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Mexico, Guatemala - full stop
  • Nomadin
Jan. – März 2020

Mexico, Guatemala - full stop

Fulfilling a life dream - traveling without a return date! Follow me! Weiterlesen
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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Merida - Contemporary Mayan Art

    13. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    I’m in love with this Art. I never thought of myself of a avid Art person. I like Art yes, but this is it.
    Now I am in Live with Art. In Europeans museum and galleries I’m seldom in aw or even touched by Art. Here I am.Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin
    Producing tortilliasChrist and mountain (Mayan Symbol) togetherSmoke rising in a sunray!Natural Art!

    Zinacatan and the women’s (un)importance

    13. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We took a guided tour to a village with indigenes people. Marina, the guide, is from this village.
    The advertisement was they we would go into a typical Mayan household.
    That was not the case. It was shop:-). It is a place where real Mayan embroidering is done.
    The textile are died with plants which they grow themselves in greenhouses.
    The art, color and craft is stunning.

    But Marina had a lot of interesting stories to tell. In this community the laws are very strict. If you don’t follow by the dot, you’ll be kicked out of the community with no coming back.
    It seems that the village has some independence as a Mayan village.

    Girls get married between 12 and 18 years. The parents decide to whom they get married. It is of utter importance that the spouse gives birth to boys. If it is not the case the husband can marry again.... and again.... and again, basically as often he likes to. The wife’s live all together.
    Wife’s have to be submissive, obedient, sweet - they have no say at anything. The husband has to be revered, honored and a command of him is godlike.

    The Mayans here don’t go to school, don’t learn Spanish, reading or writing.
    Women are not allowed to show feelings, so they put their feelings in the embroidery of fabrics. Clothing, shawls, art, etc. All the clothing is so colorful, that actually confuses me. Their lives must be difficult - and still so colorful? Actually I have never seen the color black? Have to inquire.

    Marina did not want to get married and by 13 years old she left for San Cristóbal. No reading or writing skills, no formal education. Once she left she is inexistent for her family. She must be in her early 50ties. She never saw her family again. Nobody of her 20 brothers and 4 sisters. Neither cousins nor uncles.
    She says that for a woman to leave the community she needs self-esteem, courage, a dream, a motivation, a strong will. Very few women do it, she is not aware of a man who did it.

    She made a career, a life. She is unmarried and..... unkissed.

    I tried to ask wether this particular village is being so strict if Mayan culture generally are like that?
    Choosing to resist change and clinging to their customs and traditions?
    I guess that there many different forms of Mayan culture, sub-Mayan cultures? Maybe change is being handled differently? Somehow i could not get an answer.

    Later, writing this lines I ask a gentleman sitting beside me. He explains to me, that indigene Zinacanta are Mayan but they are separatist. At some point they were not in agreement with the Mayan politics so people and families left. Formed their own tribe and language.

    That is what he says...    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    San Cristobal - very basic AirBnB

    14. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    My AirBnB is very..... basic🤨🤭🧐😀, but everything is clean and toilet/bathroom works. The shower has even hot water! There is no isolation whatsoever in this house, I can hear the guys taking a leak.....very loudly.
    But for 10 Sfr an night I would dream of complaining!
    Host is a young couple with to young kids. Very nice people!    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin
    A billion steps....

    San Cristobal

    15. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    The city is in the state of Chiappas is in a valley on 2200 meters rounded by mountains.
    Since I’m not fond of heat anymore temperatures around 20 degree are just fine!
    Thy city has 250‘000 inhabitants, it‘s just the size I likes city to be. A human size.
    My first tip from the taxi driver who took me to the my AirBNB was; Whenever you take a cab, take a picture of the Cab number (on the doors), fake a phone call and tell „them“ in which cab number you sit. Good advice but also; WHAT KIND OF PLACE IS THIS?? Scary....

    The town is a grid like many towns here. The center is clearly restored and taken care of but off the beaten path the houses immediately start to show signs of age and not being cared for. The further you go the shabbier the houses get.
    It reminded me of St. Petersburg in Russia. There actually the one front of the house (where tourist walk) was splendidly renovated. In the parallel street behind the same house looked like abandoned🤭.
    The houses almost all have the same height (one story, max two) and similar architecture which gives the city a nice, harmonious, cozy feel.
    Vendors are all over the place. Mostly Mayan places. Seeing the desperation of howbadly they want to sell and how many there are I assume poverty must be large.
    I see 5 year old boys selling and I see 7 years old girls with a baby on there back selling.

