The upside of staying at La Casa de los Abuelos is that it is cheap, safe and has great internet access. The downside is that water is intermittent which means showers are not something you can plan on. I am on the downside now waiting for water -- but at least I have some upside: internet access.
This is my second full day in Guatemala. I arrived on Wednesday at about 11:00 in the morning Guatemala time (Guatemala is two hours behind EST). The fabulous new airport knocked me off my feet: literally. My shoe hit a slippery spot and the next thing I knew my left knee was bent behind me and I was flat on my back. Ouch! Gratefully, the embarrassment was worse than the fall though I do have a very tender spot on my knee.
I went through immigration without a hitch and found my bags quickly then found a spot to wait. Edwin and his assistant, Gail, were coming in on a Delta flight about 11:45 and they were giving me a ride. I tried not to look too suspicious just hanging out at baggage claim.
I arrived in Antigua about 4:00 and checked in then set out to find something to eat. Airlines don't feed passengers anymore but do offer 60 cent bags of chips for $2.25. I had snacked on chewy bars and toasty crackers that I brought but since it was actually after 6:00 my time, I was ready for a real meal. My hotel is one-half block off the Parque Central. Cafe de la Condessa is on the square and is a favorite place to eat for me. My first meal in Guatemala was Huevos Guatemaltecos! Eggs scrambled with onion and tomato and served with refried black beans. Good eating!!
Not only had I not eaten in many hours when I arrived in Guatemala, I had been up since Tuesday morning. I cannot go to sleep the night before I fly -- I am afraid that I will oversleep and miss my plane. Besides, I am always too excited. I finally went to bed about midnight (Guate time). Of course yesterday morning was another wait for water. When I finally gave up and started getting ready to go out, the water came on. Maybe I should try that now ;-)
My first stop yesterday was Pollo Campero -- we call it the Guatemalan Bojangles. Actually, I call Bojangles the American Pollo Campero. As I sat in the booth, I was struck with how surreal it seemed to be back in Guatemala. Sometimes I feel like I have two separate identities but I don't really fit completely into either. When I am in one place the other is like Narnia -- far away in the mists of my mind. At least I have the internet and cell phone to keep both as close as possible wherever I am. My new best friend (very lightly speaking of course) remains my Blackberry. I still have unlimited internet access on it (no phone calls or text messages though). I love my Verizon Blackberry (do I get brownie points for plugging my provider?).
After lunch and a stop at one of the artisan markets, I headed for the site of cathedral on the outskirts of town. It is several blocks away but I think nothing of heading out by foot when I am in Guatemala. In Apex, I live one mile from the Walmart but have never considered walking to it. Transportation by foot is a way of life in Guatemala. I guess that's why there are so many shoe stores. It's like getting new tires but much cheaper.
Just took a break to check on the water -- it's starting to come in I think. I'm going to get ready to jump into the shower as soon as there is water. There are so many more sites to see in Antigua and I am just sitting in a hotel room!!
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