Hondorus to Guatemala

textiles in marketplace

Quatemala City

Our OAT van in front of cathedral
Luggage on top

Sorry for the late posts, but the internet keepd kicking me off!!  Will post what we did today in a couple of days when we get to a better accommodation.  We are 5000 ft. in the mountains and having a great time!!

Day 4 Overland to Guatemala City/Paleontology Museum

Following breakfast this morning, we traveled to Guatemala, passing through flatlands dotted with coffee plantations and dairy farms. We stopped at another archeological site,where we walked in the rain and found chards of old pottery and obsidian.  We then stopped to see the black Christ—not the original, but a replica when we arrived in Guatemala City in the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral, a massive neoclassical structure first constructed between 1782 and 1815, located in the heart of the city  We then went to our hote -- : Hotel Stofella,  Tonight Bob went without me to the meal, as I had Montezuma’s revenge.  I spent the whole night talking to the porcelain, but after Cipro and Immodium, I was ready for a colonoscopy come morning.

Day 5 Explore Guatemala City/Transfer to Lake Atitlán

I am feeling much better today, but not entirely solvent. We explored Guatemala City with a panoramic drive through this diverse city, enjoying views of its stately Civic Center, the blood-red Baroque façade of the Iglesia Yurrita, and the bustle of Reforma Avenue..When we stopped at a flower market, Bob bought me flowers (60 cents) and made all the other guys look bad!!

We drove for about 3 hours and reached an elevation of almost 8,000 ft, where we stopped for lunch.  Then we went to the colorful market of Sololá. Here, where tourists rarely visit, our small group mingled with the Maya people and observe how history is woven into the patterns of their clothing

We stopped at the local pharmacia where everyone could load up on Cipro.  10 cipro for $6.   At 4:00 we arrived at our lodge Porta Hotel del Lago in Panajachel, located by the northern shores of Lake Atitlán in the western highlands of Guatemala. The elevation here is only 5,000 ft.  The hotel is beautiful and we have a deck overlooking the lake.  We are to walk to our restaurant tonight,  but with all the rain today, our bus driver may have to drive us.  We are hoping it will clear tomorrow for our boat ride.