    I had agreed with my travel buddy Jonathan to meet in S.C. Then we bumped into eachother in a „Chocolateria“. On may way to the center I got distracted by chocolate.... S.C is famous for it.
    We roamed the city, helped the way to a church which must have had a billion steps🥵.
    Dinner in a restaurant/space for Art/textiles. https://la-antigua-restaurante.business.site/
    See the video.
    We learned about a digestive called posh made of corn, cane sugar, and wheat. LECKER!!!
    Great dinner für 10 Sfr.    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin
    Die Kirche der Rituale

    S.J. Chamula und die geopferten Hühner

    15. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Im nächsten Dorf besuchen wir die Kirche und erleben erstaunliches. Viele Kirchen sind katholisch und heidisch. Für die Mayas sind die Sonne, der Mond und das Wasser die wichtigsten Götter.
    Ich finde es immer beeindruckend wenn Religionen so friedlich coexistieren.
    Hier der ans Kreuz genagelte Christus, da die heiligen Symbole der Maya. Die Berge sind der heilige Ort für die Mayas. Wenn sie Probleme haben gehen sie in die Berge, zünden eine Kerze an, machen ein Ritual und versuchen ihr Problem zu lösen.
    In Zinacantan und San Juan Chamula gehen die Leute in der Regel nicht zum Doktor sondern suchen den Heiler auf. Eine häufige Praxis ist ein Huhn über den Körper zu reiben und ihm dann denn Hals umdrehen und die entsprechende Rituale abhalten. Dazu gehört Cocaola trinken weil während dem Ritual gegorpst werden muss.... Singen, Kerzen anzünden und anderes.
    In der Kirche sehen wir genau dieses Ritual eine Mutter mit Ihrer Tochter. Fotografieren war nicht erlaubt.
    Das Problem ist das Frauen auf Grund der Lebensumstände (viel Gewalt gegen Frauen, Tötungsdelikte, vielen Geburten) häufiger erkranken. Frauen mit Krebs z.B. werden auch so „behandelt“ und sterben dann.
    Das Bild dem Friedhof; Die schwarzen Kreuze stehen für beerdigte Frauen, die blauen für Männer.
    Sehe selbst wie das Verhältnis von Schwarz zu Blau ist.
    Der junge Mann macht es auch nicht mehr lange.

    Ich denke den Dörfern werden bald die Frauen ausgehen

    Es macht mich traurig, es entsetzt mich. Ich komme in solchen Situationen immer an den Punkt wo ich mich frage; Wieviel eigene Kultur darf sein, wieviel nicht. Machen die allgemeine Menschenrechte vor dem Recht auf eigene Traditionen, Werte und Normen halt?

    Die Gewalt, der emotionale, körperliche und sexuelle Missbrauch von und an Frauen ist erheblich in Mexiko. Aber es wird versucht etwas dagegen zu tun. Aufklärung, Sensibilisierung, etc.
    Seit einiger Zeit gibt es das Delikt „Femizid“. Wenn eine Frau getötet wird bekommt die Täter ca. 20% mehr Gefängniszeit als wenn ein Mann getötet wird.
    Ich finde die Wortgebung „Femizid“ genial. Was findest du Mara?    Weiterlesen

  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin
    Cactus candela1Pozol - Corn, cocolate and Cinamon

    Sumydero Canyon y los Zapatistas

    16. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    The Canyon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumidero_Canyon is 35 years old. Same as the Grand Canyon and Colorado River. 30 km long.
    The highest point of on the Canyons steep wall is 1000 meters. 1 kilometer! Impressive.
    Jonathan and Milena (CS from Merida now working in San Cristobal) came a long.

    The Mexican government had long planned to build a direct road from San Cristobal to Palenque (two hours drive) as well as a train throughout the southeast of Mexico. The Canyon is on the way to Palenque.
    The zapatistas would not let them. So it took us much longer. The road is protected by Federal Police because of possible assaults. Yet the zapatistas put in place road blocks and ask for toll.
    The police does not intervene. The bigger problem than the toll are the road blocks which can hold up your journey for hours, sometimes for days.
    One gentleman in the boss described the Zapatista movement as follows.

