Being a norteamericano backpacking tourist in Central America is hard work! I'll bet you didn't know there are a lot of chores involved. On top of being around and getting around in security and safety, you have to research hotels and restuarants,consult guidebooks and maps, look for bus stations and buses to get to the stations, get laundry done every few days, and you have to do all this while trying to stay on budget. Plus you have to get all these things done in a language which is not your own.
It may seems strange, but quite often I wake up in a mild panic because I have such a lengthy to do list, and today was one of those days.
1. Find a cheaper hotel room, check.
2. Get cash at ATM, check.
3. Take laundry to service shop, check.
4. Log on to hopefully high speed internet, check.
5. Update blog, check.
6. Check email, check.
7. Buy memory card for camera, check.
8. Arrange transport to Chichicastenango and back, check.
9. Go to supermarket, check.
10. Pick up laundry before the woman closes shop, check.
You get the picture.
I love getting all that stuff done by noon, so I can go out and do my 'real mission' which is the reconaissance of photo ops, then later walkby picture taking.
Check back again soon for a more detailed post about my photo mission in Central America. Until then, I'm going to enjoy this ultra cool city enjoying its very fine weekend.
Showing posts with label guidebooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guidebooks. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
As the Sun Goes Down I Follow the Locals
In the tropics people start their day pretty early, and their day tends to end earlier too, as it basically following the progress of the sun.
There are many good reasons for this, especially on travel days when I like to get a bus to my destination between 7-9 a.m. in order to arrive at the next town & get settled before it gets too hot in the afternoon.
And though I used to be a night owl when I was a journeyman musician working the bars & clubs, these days I'm not at all into the nightlife scene when I'm at home or on the road. When I'm traveling it definitely helps keep the budget balanced if I'm not spending very much on drinks & nightclubbing.
At sundown people here head home, and all over the city the gates are coming down--not just on businesses & restaurants but on the one & two star hotels where I hang my hat, and the gates are coming down on people's homes too.
Given that most guidebooks advise foreigners to avoid walking the streets after dark and to take taxis everywhere (for even a short trip to the wealthy Zona 10 from the hotel in my less-wealthy Zona 9--just a ten minute walk--it is recommended that you take a taxi), I tend to follow the locals when in Rome. So here in GC after dark I prepare to take an evening meal somewhere nearby and pretty much call it a day after that.
There are many good reasons for this, especially on travel days when I like to get a bus to my destination between 7-9 a.m. in order to arrive at the next town & get settled before it gets too hot in the afternoon.
And though I used to be a night owl when I was a journeyman musician working the bars & clubs, these days I'm not at all into the nightlife scene when I'm at home or on the road. When I'm traveling it definitely helps keep the budget balanced if I'm not spending very much on drinks & nightclubbing.
At sundown people here head home, and all over the city the gates are coming down--not just on businesses & restaurants but on the one & two star hotels where I hang my hat, and the gates are coming down on people's homes too.
Given that most guidebooks advise foreigners to avoid walking the streets after dark and to take taxis everywhere (for even a short trip to the wealthy Zona 10 from the hotel in my less-wealthy Zona 9--just a ten minute walk--it is recommended that you take a taxi), I tend to follow the locals when in Rome. So here in GC after dark I prepare to take an evening meal somewhere nearby and pretty much call it a day after that.
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