leaving guatemala
Once again, I’m leaving. A few parting images of Guatemala.
Also tagged leavingOnce again, I’m leaving. A few parting images of Guatemala.
Also tagged leavingMaya Pedal is an organisation in a small, unremarkable town, near Antigua, in Guatemala which does up old bicycles, donated by richer countries, and sells them a relatively affordable prices to locals. The organisation also designs and builds innovative pedal powered machines that perform all manner of useful functions from grinding corn to making smoothies. […]
Also tagged bike, friendsThere is a whole universe contained in the interior of a chicken bus.
Also tagged off cycleTajmulco at 4220 metres is the highest peak in Central America and Silke and I tackle it on an overnight jaunt. We set out from Xela on the chicken bus (more on that later) and start up the mountain. We camp close to the top of the mountain in the company of a few other […]
Also tagged mountains, off cycle, volcanoXela quickly starts to feel like home. I am lucky enough to score a room in Posada San Andres, a ramshackle set of buildings that surround a sunny cobbled courtyard inhabited by an eclectic bunch of expats doing their thing in Xela. The place is cheap and chilled out. I while away some days attending […]
Also tagged border crossings, city lifeOne of the reasons for coming to Xela is its proximity to two of Guatemala’s highest mountains. Santa Maria looms over the town at 3771 metres and Tajumulco, Central America’s highest peak at 4220 metres, is not far away. I am keen to climb both of them. After stocking up on some warm cloths at […]
Also tagged mountains, off cycle, volcanoXela is Guatemala’s second largest city and it has a significant population of foreigners – the majority of whom are studying Spanish and/or working at a host of NGOs on various social projects. Despite my rather unfortunate introduction to the city I quickly warm to Xela – there is a good second hand bookshop with […]
Also tagged city lifeWe arrive in Xela early enough in the day to have ample time to find somewhere to stay and then address myself to the task of finding a good restaurant where I can celebrate my birthday in style. After an extremely satisfactory birthday dinner, Silke and I start to walk towards the guesthouse where we […]
Also tagged city life, injury, mountainsAs soon as my bike is back together, I set off from Panajachel towards Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second biggest city – more commonly known as Xela, its name in the local indigenous language. Nancy and Matthew have given me information about a dirt road that goes over the mountains to Totonicapan and as the alternative route […]
Also tagged mountainsOverall, I don’t pay Panajachel much heed.
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