Quirky Guatemala

We love Guatemala but there are many things that are quirky about Guatemala that stand out to us as we enjoy exploring the country.

1. The Guatemalans like for things to be sweet. The ketchup is sweet. The sodas are made with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup and they taste sweeter. The sweet coffee and tea gets extra sugar added to it—giving Milo’s in Alabama a run for their money.

2. The women carry all kinds of items on their head, and start at a young age.

3. The babies are carried in slings, large wraps of fabric— different from the baby bjorn and commercial slings sold in the states. And there are no car seats, strollers, or bouncy seats to set a baby in. Usually the baby is strapped piggyback style to the back. But I’ve seen it hung off the shoulder like a large tote bag. I even see women using a baby sling with the strap going across their foreheads and the baby lying transverse across their backs— one can only tell by the outline that it is a baby in that fabric. I can’t imagine how strong their necks must be to support the weight of a baby like that.

4. It is not uncommon for sinks to be fashioned out of concrete and a water collecting system for rainwater. The soap is put in a little bowl and dabbed at with a rag. The rags.. I still can’t figure out how they make the rags, maybe from recycled shredded towels?

5. The people are crazy clean. Considering that often their clothes are hand washed, and the streets are dusty and muddy, they walk around in very clean clothes, and lots of white shirts without stains on them. We feel like slobs in our boat clothes when we go to town.

6. The men typically wear jeans, belt, long sleeve shirt, and hat. The women wear long skirts, a shirt, and then a lacy top over the shirt. The younger generation dress more in a USA type still of dress. And it is not uncommon in 80-90 degree weather to see people wearing shirts with sweaters or hoodies while we are wearing tank tops, maybe they are just that more acclimated?

7. Unlike Mexico the food isnt spicy, and refried black beans are common with every meal. A typical Guatemalan breakfast is scrambled eggs, refried beans, plantains or potatoes, and tortillas.

8. It is considered rude for the waiter to bring you your check without you requesting it. We spent a loooooong time in restaurants after we were done eating before we finally figured out we needed to request “la cuenta”.

9. Individually wrapped hotdogs. Need I say more?

10. The gas is all full serve. I saw this in Mexico as well, I’m not sure how widespread it is there, but it does seem to be widespread in Guatemala.

11. Chicken buses. Called chicken buses because the people are stuffed in them like you are transporting chickens. The buses are imported from the United States where they are then painted, luggage racks added, all kinds of lights and decorations added, and a ladder put on the back. An attendant for the bus will frequently be riding the ladder. They drive crazy fast up and down the curved mountain roads.

12. The doorways. The Guatemalans are as a people not as tall as what we are used to in the United States. Aislin, Kim, and I can pretty much walk through any door or archway although it is close, but Benjamin always has to duck. He has hit his forehead so many times I might have to make him start wearing a helmet.

13. The bandaids are sold individually. I didn’t know this and walked into a store in Antigua and requested a bandage for my arm which I had just cut. The clerk handed me a bandaid. I thanked him, put it on my cut, and walked out the door. Later in Lake Atitlán, Kim asked me to buy her some bandaids for the blisters she was getting on her feet. I went to a store and asked if they had bandaids and the lady asked me how many did I want. I guess around 10 or so. She then carefully counted out 10 bandaids from the box. I guess I owe that guy back in Antigua money for that bandaid that I thought he gave me out of the goodness of his heart.

14. I don’t have a photo, but the enterprising Guatemalans have found a way to make money anytime there is a slowdown on the highway. Be it due to a wreck, rush hour, or roadwork, they start walking up and down the lanes of highway selling waters, cashews, candy, sodas, and cold coconuts with straws in them. The longer the backup is going to be the more venders there are. We were on a main highway from Guatemala city and there was an accident with a backup for almost an hour. It was like a ball game or a circus there were so many venders. In addition to the normal wares for sale, there was even someone selling cotton candy! I can’t imagine trying to eat cotton candy in a car!

We have thoroughly enjoyed Guatemala. We will miss the mountains, the howler monkeys at dawn and dusk, the birds, butterflies, and beautiful countryside. We have enjoyed the local people we have met; whether they be working on our boat, driving us around the countryside, or teaching us Spanish. We will especially miss the cruisers we have met there. They have left a permanent impression on our hearts and hopefully we will meet again at another anchorage, another time.