Well its my last night in Guatemala. Its all rather sad as I have really enjoyed visiting this country. Who’d have thought that a country which most people I spoke to had no idea where it was, being as interesting as it has been. Actually I thought that.
Today was my first bit of frustration I guess. I asked for the bill for my room last night at Isla verde so I could work out the money. I added what I thought was an appropriate tip (effectively rounded up to the nearest hundred Quetzales) only to find i was short on the 10% suggested tip which I was actually made to pay so it was more than a suggested tip. The thing was the local people said it was for them because they don’t get paid much which goes down this absurd system the Americans have by using tips to supplement underpaid workers rather than as a reward for good service. The fact my bed sheets were not washed any day and it was made once in 3 nights meant I felt they didn’t deserve a tip at all. I just hope foreigners don’t start exploiting locals in countries like Guatemala forcing them to rely on tips.
Wharf at Isla Verde
Back to happy thoughts now. I’ve just scratched the surface of Guatemala, so many other places I missed to avoid falling into the tour syndrome of travel one day sight see the next. Thats just not fun in my books and I’ve enjoyed the more relaxed pace of staying in a place for a few days.
I’m definitely planning to stay in Grenada next week for a few days and then probably on the island of Ometepe for a few days until the ferry to Costa Rica departs.
I actually have more time available now because I flew to Tikal and am flying to Nicaragua. Made up probably 4 days of travelling time. I’m also skipping El Salvador, which my brother warns me has 10 murders a day in the capital. I’m sure there are worse places to go to but well I’m happy to miss it and Honduras and skip straight to Nicaragua.
I made a comment today that it was the first time i’d seen a dog walk in Guatemala. Seriously this place is the land of sleeping dogs. Every dog you see is asleep in the shade. But today I saw one walking around and I can’t think of that happening in the last two weeks. I’m sure you are all going geez next topic please something interesting. But the reality of travel is you have time to notice these things, its not the hectic daily schedule we may have where we don’t have time to smell the roses or see if the dogs are awake!
Thanks for the messages from people, i’ve hopefully replied to everyone who has had a baby or got pregnant in the last 2 weeks and I know theres a few others coming up, so I’ll do my best to respond.
So I’ll see you all from Nica. Hope the weekend goes well for you all and to get your crissie shopping done early. I’ve noticed everything is on par with the cricket. Last time I travelled we lost the Ashes, and i copped it in South Africa thats for sure.
Lago de Atitlan