My first week in Guatemala seems like it was spent on the road. Between Thursday when I arrived and Wednesday (the 2nd), I made four trips on the Pan American Highway between Guatemala City and Huehue -- three of them on the bus.
When you mention "the bus" to people who know Guatemala, they usually think "chicken bus." The chicken buses are old American school buses which have been retired by school systems across our country as no longer reliable/acceptable, or whatever the reason. These buses are purchased in the US and driven to Guatemala where they are resurrected into bus glory. They are brightly painted and encased in chrome which generally shines. The owner adds his own mark by writing something on the windshield such as "Dios es mi pastor," The Lord is my shepherd. Whether it is actually true or not is beside the point, though it is usually the sentiment of the driver/owner and it is meant help protect the bus. The amount of miles and wear put onto these buses prove that they are are not really unreliable. They are driven daily around mountain roads that twist and turn, through potholes that would destroy a car and loaded inside and outside with people, animals and many baskets of goods.
Chicken buses are the main mode of transportation for the average person in Guatemala particularly on market days. They are cheap to ride and easy to find. These buses which are meant to hold 40 American school children usually have 80+ riders -- and the person beside you might be holding chickens -- thus the name. Of course, "cheap" is a relative term and to someone who makes an average of $300USD per month, even 25 to 45 cents is a hardship.
I have ridden chicken buses (that's a story for another day) but when I go between Huehue and Guatemala City, I go first class: Los Halcones -- the Falcons. I pay Q85 or about $11.50 for the trip which takes about 5-1/2 to 6 hours. To me, that is cheap but to the average Guatemalan it is prohibitive. Unlike the chicken buses, Los Halcones makes only one stop -- at the Rapi Comida Santa Rita -- for the driver to eat and rest. They have cleanish bathrooms and decent food -- best moshe I've had in a very long time. (Moshe is Guatemalan oatmeal.) Where the chicken buses stop for any possible passenger, Los Halcones only takes passengers from their depots. The buses are basically comfortable and usually provide music or a movie for entertainment. Los Halcones has a very good track record for safety and security.
My first bus ride was to Huehue on the day I flew into Guatemala on Thursday, the 26th. Friday I slept. I took a four hour nap and went to bed at 9:00 (though that is 11:00 NC time). Saturday I traveled by van to Guatemala City with five of the Kalamazoo group who were flying home on Sunday. Sunday night, two young men arrived to join the remaining team members in Huehue. We rode the 7:00 a.m. bus on Monday arriving in Huehue just in time for a lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.
Late Monday afternoon we had an outing. Generally we go to a hot springs in Aguas Calientes just outside the state line of Huehuetenango. This time we went to another hot spring about an hour ride by four wheel truck from the city. We parked the trucks and hiked steep trails finally reaching a cow pasture (being careful where we stepped because most of us were wearing flip flops) and just beyond that a small spring house. The water is very warm and feels very good to achy bones and muscles. I had been to that location about eight years ago with Lindsey and a small group from several locations. Of course we had to hike back to the trucks but the warm water was rejuvenating especially for the group who have an average age of about 21 -- if you exempt Edwin and me. I think we were the only ones over the age of 40.
Tuesday, I had the chance to walk to the market in Huehue. I was looking for an umbrella. That's a bad thing to forget when traveling in the rainy season. My search was successful and I reaped the reward my first night in Antigua (Wednesday night) when I was caught in a total downpour and had to walk several block to my hotel. I was soaked to the bone and had to wring out my shirt and pants. I think my shoes have just dried out.
That's enough for now -- I am eager to get back to exploring Antigua which will be my next report -- Lord willing of course.
Blessings to you all!!
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