Unforgettable Guatemala

My overwhelming impression of Guatemala is of a warm and welcoming people, in a diverse landscape of jungle, temples, volcanoes, lakes, small, colourful towns and warm Pacific waters. There was so much to see and do.

“Guatemala” in the native Nahuatl language means “Place of Many Trees”.

We were soon to find out that this luscious green country lived up to its name.

Horses and Toasted Marshmallows

There were some personal challenges along the way, one being ‘walking’ up the Pacaya Volcano and, although I opted to go on horseback, actually getting onto the helpful steed was a bit nerve-racking in itself. The local guide had to take matters into his own hands and unceremoniously hitch me up, while I managed to hold on for dear life. 

Howler Monkeys

One particular highlight for me in the jungle, apart from the deafening calls of the howler monkeys (particularly terrifying at night), was the spotting of a flock of resting toucan.

What a sight but what a noise!

Moments earlier I had told my companions that I really I wanted to see toucans, so everyone took great delight in my wish being granted.

 Easter celebrations of ‘Semana Santa’ in Antigua!

In Antigua, the Easter Celebrations (Semana Santa) had a wonderful carnival atmosphere as the people prepared their colourful, sawdust ‘carpets’.

Local residents spend hours preparing intricate patterns using sawdust dyed in many different shades of deep colour.

Sawdust is carefully arranged on the ground to form a ‘carpet’ over which the Easter processions  trample!

All that work, sacrifice and dedication for an interesting tradition which has been performed in Antigua for years, to pay homage to the all important Easter processions of the city.

The Mayan Pyramids in Tikal National Park

The temple was built in AD 741, over a thousand years ago.

Were we comfortable?

Real people

We were very fortunate to travel under the wing of a Guatemalan guide, who arranged for us to have as authentic an experience in her country as possible.

Our lovely guide organised a typical Guatemalan meal in a real home, with real people!

Carmen, our host, is showing us how to make tortillas in her humble kitchen. We discovered it isn’t as easy as it looks when we tried.  In this unspoiled  country, it was a true honour and privilege to be invited into her home.

We enjoyed some typical Guatemalan meal at her table, with her family, right there in that tiny kitchen. She was so proud of having us as her guests!

When does that ever happen when you’re travelling?

More real people

Finally we had a chance to visit a Women’s Weaving Cooperative’
a Guatemalan cooperative run by women, for women, set up in order to help some women become economically independent.

We were taken back centuries as the ladies demonstrated medieval weaving and dyeing techniques. We were able to have a try weaving at their looms, which caused great hilarity all round, of course.

This was the pretty shawl I purchased for very few ‘quetzals’, the local currency.

I know I’ll need it soon ready for winter back home!

Some more magical scenes that made Guatemala unforgettable:

A wonderful country, a wonderful people full of fun, hospitality and good will.

This was truly an experience I could never forget.

I hope to return their some day. If not, I still have hundreds more photographs, to help me re-live those magical moments again.