Monterrico, Guatemala
On the Pacific Coast of Guatemala, close to El Salvador border lies a fishing village by the name of Monterrico. Here you can soak up the sun aside turtle hatcheries and sip tropical beverages and watch the sun go down after a long day of frolicking in the ocean.
Well that’s what the guide book said. Yes its on the Pacific Coast and yes its close to the border. A fishing village would insinuate the catching, export, and/or consumption of fish, none of which takes place. There was a lot of talk about a turtle hatchery but it was either abandoned, shut down for the season, or in an inaccesible section of town (which isnt that unlikely). Yeah, we had some tropical beverages but the sunset often slipped behind massive clouds long before it was dark. And to frolick in the ocean would be to risk death in the vicious rip current that ravages the shoreline every 30 seconds.
After being robbed silly by three seperate chicken buses we were asked to get off in Taxisco and to wait for another bus. This was completely unnecessary but it seemed as if the cousin, brother, or cousin´s brother of the bus assistant approached him and asked if any foreigners happen to be on board and if they had any clue about what was going on. Because the answer to these questions were yes, and no, nary a one, we hopped off and then were convinced into riding in a taxi to the dock where we would then have to take a boat. All transportation difficulties aside we made it to the ocean.
We arrived at Johnny´s Place, a sad attempt at a beach getaway, dropped our bags and headed to the bar. My travel acquaintance has been battling Montezuma´s Revenge for a few days now and was afflicted by the “I dont think I can finish this” bug, which leaves me well fed and quite happy! Meals out of the way and we hit the hotel pool that had just finished being filled and tried to escape the muggy heat that permeated the air.
Side Note: I have fleas. Bed bugs/Mutant night crawlers have been buffeting for weeks now on my flesh. I am covered in bites and have accumulated quite an array of skin tones and textures.
The bugs were relentless here as well but the wind kept them at bay for a few hours before hunting season come night fall. Nights were relaxing and spent in a hammock or in the pool, a much deserved rest after a day of doing the exact same thing.
I did manage to walk the beach a few times to burn off the calories consumed from eating a meal and a half at every sitting, washing it down with a large tropical beverage. Said walks consisted of running as fast as possible to the shore to avoid blistering the soles of my feet on the black sand and then stopping aprubtly to avoid being slammed by a rogue wave. Speaking of rogue waves, RIP my camera. A sad day occured this week when the Canon stopped working after an encounter with a large ocean spray. I am hoping it needs a little R&R and will be back up and running in no time but the likelihood of that is slim. Mental images, mental images.
The last picture taken for the Canon. Aforementioned ‘attack’ wave is effectively plotting its strike on the far left.
So here I am back in Antigua again, enjoying some civilization and an escape from flying mosquitoes (The ones in the beds dont ever leave). I will be heading to Lake Atitlan tomorrow to meet friends and the adventure continues…
Update soon. LOVE AND MISS!!