    „They get substantial funds and help from the Mexican government (to the Mayan community in the region) yet they still complain about the goverment“.😂

    I‘m going to Palenque on Wednesday and will take to even longer route to not get held up on my way. That will be 8 hours instead of 4-5. It‘s overnight so I thing it is ok.

    The article below is an informative and easy read.

    https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/…    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    San Cristobal - Step Aerobic on sidewalk

    17. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    The streets and sidewalks are all in cobble stones, not always flat and very, very uneven.
    There is the height of the sidewalks, you could easily have a step aerobic class jumping up and down. There is the part of sidewalks in front of houses. The car is parked in the courtyard of the house. In front of the house they make the sidewalk a steep slope (at an angle) because they are to high for the car to get on the street. And then there are plain wholes on the sidewalks.
    It’’s very uncomfortable for the pedestrian! Every 10 meters you have to watch your step and either get off the sidewalk and then back again or you have to cross the slope with very awkward steps.
    Also the city is very hilly, up and down, like Lausanne.
    I actually have hard time to walk.    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin
    Bremsrampe in 1 km
    Bremsrampe in 500 mDen Weg frei geben für Vehikel ohne BremsenBremsrampe

    Bremsrampe für Vehikel ohne Bremsen????

    21. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Das ist eine Bildstrecke. Das erste der gelben Strassensignale besagte: “Bremsrampe für Vehikel ohne Bremsen. Folgen Sie der roten Linie“.
    Als ich das sah gingen gleichzeitig 1000 und 1 Frage durch den Kopf. Gehen hier die Bremsen so oft kaputt dass man extra Bremsrampen baut? Sparen die Mexikaner, kaufen es ohne Bremsen und hoffen das Beste? Ist das ein neuer Trendsport? Ist das Bremsmaterial knapp? Wie weiss ich denn ob ein Auto ohne Bremsen hinter mir ist, sodass ich den Weg frei gebe? Ich merke es frühestens im Jenseits!
    Ich war so überrascht dass ich nicht schnell genug war um ein Bild zu machen. Danach habe ich die unten Bilder unten gemacht.
    Starte mit dem 1. Bild von links nach rechts.    Weiterlesen

  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Flughafen Transfer à la Claudia

    22. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Echt.Jetzt.Mal. Das Claudia-soll-ein-Flugzeug-besteigen Abenteuer beginnt so.
    Ich werde abgeholt. Unterwegs merkt der Chauffeur dass er Zuwenig Platz hat also muss er das Auto wechseln. Dazu muss er offenbar über die schlechtesten und diejenigen mit den meisten Speedbumps ausgestattete Strass fahren.
    Mir ist noch übel von Herrn Montezuma‘s Rache welche mich drei Tage in die Horizontale gezwungen hat. Mit dabei eine Amerikanerin mit 4-jährigem quengelndem Sohn und ihr Vater sowie ein mexikanisches älteres Paar. Der ältere Herr sass vorne. Zeitverlust ca. 30 Minuten.

    Dann gehts los mit wunderschöner Aussicht. Nach etwa 10 Minuten stirbt das Auto langsam...., geht nicht mehr an, ein neues wird bestellt. Zum Glück sind wir noch nicht soweit von San Cristobal entfernt. Auto kommt es wird umgeladen. Zeitverlust ca. 40 Minuten.
    Weiterhin wunderbare Aussicht. Sohn wird immer quengelnder, Mutter immer genervter. Dafür sitze ich jetzt vorne weil ich mich einmal ergeben musste.

    Als nächstes werden wir von grimmig aussehenden Zapatista mit Gewehren angehalten. Strassenblockade, Wegzoll. Ich habe mich nicht getraut ein Foto zu machen. Der Chauffer meinte ich solle NICHT fragen ob ich ein Foto machen kann, aber es sei alles kein Problem. Die Zapatistas kriegen ihr Geld und wir fahren weiter. Zeitverlust ca. 15 Minuten.

    Unterwegs werden wir dann von der federalen Polizei angehalten (??? Die sollten sich besser um die Zapatistas kümmern welche 25 km vorher standen!!), angeschaut, nach Destination gefragt. Zeitverlust 5 min. Alles gut.

