Guate to Boston

Last Thursday, I headed to Guatemala City to start my adventure to Boston. I wanted to leave Xela Friday morning but the bus company had cancelled all their early morning buses with the ongoing risks for the tormenta (storm). Rachel was heading to Guate (what everyone here calls Guatemala City) to meet up with her godfather for the weekend so I thought I would travel with her. We left Xela at 12:30pm with our backpacks half-filled (soon to be stuffed). We spent most of the ride chatting, snacking, and looking out the window. There were a ton of rocks, mud, and debris from all the derumbes (mudslides) that blocked the carretera (freeway). In many places, only one side of the freeway was open. In one place, part of the road had fallen away and left a giant hole. This happens when the rain wipes out the supporting dirt under the road and the road cannot tolerate the weight. This happened somewhere closer to Guate and a couple died walking across the road when it collapsed. After four hours, we arrived at the Alamo bus station. We said our goodbyes and parted ways. Rachel headed to the airport and I called the hostel to come pick me up.

A very friendly Guatemalan, who at first glance did not appear Guatemalan to me, came to pick me up. She has lived in Guate her whole life and is the sister of the owner of the hostel, Quetzalroo (named for the Guatemalan Quetzal bird and the kangaroo – the owners are a Guatemalan and Australian pair). We had a nice chat in Spanish and I asked her a bit about the city. Everyone, including Guatemalans, talk about how dangerous Guate is and how you should never walk anywhere alone. When I arrived at the hostel, I was eager to find some lunch. She assured me I could walk down the street to McDonalds or the Oakland Park shopping center a few blocks further. I locked all my stuff away in a locker in the very clean dormitory and headed out. I was not interested in eating another shitty burger walked past the McD’s option.

The first place I arrived was the Design Center. This was a large glass building with furniture and artwork that reminded me of high end offspring of Crate & Barrel and IKEA. The stores inside were closed because Thursday was a federal holiday to remember the revolution. There was an appealing looking Italian restaurant so I decided to eat there. I should have looked at the menu before I went in but I could not resist real Italian food. Pasta at my house or in the clinic is overcooked and covered in tomato paste – not so flavorful. I ordered pasta Bolognese and a Coke Light. I paid 96!! The can of Coke Light cost 18Q!! In the grocery store, a can of Coke Light costs 4Q. What a rip off! While waiting for my food in the restaurant, I spotted a Starbucks across the street. This was the first one I have ever seen in Guatemala. The Starbucks was located outside a giant mall.

After receiving my giant shopping bag of take out without plastic silverware, I crossed the street to check out the mall. As I entered the doors, I could have been entering any mall in the States. There was a Steve Madden store, Lacoste, North Face (1200Q for a vest), Claire’s, and hundreds of others. I wandered around and got trapped on each floor. They do not use the same logic in positioning up and down escalators as in the States but I guess it forces you to walk past every store on a level before leaving. I passed a woman selling miniature cupcakes, a huge line at the movie theater (it was a federal holiday), and a man making crepes. There was even an animatronic dinosaur on the top level and a fashion show on the bottom floor. I was overwhelmed by this splash of American life clashing with my new normal in Xela. All of the customers looked like they could be from any country in the world. I did not see anyone in traje (indigenous dress). This is where the elite of Guatemala come to shop and play. I got out pretty quick.

I headed back to the hostel in the afternoon sun, eager to eat my ridiculously expensive pasta. It was very tasty and flavorful. I spent the rest of the evening reading The End of Poverty by Jeremy Sachs, writing responses to potential interview questions, and chatting online with friends.

I awoke Friday morning after most of my other dorm mates had left, showered, and relaxed a bit more until it was time to go. I got dropped off at the airport with plenty of time to spare. After I dropped my bag, I headed to find a snack. With my chicken Caesar salad wrap in hand, I used the complimentary wifi and awaited by departure. I guess Guatemala City was a good transition back to the States but I am sure grateful that we live in Xela.