The lancha does finally put that 20 minutes along the coast to Puerto Barrios. We must rise to this commercial port has a multinational, in the '60s, produced by 80% of world production of bananas. She had therefore developed the infrastructure necessary for such export volume. Since then, the port has been greatly developed because of its privileged geographical position to share with the old continent and Africa. But the city remains murky and soulless. You do not stay in Puerto Barrios. It passes. The streets are dusty and somewhat engaging. We put our bags in a quiet room'''' and have been buying our bus tickets at the bus station, opposite the market. We had seats 1 and 2: great, we'll be at the forefront in order to at least enjoy the scenery! In the streets around the market close, the apparent general disorganization was impressive. There was an air of cheerful''mess''(without any connotation of prostitution). Since there was nothing to do for tourists as we are, we returned to the room. Sylvia completed her book bought in Thailand (a true travel book!) While I was napping. A''quiet room''we said the keeper. It should be hard of hearing the gentleman. For in front of our room was a garage that retyping cars and hilly streets after, it was the trading port with its continual ballet of trucks carrying containers. There was also the guy who was repairing his car alarm and rang incessantly. Besides the roosters who competed vocal prowess. So much for the ears. For the rest of the body, there were ants and other chips to bed, who undertook to make me legs ... A real pet!
In the evening as the sun rolled to the horizon was hidden behind a mountain of containers of bananas, we returned near the market to eat. Traders bent shop. At least what they used to store, namely a plate, trestles and some plastic sheeting. We sat on a terrace to enjoy a lemonade. Looking at the life that was spread on the sidewalk. In contemplating these workers and workers who were returning home after a long day. But also to make a first assessment of the 2 weeks ending. Quietly. Inexorably. Around 21:00, we returned to our room along the container yard. The trucks had not yet ceased their ballet. Flashes their headlights traced in lourde poussière. Un vraie zone industrielle cette ville !
Le lendemain matin, nous avons rejoint la station de bus pour 7h00. Un superbe autobus à 2 étages se présenta. Au moins, notre retour commencerait dans le confort. En attendant le départ, nous avons pris un café en filmant la vie qui reprenait son cours. Après une courte nuit de répit.
Le trajet fut effectivement des plus confortables. Les 5 heures sont passées plutôt rapidement. La route était variée. Nous avons quitté la région dense et humide de la côte Est pour monter lentement sur l’altiplano, à plus de 1000 mètres d’altitude. Lentement, la végétation s’est éclaircie and the grass began to turn yellow and eventually disappear and give way to an arid land. Sometimes the road went in to make a lace collar and then back down into the valley below. I've always enjoyed watching the roads from all countries. The latter, in its transition from the wet to dry, not unlike the road from Cape Town (South Africa) to Windhoek (Namibia). We left edge of the Atlantic where there was a relatively lush vegetation, and then we walked along the fertile valley of Ceres (from which the juice of the same name) surrounded by snowy peaks. When we arrived early morning, we were on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, one of the driest in the world. A sort of''Road Trip''climate could say!
At Guatemala City, we immediately jumped into a taxi to the airport. Our flight took off in 3 hours but we wanted to avoid at all costs dense traffic jams at the end of the afternoon. After swallowing a sandwich at Subway''''we were taking off to Mexico where we were to spend the night. After
1:30 flight, we were in sight of the city''bowl''(because of its location surrounded by volcanoes). The view was absolutely fabulous. The sky was particularly clear. The snow-capped volcanoes stood in front of us. The sun sank over the horizon not without igniting the sky. Nature gave us this show as to make us forget that we were on our way home. In any case, it was much appreciated.
The passage of the Immigration and Customs completed, we were taking a taxi to our hotel. Since we had a night to spend in Mexico, he had to make a choice between an airport hotel, very convenient but expensive and soulless, and a hotel downtown, then tell us to get up earlier but we could perhaps see a little piece of this mysterious city. Me in charge of booking, I took a long time to decide. Having nosed on the Internet, I finally found a perfectly honorable compromise. I told Sylvia had found a''small''Posada (rooming house) apparently comfortable. I told him that we expect hot water, to end this trip. She had no idea where we were going. The taxi driver, I mentioned the address :''70, Avenida Juarez, Reforma.'' After 30 minutes to get downtown, we arrived at the door of our inn''.'' As a''''Posada, we would spend the night at the Hilton Reforma in Mexico City. Sylvie, who dreamed of washing their hair and take a good shower, confirmed to me that we should indeed have hot water!
