It was quite a speedy visit to Guatemala this time. We are both itching to get to it in Costa Rica, or Nicaragua. We haven’t quite decided yet. I have visited Guatemala before, been to Tikal and Semuc Champey, so we decided to miss these two sites as they are far off the beaten track and way out of our way. We, instead stuck to the Pan American Highway and stayed in Quetzeltenango the second night. It is a typical Spanish colonial town, prone to downpours as it is quite high up. We enjoyed looking around and had a lovely AirB&B just outside the main town in quite a safe area by all accounts.
We called an Uber to get into town, £2.50! The driver, Roberto Oliva, is now my best friend. He was playing Metallica and we got into a great conversation about music and shared our details. He even gave us his number for when we were done promenading about town. So we called him and he returned to take us home. Dani is now quite the Spanish speaker, of course, and learnt loads from him about life there and where is safe and politics and stuff. Usually she hates talking to drivers, or anybody for that matter, but with her new found language skills she was quite willing this time.
Next we went on to Lake Atitlan. Formed in the crater of a volcano. It is a beautiful place. Amazing views, lovely people too. We stayed in an beautiful hotel, which came with a fantastic breakfast worthy of a four star, in San Lucas Toliman. They provided free kayaks so we went out on the water. What a beautiful place to sit and look back at volcanoes and locals doing their washing in the lake. All the people in Guatemala smile and wave at you. A very friendly nation indeed.
Then it was on to Antigua. I have been to all these places before but I was most keen for Daniela to experience Antigua. It is a slightly battered colonial town built in the 16th century by the Spanish conquistadors. Cobbled streets, quaint shops and colourful indigenous Indians dressed in beautiful woven cloth dresses denoting their tribes. I was a little surprised to see that Macdonalds, Starbucks and even Wendys had moved into town, but that’s progress I guess. I must say that the Starbucks here is the most beautiful I have ever seen.
And after a couple of lovely nights in Antigua we headed out for the border with El Salvador.
Now El Salvador has a little bit of a bad reputation and I don’t mind admitting that we were both a little apprehensive at the prospect of taking a car into what was recently known as the murder capital of the world. But, as usual, you shouldn’t pay too much attention to the propaganda you read on government websites. I mean to say that, in my experience, these countries don’t deserve such fear mongering in general. Yes, you have to have your wits about you, avoid obvious displays of wealth and take care in certain areas, but, on the whole, we have had no real fear when in any of these countries.
I will write a separate blog regarding the border crossing because that is a story in itself and maybe useful to any others doing the same thing. But for now I will leave it there, El Salvador is beautiful, the roads are well kept, it maybe a little more expensive than Guatemala but I love it already.
