San Pedro
I´ve spent the last 2 weeks in San Pedro de Atitlan, a town of 10 00 people on the edge od Lago Atitlan in Guetamala. Someone asked me a few days ago what it was like here and I could barely find the words to describe the feel of this place at that moment, but after a bit of thinking, and a few beers, I hope that I can now relate this place to yous all!
Imagine a town surrounded by 3 volcanos, one of them still active, sitting by a clear blue lake. Each night bathing in some of the most beautiful sunsets. But imagine that same lake, suffering from a bad case of pollution, switching its deep blue for a dirty brown, and according to the news, endangered and slowly dying.
Imagine a town that feels old and rugged, nothing fancy, roads paved with rocks, steep hills, wood smoke after 5 from the massive tortilla cooking that goes on everyday. It´s inhabitants, mostly of mayan origin, still sporting traditional multicolored wears, busy sellimng at the market, or attending one of the numerous shops that line the streets.
Imagine a constent cacophony of noises, from the never ending barking dogs, to honking tuc-tucs, from churches calling in the faithfulls at any time of day or night, not bothering with the fact that people sleep at 3 in the morning, and decide to start the bells, accompanied with blaring religious music. Top that of with religious rituals thatb include opping thunderous rockets at any time of day or night, supposevely clensing the place from evil spirits.
Imagine a long established community of gringos, made up of of long time travelers, hippies, and expats, operating small bohemish bars and hotels, including La Piscina, operated by Daniel, where the Saturday bacci tournemnat and the famous Sunday BBQ attract every single white person in the place.
Imagine that same gringo community where drugs are common and freely displayed, where alcool flows and music blairs, conflicting with the deep religious moralty of the locals
Imagine groups of vigilentes, going from bar to bar, armed with rocks and pepper spray, trying to shut down the stablsihments runned by the white devils. Running after people, confiscating cameras.
Imagine sipping beers in a pub and suddenly being lined against a wall, searched by police officers armed with shotguns and submachineguns, looking for drugs.
well that was life for the last 2 weeks
Please take tine to ceck out the pics at www.transamericatrek.org
cheers
Imagine a town surrounded by 3 volcanos, one of them still active, sitting by a clear blue lake. Each night bathing in some of the most beautiful sunsets. But imagine that same lake, suffering from a bad case of pollution, switching its deep blue for a dirty brown, and according to the news, endangered and slowly dying.
Imagine a town that feels old and rugged, nothing fancy, roads paved with rocks, steep hills, wood smoke after 5 from the massive tortilla cooking that goes on everyday. It´s inhabitants, mostly of mayan origin, still sporting traditional multicolored wears, busy sellimng at the market, or attending one of the numerous shops that line the streets.
Imagine a constent cacophony of noises, from the never ending barking dogs, to honking tuc-tucs, from churches calling in the faithfulls at any time of day or night, not bothering with the fact that people sleep at 3 in the morning, and decide to start the bells, accompanied with blaring religious music. Top that of with religious rituals thatb include opping thunderous rockets at any time of day or night, supposevely clensing the place from evil spirits.
Imagine a long established community of gringos, made up of of long time travelers, hippies, and expats, operating small bohemish bars and hotels, including La Piscina, operated by Daniel, where the Saturday bacci tournemnat and the famous Sunday BBQ attract every single white person in the place.
Imagine that same gringo community where drugs are common and freely displayed, where alcool flows and music blairs, conflicting with the deep religious moralty of the locals
Imagine groups of vigilentes, going from bar to bar, armed with rocks and pepper spray, trying to shut down the stablsihments runned by the white devils. Running after people, confiscating cameras.
Imagine sipping beers in a pub and suddenly being lined against a wall, searched by police officers armed with shotguns and submachineguns, looking for drugs.
well that was life for the last 2 weeks
Please take tine to ceck out the pics at www.transamericatrek.org
cheers
posted by transamericatrek at
12:22 PM
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