We decided to trail off the tourist mochillero path and came to Salama, a small town northeast of Guatemala city. We took a two hour curvy, wild, nausea provoking bus ride (nothing out of the usual for Guatemalan bus treks thus far) through the Guatemalan highlands. The landscape changed from lush green subtropical rolling mountains, to a warmer climate with dry air and a desert brown/jade sierra. Besides two pairs of mormons, Dom and I were the only gringos, and possibly the tallest people in town. Los chapines (slang for Guatemalans) are very kind and humble people. They seem to be just as curious of us as we are as them. This busy little town does not skip a beat with its motos zooming in and around the parque central, the truckloads of cattle and horses taking up the entire road, the Mayan women carrying baskets full of tortillas on their heads (with their children slung over their backs taking an afternoon siesta), the speakers blasting reggaeton and bachata music at the local fast-food fried chicken joint, and the endless fruit and churrasco stands. Sitting in the park and watching the small town busy at work was enough entertainment for us! We found a nice coffee shop and drank some of the best espresso we have found yet on our journey!
Tomorrow we head to Rio Dulce where we will be volunteering at the orphanage Casa Guatemala. It has been great to get a feel for Guatemala, the culture and people alike for the past few weeks before we settle down and do what we came here to do... GIVE A HELPING HAND!
Wish us luck!!
Yasmin
Enjoying fresh squeezed orange juice and fried chicken in Caye Caulker, Belize
Tuk Tuk in Flores, Guatemala
Atardecer Lago Peten Itza, Guatemala
Tikal Mayan Ruin
The sacred Ceiba tree of the Mayans
Semuc Champey. A limestone shelf with pristine turquoise waterfalls and swimming holes fed by water run off from the jungle on either side. A fresh water river Rio Cohabon runs under it.
Semuc Champey. Where we spent Dom's 25th Birthday!
Yasmin's Paradise
Caldo de Gallina
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