Guatemala
Canal de Chiquimulilla

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    • Day 11

      Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

      January 25, 2023 in Guatemala ⋅ 🌧 50 °F

      “Seek and you will find. Don’t be willing to accept and ordinary life.”

      Our motto: Experience ... Explore ... Enrich ... Enjoy

      The Pangaea supercontinent existed until about 200 million years ago where there was ONE Continent, a continuous land mass until it broke up to what we know today.

      Note: Worth researching if you're into that type of history and geography.

      Now, moving from North America to Central America:

      What is Central America? Not a continent. Most consider it part of North America (geographically) although it is the section of land connecting North and South America.

      It includes Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaraqua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Some (including the United Nations) would say it includes Mexico (I thought that was N.A.), Belize and Honduras. The Mayans lived here for centuries and are known for their writings, art, development of the calendar and extensive math. Conquered by the Spanish in 1500’s, who were looking for territory and treasures. Today there are still 6 million Mayans that speak 52 languages living here. We stopped in two ports in Central America. First, Puerto Quetzal.

      Karen and I were twice previously in Guatemala and had learned and enjoyed from very interesting tours here about these poor but happy, colorful, humble and religious people, so we decided to go out on our own for a walk. Mostly non-eventful since much of what we saw was the beautifully colorful textiles and tourist stuff for sale. Since we are not making purchases, that was an easy walk. For a small Country, barely the size of Ohio, Guatemala borders: Mexico, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador as well as a small piece of coastline on the Pacific and the Caribbean. Old Antigua is a quaint town that was the capital. There are many places where coffee and sugar cane are farmed but the main item you see is the Beautiful Mayan textiles and rum (which a few of our friends stocked up on). For years, I’ve kept my Guatemalan Worry Dolls on my nightstand at home (wherever home is) and carry them with us when we travel.

      The Port (photo 3)
      Karen and Her Friend, Jade (photo 4)
      Impressive straw/bamboo pyramid (photo 5)
      Time for the May-pole (photo 6)
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    • Day 11

      Peru ???

      January 25, 2023 in Guatemala ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

      Are we going to Peru 1/30 - 2/2?

      If you are following the craziness in Peru, you will not be surprised that this morning they cancelled our 3 days in Salaverry, Callao, and Pisco Peru. Sadly, over 50 people have been killed since protests began in early December 2022 following the ousting of President Pedro Castillo. Most of the current rallies and marches are to demand his replacement, Dino Boluarte, step down and call new elections. Yesterday, local newspapers reported a “national strike” as many cities were closed down, with major roads blocked.

      For those that had planned 3-day trips to Machu Picchu this is very disappointing. Karen and I would have loved to go back to Peru (we were in Machu Pichu doing the Inca Trail on February 15, 2020 when Covid started to explode), so we understand and feel very lucky to have been there and experienced its wonder when we could. Not to mention we now make and love drinking Pisco Sours at home (if you never heard of them or tried one, give it a shot, most liquor stores have Pisco). https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pisco-sour

      Instead of Peru, we will be extending our trip to Ecuador for 2 additional days (and going to Guayaquil, Ecuador 1/31-2/1 with another day in Callao, Peru a protected area, just to pick-up fuel ..somewhat important).

      “There are only two times in life, NOW and TOO LATE”!!
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Canal de Chiquimulilla

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