemala

One of the most frustrating parts of traveling in Guatemala is never really knowing the true price of a service – a bus ride – or anything for that matter – a hotel room, a banana, or a shirt. It’s a little something we like to call a “gringo tax” since there is usually one low price for locals and… Read more

February 21, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 3 }
Welcome to the Jungle

Welcome to the Jungle

By on February 18, 2008 in Guatemala

After much deliberation, we decided our next stop after Tikal was Rio Dulce. We made our way in the morning to the place in Flores where the guidebook says is a bus stop, but in actuality it is just a travel agency that buys a ticket for you for the bus station in Santa Elena.
The only reason we decided… Read more

February 18, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 4 }
From Palenque to Tikal – Muchas Ruinas

From Palenque to Tikal – Muchas Ruinas

By on February 13, 2008 in Guatemala, Mexico

It’s been a while since my last post since Brian and I have been on the move practically every other day. I believe we left off at Palenque, Mexico – the home of one of the best preserved (or reconstructed) ruins of such a grand size. We heard many stories from other travelers (we were guidebook-less for Mexico) on how… Read more

February 13, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 5 }
My favorite breakfast – tipico.

My favorite breakfast – tipico.

By on January 24, 2008 in Guatemala

My favorite Guatemalan dish is from the breakfast menu, but I often find myself ordering it for dinner as well. The first time I had it in Antigua, I wasn’t quite sure of what to do with it… Read more. They brought out eggs, some funny looking cheese, fried plantains, and bowl of black/brown pasty soup.
I looked to Brian in

January 24, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 0 }
Me and My Box

Me and My Box

By on January 23, 2008 in Guatemala

On the way to Xela, and while walking around Xela, I realized having our backpacks stuffed with all the wonderful things we bought in Chichicastenango was going to be a problem. After tightening my straps all the way on my pack, I was still having trouble getting it to fit correctly (I have definitely lost some weight here! Not to… Read more

January 23, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Hola, Quiere Pan?!

By on January 20, 2008 in Guatemala

In the last post, I made a reference to the “Quiere pan” lady in San Pedro. There are actually many, but one in particular is very persistent with her job of haggling any passerby to buy one of the pastries she carries in a basket on her head. It did not matter how many times you passed by and said… Read more

January 20, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 3 }

10 Realizations

By on January 16, 2008 in Guatemala

1) Chicken Buses aren’t for chickens.… Read more – Seriously, there are no chickens on these buses. If you can’t take whipping around mountain roads at high speeds, then these old-school American buses aren’t your best bet for getting around Guatemala. We had our first experience on our way to Chichicastenango last weekend, and honestly, I’m not excited about taking another this

January 16, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 0 }

Our abode.

By on January 11, 2008 in Guatemala, Language Learning

Just wanted to do a quick post on the place we are currently staying at in San Pedro. This is a video we did of the school´s dorm (I know our families would like to see where we are staying). We are taking Spanish with Casa Rosario… Read more, which is very cheap here in San Pedro. There are other cheaper

January 11, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 1 }

Spanish 101: Pop Quiz

By on January 9, 2008 in Guatemala, Language Learning

It’s hard to concentrate in class when:
a) You’re surrounded by beautiful gardens bathing in the sun
b) You’re able to hear the waves from the lake washing ashore
c) Your Spanish language teacher spends more time picking his nose than he does quizzing your grammar.
If you guessed C, you have the correct answer!… Read more
We started our Spanish lessons

January 9, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 13 }

I feel the earth… move… under my feet.

By on January 7, 2008 in Guatemala

“Hurry! Run to the doorway!” I tried to say, but there wasn’t time. I was already out of my chair in motion. My body was reacting before my mind could even process it. Brian, too, was reaching for his bag and on his feet. It was a complete fight or flight response. The lights flickered a few times, and when… Read more

January 7, 2008 · Read full story · Comments { 4 }