In an internet cafי in Panajachel about to catch a boat across Lake Atitlan
to San Pedro. I can’t believe I overpacked so much, but Rolando has been
totally awesome helping carry my big backpack, among other hospitable sort
of things. Arrived in Guatemala yesterday, safe and sound after almost
missing my flight because they sent me to the wrong gate. Had to get
shuttled out with a few other misdirected stragglers and board from the
runway. Half-slept most of the way, but awoke a for a bit, hungry enough to
eat around the ham in the cheese sandwich. Despite my anti-socialness and
the fact that I think I stole her window seat, Amanda, the Guatemalteca girl
beside me, invited me to come visit her village Sipacate La Comera.


Rolando arrived around 6, after I’d made nice with the Tourist Information
dude, who let me stash my bags behind his kiosk desk. Went with him and his
friends (Pablo & Jessica and their cute oddly guero baby Pablito) to a
Posada (pre-Christmas gathering with a musical pilgrimage to the host house
to act out a Maria/Mary and Jose/Joseph scene with a back and forth
sing-song process before the partyers-to-be get let in), then spent the
night at their house. Interesting late night conversations about corruption
and society and individualism and other light stuff.

The poverty in Guatemala City is very apparent, somehow more
desperate and less aggressive than Mexico. Fill in later.

Gotta run or I’ll miss the lancha