Last Day in Guatemala

Always check the gear... I have told myself This before but got lazy. Always check the gear and reputation of any tour company. Through a recommendation of another traveler, I signed up for an overnight trip up Volcano Acayenango in the hopes of viewing the eruptions and lava flow of nearby volcano Fuego. Unfortunately, the weather was foggy, rainy and hailing on top and we could only see the other volcano for 5 minutes before a fog bank moved in on the summit. This I could not blame the tour company. However, despite insurances of a decent tent and sleeping pad when the guide picked us up the next day, neither was to be found. Cold sandwiches, a tent that dipped and leaked inside when it rained, an inexperienced guide who shared our tent (and snored), no ground sheet or sleeping pad. An uncomfortable and wet night. The fuide didn't even brong up toilet paper and needed to use mine (that is essential gear for tourist, no vegetation up there as a paper substitute). Luckily, there was another proper outfit camped next to us and like a stray dog we hovered near their camp fire and was invited and shared in their warm food and company. Our guide even abandoned our camp site and hanged around their guides and porters.

I am in Antigua, Guatemala  for one last night before heading off to El Salvador at 3:30 am. Antigua is a beautiful colonial town surrounded by volcanoes. A really polished version of Guatemala and the cleanest, safest and easiest city to take in so far with plenty of tourist, language schools and cosmopolitan cuisine. Want Thai or crepes from St. Milo, it's here. For new comers to the country or those wanting a hassle free experience, this is a good place to start. It has also became a transport hub for traveler's to catch shuttles around and in and out of the country to avoid going into the capital city and the crime there.