Huehue

Today (Sunday) we traveled to Huehuetenango which is another department adjacent to Quezaltenango. This journey was also by chickenbus but lasted for two hours. We (Rachel, Sarah, Hannah, Korrin, Aeja) went to the Minerva Bus Terminal la terminal to pick up a bus. There are easily 20 colored buses and we need to listen for the ayudante calling the destinations. We climbed aboard a bus headed for Huehue (pronounced way way) and waited for loading passengers and gas and set out for our two hours adventure for 20Q. We squished three to a set, which is the custom for crowded buses, and more in the aisle. Many people came on board with bags, food, and small children. When we stopped near Huehue, the ayudante passed down a bed frame, mattress, and dresser from the roof of the bus for a woman passenger. Strangle-y, our bus had a working television at the front. We watched Ghostrider with Nicholas Cage in Spanish. They spoke pretty slowly and I was able to understand the majority of the movie. We didn’t quite get to finish it but I can imagine the ending. At the Huehue terminal we boarded a microbus for 2Q to the central park.

The original plan was to eat at one of the restaurants recommended by my guide book. The first was a log-house (actually looked like a log house) but it was closed. The second was a recommendation supported by my host dad but it was also closed. It is strange that things here are so quite on Sundays – everyone is resting and going to church. We ended up eating at restaurant overlooking the park (see photo). I had a very delicious piece of carne asada. The first I have had in Guatemala. Yum!

Our primary purpose for this visit was to go the Zacuela ruins. We waited for yet another bus 2.5Q to take us to the ruins. A very helpful ayudante from another bus tried to get a bus to wait for us but we couldn’t run fast enough. We hung on the street corner where several other locals helped us to catch the right bus. We arrived at the ruins which are literally next to a neighborhood – so strange! We encountered a glaring example of taking advantage of tourists. The entrance fee for Guatemalans was 5Q and for foreigners 50Q. I was put off by the huge discrepancy in price but probably would have paid it if some of the other girls had not also been upset. I was anticipating 20-30Q entry but not 50. I told the “cashier” (hardly, in his concrete box) that we lived in Xela but he would not accept my paper with my host family address as sufficient identification for locals. I could see some of the ruins from the entrance and four of us decided not to pay the outrageous cost. I understand that 50Q is only $8 but the principal of price gouging foreign visitors is ridiculous. Rachel, Korrin, Sarah, and I walked along the road next to the ruins because you could see the ruins through the bush fence. A creepy man followed us on the opposite side of the bushes – I assume to make sure we didn’t try to sneak in. We ended up just getting a cold drink and chatting while Aeja and Hannah wandered the ruins and the small museum. They said it was worth the cost but I am going to hold out for Tikal, another set of ruins which is much larger.

As Hannah and Aeja exited, a bus arrived to take us back into town. Then we had a brief connection to a bus to the terminal. Again, the ayudantes and street people were incredibly helpful. At the terminal, a man aboard the bus guided us to the right section of chicken buses back to Xela. I paid 2Q for toilet paper to use a public restroom (probably one of the dirtiest places I have peed). As the rain began, we found a bus back to Xela. This time the man charged us 30Q. We explained that on the way here we had only paid 20 but we ultimately agreed because we weren’t sure when the next bus was coming or if there was another option. It is tricky to negotiate when you are not quite sure what to say and you are being ushered onto a bus. It took us forever to leave as we waited in the terminal and again on another street. Another bus for Xela passed us as we sat squished together. Eventually we hit the road and made good time. Our bus driver was somewhat of a speed demon and we took the curves pretty fast. We had to hold on to avoid crushing eachother and knocking us off our seats. No movie this time but some nice conversation.

In all, I had a great day. I enjoyed the time with my new friends and exploring. This was the first trip I navigated and we did not miss any of our bus connections. Although the trip was not initially my idea, Hannah and I set up the time to go. I had a drawn a map (copied from my travel book) and a list of restaurants and important intersections. We made it there and back in one piece. I do not know if I will return again because the city had many of the same offerings as Xela but smaller. However, I will say again the people here were incredibly nice and helpful.