San Pedro on Lake Atitlan
I arrived here in San Pedro yesterday morning, after taking a 2 hour tourismo van ride from Antigua. The bus drops you off in the town of Panajachel, where I walked about a 1/4 a mile to the dock. From there I took a 1/2 boat ride to the town of San Pedro. Lake Atitlan is huge and stunning, and is surrounded by volcanos.
The town itself is one steep hill. It puts my days in San Francisco to shame. There are a few cobble stone roads, and a great deal of dirt foot paths. Trying to find my spanish school, at first I thought I was lost in some dirty alley, but alas...that maze of paths is their road. Every corner I turned found a new hotel or funky restaurant with hammocks.
I started my Spanish class today. I did some research on line and it got good reviews. http://www.cooperativeschoolsanpedro.com/ The view from school is breathtaking. I'm going four hours a day, one on one instruction. My muestro is named Chino, and I think we'll do well together. I've also started my home stay this afternoon. It's a family with 3 really cute and funny little kids. It was suggested to bring the kids presents, I bought wooden tops from home for that. Their parents are my age and don't speak English, but are friendly nonetheless. I have my own room and will have all my meals with them. Lunch today was tasty spagetti with chicken and vegetables. Their house is cinderblock with a dirt courtyard. All the rooms are next to each other, picture a strip motel if you will. Meals are cooked on an open fire. Their sink is outside in the center of the courtyard. There is another student who started today with them too. She's from Scotland. She's very friendly and pretty cool.
San Pedro is by far the cheapest town I've been to. Last night's hotel...very nice with tile floors and a great view of the lake was $5.00 US. My Spanish school, including 4 hours of daily instruction, a home stay which includes all meals is $120.00 US, total! WOW! I've been paying on average $10 -15 US a night for hotels. Meals are little more, but still very affordable.
San Pedro is a mix of Guatemalans, Mayans and some Gringos that are still living the sixties. I used to the sixtes were super cool, but now....not so much. Seriously. These dudes bring 'burn out' to a WHOLE new level. One of them tried to talk to me yesterday. I felt like I was having a conversation with Bob Dylan.
Every village has and idiot, San Pedro's is now afraid of me. This is a good thing. He haunted me for over an hour yesterday. It began at the dock, upon arrival. Now, I know these guys will probably get a couple of bucks if they steer me to a friend's business. I get that, and appreciate that. But this guy was RELENTLESS. He had hotels for me, horses for me, kayaks for me, canoes for me, drugs for me. He asked over and over and over again. He didn't get the meaning of, "no gracias". I finally snapped and shouted at him. He now hides from me when he sees me. I felt bad, and God forgive me, I think he's kinda slow, but I had enough. I have never been hasled like that before.
I'll stay here through Friday before heading out. Not sure If I'll see anymore of Guatemala, or if I'm ready to head to Hondorus. The Bay Islands are calling my name..... http://www.roatanonline.com/moreroatan/roatan_beaches.htm
Adios amigos. Oh and I think I was able to disable the sign in, so you can now post without having to register.
The town itself is one steep hill. It puts my days in San Francisco to shame. There are a few cobble stone roads, and a great deal of dirt foot paths. Trying to find my spanish school, at first I thought I was lost in some dirty alley, but alas...that maze of paths is their road. Every corner I turned found a new hotel or funky restaurant with hammocks.
I started my Spanish class today. I did some research on line and it got good reviews. http://www.cooperativeschoolsanpedro.com/ The view from school is breathtaking. I'm going four hours a day, one on one instruction. My muestro is named Chino, and I think we'll do well together. I've also started my home stay this afternoon. It's a family with 3 really cute and funny little kids. It was suggested to bring the kids presents, I bought wooden tops from home for that. Their parents are my age and don't speak English, but are friendly nonetheless. I have my own room and will have all my meals with them. Lunch today was tasty spagetti with chicken and vegetables. Their house is cinderblock with a dirt courtyard. All the rooms are next to each other, picture a strip motel if you will. Meals are cooked on an open fire. Their sink is outside in the center of the courtyard. There is another student who started today with them too. She's from Scotland. She's very friendly and pretty cool.
San Pedro is by far the cheapest town I've been to. Last night's hotel...very nice with tile floors and a great view of the lake was $5.00 US. My Spanish school, including 4 hours of daily instruction, a home stay which includes all meals is $120.00 US, total! WOW! I've been paying on average $10 -15 US a night for hotels. Meals are little more, but still very affordable.
San Pedro is a mix of Guatemalans, Mayans and some Gringos that are still living the sixties. I used to the sixtes were super cool, but now....not so much. Seriously. These dudes bring 'burn out' to a WHOLE new level. One of them tried to talk to me yesterday. I felt like I was having a conversation with Bob Dylan.
Every village has and idiot, San Pedro's is now afraid of me. This is a good thing. He haunted me for over an hour yesterday. It began at the dock, upon arrival. Now, I know these guys will probably get a couple of bucks if they steer me to a friend's business. I get that, and appreciate that. But this guy was RELENTLESS. He had hotels for me, horses for me, kayaks for me, canoes for me, drugs for me. He asked over and over and over again. He didn't get the meaning of, "no gracias". I finally snapped and shouted at him. He now hides from me when he sees me. I felt bad, and God forgive me, I think he's kinda slow, but I had enough. I have never been hasled like that before.
I'll stay here through Friday before heading out. Not sure If I'll see anymore of Guatemala, or if I'm ready to head to Hondorus. The Bay Islands are calling my name..... http://www.roatanonline.com/moreroatan/roatan_beaches.htm
Adios amigos. Oh and I think I was able to disable the sign in, so you can now post without having to register.
posted by amy at 3:33 PM
4 Comments:
wow- I cant believe how freaking cheap this is!!! I hope you're having a great time and dont feel abd about yelling at that guy - no gracias means NO!!!
miss you
Thank you for turning off the login requirement. Love reading of your adventures!! It is freezing here. The shock from returning from Costa Rica on Sunday nearly did me in. CR was wonderful~ surfed, surfed and surfed some more.
I will make sure to have a slice of Regina's for you!!
It's your shining freshness that attracted him to you. He just wanted to give you anything you wanted. But nooooo, you had to go and scare the locals.
(snerk)
Go comb some sand senorita.
Missya!
*waves* Hi Guys!
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