    Die Amerikanerin ist beinahe hysterisch und muss beruhigt werden von ihrem Vater der aber auch schon ganz blass ist. Insgesamt haben wir für die Strecke doppelt solange gebraucht.
    Wir kommen am Flughafen an - wir kriegen den Flug.
    Hätten ich nicht schon vorher über die Praxis der Zapatisten erfahren wäre ich auch tief erblasst.

    Seit dem Rwanda Flug Debakel rechne gebe ich immer grosszügig Zeit für einen Transfer.
    Es muss ein spezifisches ich-fliege-mit-dem-Flugzeug Karma geben. Meines ist GANZ schlecht!    Weiterlesen

  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    The people I met

    22. Februar 2020 in Mexiko ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    I‘m waiting for my flight to Mexico City and Guatemala and I’m reflecting about my experiences in this country. The first thought that crosses my mind is the sheer size, the beauty both off mountains and beach, the big differences in culture, customs, traditions, food, art, architecture from one state to another, and the diversity of people and their kindness and love.
    I tried to reflect upon in my post’s and now I’m wrapping up.
    Being me I always prefer to listen to people stories rather than talking about landmarks.

    ANGEL, Architeckt who’s last name is the same as his GGGG grandfather’s owner.

    HECTOR, networker, fundraiser, an Architect who promotes art in order to empower prisoners and wants to tell the world how amazing the Art in Mexiko is. In March 2020 the first Arts Institute opens in Yucatan. He has been one of the main drivers.

    IGOR, a gifted Artist, a graduate from a New Work Art school, a sensitive and beautiful soul which is very much concerned about his fellow citizens and the world. He advises Hector on his journey.
    I hope he makes it to Basel ART this year. At least he has a place to stay.

    ALBERTO, a psychologist, convicted of 16 years in prison because of a rash decision to kidnap his two children but then brought them back shortly after. In Prison he writes not one but 4 books about his experiences in prison, gets a online degree in counseling and counsels fellow prisoners. Now back in the circle of not-in-confined-spaces-locked-up-people and working. But aren’t we all somehow locked up in thoughts, emotions, patterns, situation, spirit? I think we are.

    ARIANA, lawyer, poet, feminist, traveler, lover of life and Toastmaster addict. Intense, demanding, proud, self reliant, strong, don’t takes shit. Loved her!

    BETO, this crazy multitalented, funny, energetic individual. Soon you will download his App and learn how to play an instrument in very short time! He wants to date my daughter Federica. No chance!!!!!!

    MILENA, digital nomad (Serbia, digital marketing). She has her own business with 26 years, fights for woman’s right and the environment. Avid hiker and nature girl.
    If back in the days the digital nomadism existed - I most certainly would have been one! But in my 20ties Computer for people just became available.

    JONATHAN, A jew from New York City how he likes to calls himself. SO I CAN CALL HIM AS WELL, CAN? Passionate musician/singer and not so passionate programmer. He is this non-judge mental, no-nonsense survivor of the sixties. Amazing individual with endless first hand experienced knowledge about any topic you name.
    He travels alone because his wife does not like to travel. His travel stories are funny and inspiring. But I realized - I’m his age in ten years🤭😳. If I’m lucky I have ten more years to travel. IT IS NOT ENOUGH!!!!!

    Bubbly, energetic SOFIA fromMonterrey, Mexico and her boyfriend Erick.... yes that seems to be a Mexican name.
    Sofia spoke about the problematic situation of her town. It’s on the route of drug trafficking. The point; She, her boyfriend, their families, their friends and friends of friends. She doesn’t know a single soul who has NOT lost somebody very close to them.
    But she also whispered secret stories in my ear, whilst Jonathan and Erick were discussing..... what men discuss.

    And then of course there are my friends MIKE (Russian/Israeli) and OXANNA (Mongolian) . A friendship of likeminded souls. This was only our third encounter, but the first was enough to establish a bond. Digital Nomads (programmer) with 7-year old Alan. They let me generously stay at their place and did not throw me out of the house, even after 15 days! They let me settle into traveling mode, adjust to climate and people, show me around. We could all sit at the dining table in perfect silence, mistreating our computer’s - until we had a dinner cooked by Oxanna. For example Borscht!