The porter took our bags on her beautiful golden chariot. In the hall, a swarm of security guards equipped with headsets were assembled and appeared on''war footing,''as if something prepared. At the counter we were greeted with courtesy but with an eye ... just curious. Indeed, it is not every day that they must have''backpackers''disembarking. Moreover, we were up early, had done more than 5 hours by bus, taxi and 1 hour about 2 hours. I had not shaved for two weeks and we were dressed in more urban explorers! But the service was excellent. We got our bags in our room on the 20th floor. There was more space than the 2 rooms of the house and met the city view was spectacular.
After we changed, we went out to go and enjoy your surroundings. In front of the hotel, dozens of people came, all dressed in their finest clothes. The men in suits, women in evening dress. The average age is relatively young, we thought a prom (graduation party) a great school.
soon we had been out that we were surprised by the surroundings. A large park facing the hotel. Dozens of vendors of all kinds were selling all sorts of things from the thousands who were there. In the distance a band was playing music. We took to the right and walked along the avenue narrows into a very nice little street. Everywhere in the world, the world and yet the world (we were on Saturday night). The facades of old houses were covered with colorful ceramics, English style, very Moorish. We were right in the center of Old Mexico. Sumptuous churches. Old stones. Music groups. Terraces crowded. A vibrant atmosphere. That won us over to return a few days to visit this very charming town in such a short time.
After we stopped to eat, we made our way back. Density people''Sunday best''increased gradually as we approached the hotel. Some girls were well dressed he would not be surprising that they have caught pneumonia that night!
And when we finally got to our hotel, it was clear that something was happening. Hundreds of people were gathered in front of the doors. All the better dressed than the others. Many of them waved in the air a purple envelope appeared to be an invitation. In front of the glass doors, cabinets of''ice''retained the crowd. We now understand why security officers were planning full when we arrived! Certainly, the evening which was held at the hotel was to be THE night on the town that night. Without access to doors, I then lifted the card from my hotel room in the air and cried myself that we had a room here. The monster security guard who was several yards in front have a hearing cat, we took a look, saw the hotel card in the air and immediately extended his long arms into the crowd to keep people ahead of him. The eyes are Turned and as motorists who gareraient to let an ambulance, the crowd was split so that we can force our way. What customer service, does not it? I must confess that I could not help thinking that this is what many celebrities have to live every day: the crowd dense, impenetrable and a bodyguard who sees them and opens a gap for that they can''bypass''the whole world. We, we just wanted to go to bed!
After finding the joys of a hot shower (2 weeks in cold water was enough), we could spend a night in the luxury of a bed of Hilton without waking to the sound of the cock, without chips bed, without being too hot nor too cold. At 4:00, the alarm sounded. We had coffee in our room before we set off. The hotel taxi took only 15 minutes to lead us to the airport. The result was easier than usual. At 7:05, the bridge came loose from the fuselage of our A319s. Our next steps would be on Canadian soil, after 5 hours.
That concludes our little expedition in Guatemala. 2 weeks of viewing pleasure, pleasure of the heart. Of pleasures of life to the discovery of a rich culture and welcoming. We found a warm people in Guatemala and curious who does not hesitate to ask questions and welcome you into their country as soon as you can speak a few words of English. It is very comforting for us to see through the eyes of people we meet pleasure to welcome us without us take for''walking''ATM (ATM vendors). We enjoyed this trip as we all love our trips. We grew up. Again. And hope not to have left a negative impression too deep in this country still relatively preserved from mass tourism. It's up to each of us to ensure that the original is still the benefit of tourism more real, more human, more responsible.
look forward to reading your comments and see you soon for another adventure.
Marius and Sylvie
... To continue to get away with us:
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