Wow! What a bus ride-6.5 hours. We are camped with our luggage at the Rainbow Room for a nice lunch. Darren has gone to get tickets for the next leg to the famed Lake Atitlan, which is 2.5 hrs away.
We had a hodge podge of foreigners on our minibus. Most got off south of Guatemala City to connect to Tikal and areas east, which left a lot more room.
We had a very enlightening bus ride with some Americans from Seattle who put us in the know about Central American travel. Seems we were worried about nothing. Most of her explanations were entertaining. They were hard core travelers who had done most of Central and South America. Here is what she had to say about the scary news reports we saw before leaving home:
Bus robberies in the Peten Region(Flores and Tikal): after the war, the local militia didn't get paid and the government doesn't put a lot of effort into maintaining peace there. So these ex-soldiers periodically stop buses for an unofficial toll. Pay the bribe and be on your way.
Brigands blocking roads: protests against some government ruling, the locals simply get off the bus at the road block and are allowed to walk through it to the next bus on the other side. The brigands are only interested in impeding government and businesses.
The drug cartels are pretty established and the locals don't care as long as they are not violent and don't bring drug addictions into the community. The drug violence in Mexico is mostly between fighting cartels.
She did warn that Managua is bad news, but the rest of Nicaragua is great.
Very informative conversation. We suspected, but they verified that Copan was a tourist trap with most things being overpriced. She described a lagoon excursion where you used to be able to go out all day with lunch included for $1.50. As wealthy tourists went out with the guides and tipped them $5, the fare is now $7.
They got off in Guatemala City to continue to the border as their three month visa for the region was expiring (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador).
We had a very enlightening bus ride with some Americans from Seattle who put us in the know about Central American travel. Seems we were worried about nothing. Most of her explanations were entertaining. They were hard core travelers who had done most of Central and South America. Here is what she had to say about the scary news reports we saw before leaving home:
Bus robberies in the Peten Region(Flores and Tikal): after the war, the local militia didn't get paid and the government doesn't put a lot of effort into maintaining peace there. So these ex-soldiers periodically stop buses for an unofficial toll. Pay the bribe and be on your way.
Brigands blocking roads: protests against some government ruling, the locals simply get off the bus at the road block and are allowed to walk through it to the next bus on the other side. The brigands are only interested in impeding government and businesses.
The drug cartels are pretty established and the locals don't care as long as they are not violent and don't bring drug addictions into the community. The drug violence in Mexico is mostly between fighting cartels.
She did warn that Managua is bad news, but the rest of Nicaragua is great.
Very informative conversation. We suspected, but they verified that Copan was a tourist trap with most things being overpriced. She described a lagoon excursion where you used to be able to go out all day with lunch included for $1.50. As wealthy tourists went out with the guides and tipped them $5, the fare is now $7.
They got off in Guatemala City to continue to the border as their three month visa for the region was expiring (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador).
One item I must relate: saw some goats in the middle of Guatemala City on the way in. Apparently they are the latest in fast food here. You can get goat milk on the spot on the sidewalk. A new niche in the market. You never know, it could take off in America.
We got lunch at the rainbow cafe. Darren was very frustrated trying to change our remaining dollars to Guatemalan for possible shopping tomorrow. The bank demands a lot of info- like what address are you staying at? As we were in transit we didn't know where we were staying.
We got to Panajachel just as the sun was setting. The view of the volcanoes as the sun set was marred somewhat by our co-passenger who was sick out the window. There were only 4 of us on the shuttle from Antigua. The other couple was students from Iowa and Minnesota. Poor girl was sick all the way. We discussed health care policy with the med student.
We did a quick turn around the main street lined with tourist shops and restaurants. Darren only took one photo today – amazing - at the border crossing.
It's been a long day. I almost felt like puking with the poor girl today.
Our hotel in Panajachel is the best so far and at $12 per night a bargain. They didn't have a double bed, so we got the widish twins with private bath. It's in a quiet alley near the church. The owner is friendly and speaks a little English. He told us where to pick up the local bus to Chichicastenango.It's been a long day. I almost felt like puking with the poor girl today.
After 13 hrs in transit, I don't want to sit on another bus for a very long time. But being a glutton for punishment, I've convinced Darren that we should brave the chicken bus tomorrow on our day trip to the Chichicastenango market 2.5 hrs away. I know, stupid right? I would like to give a chicken bus a go at least once and this may be our last chance. Due to the long distances needed to travel in a short time, we’ve opted for the speedier tourist shuttles.
This market is well known to be colorful with lots of souvenirs and possibly pickpockets if the State Department is to be believed. We will leave everything behind but the cameras.
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