... the day before Guatemala celebrates its independence from Spain. For once, being British, I didn't have to keep a low profile.
It's an active volcanic region. Not sure what the Spanish for "run for the hills" is. Probably "run away from the hills" would be better anyway.
After four buses, two boats, then two tuk-tuks, I arrived at San Marcos on Lake Atitlan. It's only 80km but it took most of the day. I'm getting used to that. Funny how I sulk in London if I have to get two buses to meet anyone.
It's a coffee and cocoa growing region which American/European new age types claim has special energy. You can do various courses there e.g. "using chocolate for spiritual purposes... as the ancient sacred teacher it is". We're not talking Dairy Milk here - this is the really expensive, bitter stuff people only pretend they like.
Took a couple of buses into the western highlands, to Quetzaltenango (Xela). They love a nice parade here. Didn't really get to the bottom of what this one was for. Great fun though.
Went for a hike to a sacred Mayan lake in a volcanic crater. At one point I was accompanied by twenty kids laughing and shouting, blond hair and blue eyes being something of a rarity around here. Would have made a great photo but the guidebook advises against taking pictures of indigenous kids following some unfortunate misunderstandings. Not wanting to end up on the business end of a machete, you'll have use your imagination.
Friday is market day in the small village of San Francisco el Alto, just outside of Xela.
Not sure what's food and what are pets in this one. Perhaps safest to eat everything.
And finally for now the obligatory photo showing why the chicken bus gets its name.
This is actually two chickens tied together at the feet. Moments later, as the bus went over a big hump, they made a bid for freedom. Pandemonium! Alas, they didn't get very far. Poor teamwork.
