The border crossing from Honduras to Guatemala could not have been easier. No long queues and the two countries immigation offices were right next to each other. Now, that is a good idea! The bus journey was incredibly hot as we sped through the valleys. Hot dry air blowing in through the windows did little to cool you. In the distance, whole hillsides were on fire. It is the end of the dry season, and perfect conditions for forest fires. We hit the end of Semama Santa holiday traffic, so the journey to Antigua took nearly 7 hours. We circuited Guatemala City, which looks hideous, with US style oversized and overhigh commercial signage.
Antigua is a very beautiful Spanish colonial town, dominated by a volcano, the name of which I cannot rememmber. It was the original capital of Guatemala, but abandoned after earthquakes in favour of the Guatemala City. Antigua still has many ruined churches...
Such a beautiful town, butd over-run by tourists from North America. Not travellers, but the sort that walk into your hotel and start talking to the staff in English, not even asking if English is spoken, just assuming. Having so many tourists does have its advantages though, and I managed to find a copy of the Footprint guide to Central America and Mexico. I never liked the Lonely Planet guide to Central America, not only because it covers only the Yucan Penninsular of Mexico, but it is dummed down for North American college kids.
Still, Antigua is a beautiful town, and as Spanish colonnaded plazas go, this is the most impressive that I have seen in Latin America....
...shame about the gringos!
Chris
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