    I’m literally in awe of all of you. Passion, courage, determination, inspiration, self-consciousness, bravery, patience and much more defines you. You made trip letting me glimpse into your lives. Thank you for your stories, To trust me with your stories.
    I take with me all of it, they are now part of my own being.
    Claudia    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin
    The gardener
    1My study hall:-)

    Antigua, Guatemala

    24. Februar 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    I arrived in Antigua for my Spanish course at the Institute Maximo Nivel. Lovely building with beautiful garden. They offer a lot of activities. Great Staff! I definitely booked with the right organization.
    I had a entry test to define my language level...... they don’t have a group class for me because I tested advanced🤔😟. I don’t mind to be advanced but I really was looking forward to group classes! So for now I get 4 hours of private classes😯. My brain will smoke.
    I booked a family stay and got a guest house☹️. Will have to negotiate with the organization.
    I got a 9 square meter room onto the street without ventilator and closet. For 50 additional dollar I traded in a double room with ventilator, own water supply and a closet to hang my clothes.
    I’m very happy and look forward to immerse my self in Spanish and improve my language skills.

    Greets from lovely Antigua. Pics will follow.    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Streets in Antigua

    1. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Really to me they look all pretty much the same. As usual the one in the center are cared for and groomed, others just left like they are. The cobblestones and sidewalk are even worse than in San Cristobal de las Casas. I fell twice🙄. Colonial, one story houses. I like it.
    .    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin
    1Courtyard MacDonaldsMy bestie RonaldMacDonald!

    Courtyards

    1. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Many restaurants have beautiful, shady courtyards. Perfect to study. In the touristic center the prices are quite high, but just outside of it they are reasonable.. (for my budget).About three to four Sfr.
    The movie you see is the courtyard of Macdonalds!    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Historic buildings&an all white wedding

    1. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    I came across a wedding in the yellow church white ornaments. I decided to look at all the hairdos, makeup, clutches, dresses, shoes. Everything very beautiful. Shoes... not so much emphasis on shoes for them.
    At one point I realized that there was not one person with indigenous features. An all white wedding. All very Spanish-Upperclass-looking. Then one exception came in; The nanny of a couple with a baby.
    No better places to observe segregation than in a wedding....
    We have been taught we should not say Mayan anymore but indigenous - political correctness.    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin
    1

    Public buses

    1. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Even the buses are colorful! The Americans sold their school buses to them.They could have donated them, could they?

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    My home

    1. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    A lot is going on in my home. The owner of this place also own several restaurants and a hotel.
    On Saturday’s and Sundays they cook food for Sunday’s buffet in one of the restaurants.
    The parrot, his name is Paca, sometimes has psychotic attacks. Either he goes round in the cage or he locks one wing and moves the other like crazy.
    He is very moody. Sometimes when you come home he greets you with “Hola”, sometimes not. When you talk to him he makes a sounds which definitely sounds like he is laughing at you.
    I wanted to give him a seed and he bit me in the finger.
    Stupidissimo parrot.
    The girls are all studying or volunteering with Maximo Nivel. We are having a good time and we are planing trips together.    Weiterlesen

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    Exposition and artesan market

    1. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The little artwork in metal you see exposed are rings. It always amaze me how they can craft arty, tiny objects which have an expression.
    The fabric as the indigenous weave vary from region to region in colors and pattern. Just so beautiful. Color, color, color!
    In pre-colonial times they shaped molds in order to be able to mass produce objects!    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Weekend/Sunset

    7. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    I did not apply any filter to these pic. The sunset was just one amazing experience!!
    After a stressful😎 week of studying we decided at take break over the weekend. Mangiri found this gorgeous place on the pacific coast of Guatemala called Las Lisas. A Belgian guy who runs this EcoHotel since 2005 has made a paradise of it. There were only fife things one could do;
    1. Sleeping
    2. Hammoking
    3. Eating
    4. Drinking
    5. Swimming in the sea or river or pool

    We all really wanted to study, but there was Internet!
    Where we stayed the River was about to flow into the sea. It was a weird feeling. The looked like it was flowing downwards towards to sea but when I entered the underlying current would push me upwards. Later when the tide was high. The whole river seemed to flow upwards because of the sea pushing the water land inwards.
    The water bot in the sea and the river was very pleasant.    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Weekend/turtles

