Follow the Parrot: Depths of Hell... and then Antigua.

October 18th, 2011

Good morning everyone!!! Hope it was a good morning for you because for us, it was TERRIBLE!! Like previously stated in the last blog, we ended up staying the night in Comitan, Mexico. When I was last blogging I figured it would be a simple night, dinner, blog, sleep, wake up. Well what I didn't know was that perched just right outside our door was "the gate to hell" as Abasi put it this morning.

Our room was nice enough, nothing fancy, but clean and we were fairly satisfied that for the next 6-8 hours we would be comfortable. However, somewhere between paying for our room and getting into bed, the room was transported through all portals in the world and we were situated right in the middle of Lucifer's living room.

The room which was settled between a side street and alley, had walls thinner than the paper in the hotel notepad on the side table. We could hear EVERYTHING going on, and most of what we heard, we simply didn't understand. There were sounds inconceivable to the human ear. It was honestly about 2-3 am and you could hear something scratching on our door, people walking all around and outside... OH OUTSIDE! It was even worse. There wasn't even a raindrop falling, yet the wind just beyond our balcony door would make you consider selling your first born. It yelled and howled, knocked electrical cords against the side and from the sound of it you would think the room was being swallowed whole. Though Abasi and I were too scared and/or proud at the time to even open our eyes or console one another, I admitted the next morning to checking the balcony, expecting to seeing someone standing there looking at me, and he prayed for every person (and their soul) he has ever met!

It was honestly that ridiculous.

However, the next morning, red eyed and drowsy from the lack of sleep, we woke up and continued on our path to Costa Rica. We got to the border of Guatemala in about 3 hours, longer than what we thought it would take, yet still happy to have concluded a chapter in our travels... we had now made it through the United States (USA, USA!!!) and Mexico.

Market in Mexico right before we left.

We got into Guatemala with relatively no issues, however right off the bat, the roads sucked and we were forced to drive through villages at about 30 mph. Understand this... we are on the Pan American Highway... it is supposed to be GREAT! So yes, if going 30mph is GREAT then HOORAY, the PanAm is amazing... however if you are expecting to make tracks and put a little oomph in your step than you are sadly disappointed. We were hassled right from the get go at a military stop, however we played "No speako Spanisho" and they quickly realized we weren't worth their time. So we are all clear, Abasi and I did not get hassled one time in Mexico, and as soon as we cross the border into Guatemala, it's on.

Once they realize we are a waste of their time, they send us on our merry way right down their unbelievable terrible roads, past the animals and farms and women carrying baskets on their heads... a true talent. We simply DID NOT like Guatemala. I realize this is a very poor country, so I do not blame the people, however whoever planned these "highways" needs to be fired. As Abasi says "it can't be a highway if there are speed bumps on it." Very true babe, very true.

Another thing about Guatemala is that they DON'T HAVE ANY SIGNS! We pretty much guessed our entire way through the country, hoping we were on the right road, hoping we weren't supposed to turn off here or there.

AND THEY DIDN'T ASK FOR OUR DOG'S PAPERS!!! OMGosh you have no idea how mad that makes me. I jumped through freaking hoops trying to get the paperwork authenticated by Guatemala so that our pups could cross the border. Remember how we had to stop in Atlanta and pay a cab company to go pick up special paper work? Yea, Guatemalan papers. It makes me want to scccreeammm!!!

Dear Guatemala,

Fix your roads, find a new highway that doesn't have "topes" and when you make people go crazy for paperwork... ASK FOR IT!!!

Sincerely,

Krysta and Abasi

Nevertheless we did find a gem amongst the rough. Turns out Antigua, Guatemala is GORGEOUS. Absolutely breathtaking. The architecture is old and beautiful, the food is mouthwatering and the nightlife is buzzing. There are people singing in bistros, people shyly sharing their first date with a glass of wine in a romantic restaurant, or lovers easily reminded of their love while sneaking a kiss in the park. It is simply beautiful. We can't believe it's in Guatemala, but alas it is, and maybe it is perfect there, snuggled in the valley amongst the mountains.

We ended our long day there, with some fantastic food and double margaritas. We were able to have the dogs in the room with us there, so it made everything even better. I personally fell asleep while listening to Abasi Skype chat with his family... a dad in Ohio, a cousin and uncle in Washington and a brother in Costa Rica, all while being in Guatemala. Crazy how easily everything can come together.