This peace of article is put into writing while sitting in an old minivan en route to Rio Dulce, hence it might come across as sensible one. And I guess thats exactly how I feel right now, so should use thiose weak hours of traveling and pull the best out of it. All for the sake of giving you the real taste of Guatemalas shady side.
when sun comes out
Lanquin has exactly three traveling agencies, or sheds selling bus tickets, same price, guess even same minivan.
-If three personas buy tickets to Rio Dulce, would you do a discount?
-No, 140Q por person. Muy complicado carretera!
Daah its like twice shorter then Antigua to Lanquin and still more expensive! hesitating and tapping fingers on a table I open my walet to pay. The fact is, this man is not up for negotiations and I have no choice… I’ll sleep it off, will feel better tomorrow.
Next morning woken up by rain, I quickly pack my bags and get ready for another 6hour journey in a minivan. Except this time journey will be a bit different, 80% of the distance is dirt road, stones, flinstone road turning stomach upside down, call it as you wish.
Guatemalas scenery is breathtaking, with fifty shades of green everywhere, beautiful mountains, azule rivers. But after crossing the whole country by bus it makes me question, is there flat surface anywhere? More importantly, is there an existing government? All I could see are posters of a man cheering up for equality, they were even put on an abandoned mountain cabins.
Shop? No. Bank natural:)
I was told that here, is either rich or poor class, and 98% would be the second option. Sad reality.
Driving in the mountains for 3hours gave me an oportunity to see the sad side of pictureless countrys story.
Sheds standing in the middle of nowhere, women sitting on a road with newborns, poverty. And many rusty government boards saying ‘this profect cost us 3million Q’, next to it you have few bamboo ‘houses’ with no electricity and five hungry kids with ripped tshirts. Well spent money.
The whole scenery in the mountains looks like everyones forgotten land. God haven’t I hope, little empty churches exist in every two house village.
Checked GPS on my iphone, current location marked as nowhere, which is kind of true. The way in and out of the village is not even marked in a map.
Where are we again?
Half way though the journey we get stopped by local people asking to pay 10Q each if we want to get through as they voluntarily stanting there. Agham, Mr with thumbs up, arent you suppose to sort this out? No hard feelings mate, keep swimming in your fancy pool.
Im not sure if this will help you at all with whatever traveling plans you have in mind but you know how many times I have people asking about real Mexico, India, Cambodia etc experience. There is no such if you choose to do guided tours. However, a road between Lanquin and Rio Dulce gives a little taste of Guatemalas reality. Unfortunatelly, it’s a dash of bitterness.
After 6hour drive reached Rio Dulce
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