Why Guatemala is my Favorite Destination

San Pedro La Leguna:

A place where old people work as hard as young. Stray dogs replace the more common stray cats or rats. Artists are mainstream. Clothing is mostly washed by hand in the lagoon. The less successful woman sell banana bread, the successful ones are likely artists that handcraft a demanded product of little use. Garbage trucks don't have compressors, the stray dogs are friendly. They lie anywhere they choose and are not chased away. Taxis are three wheeled rikshas. The attitude is friendly, money talks. Money always talks, yet here it is counted in the long stretching Quetzales. The scenery is magnificent, the lake surrounded by volcanoes, everyone is at risk of a sudden eruption but the people are indifferent. The locals are Mayan, holding on to their language and traditions, their history vague. Most of the tourists are Israeli and Australian, the woman selling banana cake call it "Lechem," (Hebrew for bread) the Australians seem confused. The internet is scarce, the weed is sold in kilos. The days are warm, the coffee is grown local. The timeless environment induces many to stay, unaware of the passing months. Age is of little importance, five year old children can be seen selling cigarettes and nine year olds may provide accurate tourist information at a small boutique. Worn clothing is sold with the new. Even locals must drink bottled water, the lake is a cherished poison. No one dresses to impress. My Israeli bargaining skills are put to shame...an 80% discount is a swindle yet still so cheap. There are no hotels just a variety of hostels. If carseats were invented for motorcycles baby's wouldn't sit in the front, regardless, there seems to be no limit as to how many people can fit on one bike. The air is clear, poverty is prevalent, it's a third world country and the people are happy.

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This mountain is called the Indian Nose

In the background is San Pedro

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