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Guatemala city....

Submitted by Doug on Thu, 2008/09/18 - 23:23.
0

yikes... not as bad a Mexico City, where I had the privilege of donating way more money than I am happy discus to a thieving piece of perambulating porcine.

We wised up and paid a cabbie to lead us out of the maze that is Guatemala City.

We decided to come into Guatemala on the CA-1 highway. We spent the night at the local Pemex, tipping the armed guard to keep a special eye on us. Another night sleeping in the van. We got an early start, but neglected to 'check out' with Mexico and I had to take a taxi 4 KM back to get stamped out. The boarder was easy, and they believed me that none of our cargo was staying in Guatemala and I didn't get hosed like Mexico . Once we crossed the boarder I was stunned with the most beautiful mountain area I have ever seen, crisp clean air....it was amazing. And we made new friends at a local road closing protest , a really great day, the kind that makes it worth all the hassle.

But road construction, the rain and fog made it abundantly clear that the choice to drive at night was a friggin mistake. Do not try this, I am by no means kidding insane truck drivers, land slides, mud covered sharp corners made it one of the most stressful nights of my life!

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You are getting here

Submitted by nicareal on Fri, 2008/09/19 - 04:53.

and are almost homefree!

Be careful and keep us updated.

I spent

Submitted by nicaus on Fri, 2008/09/19 - 00:19.

2 ½ months in Guatemala one night. The north does have some of the best scenery and loving people of all the Americas. Keep the info flowing!

Beautiful Place

Submitted by rholmes on Fri, 2008/09/19 - 05:09.

Been there a couple of times in the 90's, I think Guatemala could steal the affection I have for Nicaragua if it had better surf. Nicaragua's got nothing on Guatemala in the bad political history category. The coldest I think I have ever been was a night at a 'hotel' in Xela that did not have any sheets or blankets, I put on every piece of clothing I had, which was not a lot. I think the CA-1 goes close by there and Lake Atitlan(stay away from Panajechel, go to San Pedro-harder to get to, but much cooler), 2 places worth seeing you have the time. Antigua has the Granada feel. Great memories...thanks for firing them up.

"if you see someone who has lost their smile, give them one of yours"

I studied in Antigua

Submitted by nicaus on Fri, 2008/09/19 - 21:08.

I studied in Antigua for a few months before heading to Nicaragua. One of the coldest nights I ever spent was on vacation from school a group of us went to Lake Atitlan (gringotanego) in February. The place we stayed in had two beds made for 6 year olds so the three of us put them together to make one bed. Both beds were different so we had a hump either in the back or legs, well I digress. Yes Guatemala does have many beauties but Nicaragua hold my heart.