    7. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    The owner of the hotels safes turtles. When the turtles hatches he and a bunch of other people bring them into safe places and when it’s time to go he set’s them free. This because otherwise the turtles get eaten by a variety of animals, mainly birds. Only 10% of then survive😢Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Pictures

    14. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    My schools offer a free photo walk tour in Antigua with a photographer. He gives basic tips on how to compose a background and a pictures. We a great time and shot few pictures.
    It’s amazing how with just basic knowledge your pics get better!Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Guatemala and the mean virus

    14. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Julia (my niece) called me at 6.30am my time🙄. Ohh😳, sorry I did not think it were so many hours🤔. However, she just called to make sure I was a fine🥰.
    Federica called me yesterday: “Mom, you have to come home!”
    Julia repeated the word Armageddon about 45 times. The pictures and videos from Europe are weird and eerie to us here here in Central- and South America. Daily life continue as ever, but feelings of anxiety, unease and insecurity grow.

    Since the Central- and South Americans countries lack in resources in the health system, they are really afraid of the virus, it could crash a whole country like Guatemala.

    Firstly it’s gonna spread really fast because of the almost total lack of hygiene in the little villages, which I have witnessed first hand. The hospitals would not be able to cope, people would die in the hundreds and thousands.
    Secondly because for Guatemala tourism it’s very important factor. If that goes, and it will since the latest measurements taken, there will be an economic crisis which will leave a poor country even poorer. Almost 70% of the population are below 30 and most of them don’t have jobs.

    So the government started to take measurements. As of Monday no American and no European can enter Guatemala. Until then passengers coming in will be sent in quarantine for 8 days. Which is random number because science does not yet know how long it takes for the illness the break out. The prevention efforts seem to be drastic but looking at the above mention consequences it is totally necessary.

    The Maximo institute in Peru (partner school) will close because the government closed all school. Students here start to change plans and there is a lot of confusion among the European students because their flights go thru different countries.
    I hope my school here in Antigua won’t close, I still have two weeks to go and I’m loving it.

    On the 1. April I have a rendezvous with my godchild Mara in Bogota. We want to travel Colombia for three weeks. Not sure if that is gonna happen....

    I allowed myself one tiny-corona-panic-attack since I’m a at risk person. I bought a thermometer to monitor myself😷🤒.

    The Spanish media released a list with movies to watch because the government apparently issued a order to stay home. For all of you woh now spends a lot of time at home.
    https://www.elmundo.es/cultura/cine/2020/03/14/…

    Since I think for now traveling back home be would be far more dangerous than staying put, I stay here. Guatemala so far has one confirmed case.
    Although we all think there are more because many people can’t afford to go to the doctor and the testing kit is expensive. But also many people in the villages don’t want to go to the doctor because they use their traditional doctors. Many of them don’t read newspaper. Either because they cannot read or because they don’t/can’t buy. And Internet is often not available.
    Guatemala is strongly catholic so I hope that the church will do information and prevention work.    Weiterlesen

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  • NomadinMexico, Guatemala - full stopNomadin

    Vigilantism because of THE virus

    16. März 2020 in Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Here is the story.
    Last Friday a plane came in from Mexico. Aboard were locals and foreigners. One Italian was tested positive, has been communicated and put into quarantine. The Guatemalan official took phone numbers and addresses of the passengers. They put 80 people in quarantine by calling them when they learned about the Italian. One passenger from Ohio, USA refused to collaborate. The authority out his picture on facebook. People recognized him and started to follow and push him around. They took him to the police station.
    About 8 people of this flight are still missing.
    The government uses the phone of the people to track them.

    To me scary things are going on here. Of course on one side I’m happy the government takes such measures to protect the Guatemalan people. On the other hand my civil right heart is one alert.
    Some of the Central- and most of South American countries are not doing well economically.
    I’m afraid that countries activate military law to best contain the virus and control the people.

    But what if once the crisis is over they won’t give the power back?

    In the meanwhile in Guatemala there are 6 confirmed cases and about 300 person that might carry the virus.

    The government told the Guatemalan to not party at the beach. What do they do? A big group parties at the beach???

    As in Europe everything is shutting down. When we went to the institute today the streets were much less crowded. Less cars, less people.    Weiterlesen

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