10 things you should know....?

Question

What are 10 things you should know about Guatemala??

Answer 1

1. Nice people!

2.  Different weathers

3. Good attention for tourists

4. Wonderful landscapes

5. Prices at the reach of anyone

6. Too many thieves  : P

7. Interesting History

8. Carlitos Peña! The winner for Latin American Idol

9. Internet everywhere

10. Delicious food!!!!!!!

Answer 2

1. beautiful

2. great food

3. unexpensive

4. Antigua

5. Tikal - mayas

Answer 3

1.  Don't drink the water.

2.  Bring Pepto Bismol (the Pink Slipper as we call it).

3.  Bring Black Walnut Husk pills.  They kill parasites.  Take one each day a week before your trip, take one every day on your trip, and take one each day for two weeks after your trip and you should be good.

4.  Go see the pyramids of Tikal.  Stay either at the hotel on property or stay in Flores.  

5.  If you're white, prices are higher for you, if not doubled.  If you're a missionary, they go up even higher in some areas (many don't like people pushing their religious beliefs on them).

6.  Learn how to barter.  Especially at the local markets.  Don't worry about ripping them off.  See number five.  You'll still pay more than a local.

7.  I'd trust a thief before I'd trust a cop.  They're awful in Guatemala.  Avoid them whenever possible.  You may find that you violate many laws that don't exist, but there's a price on them anyway (luckily cops don't take much to turn the other way).

8.  The people generally are incredible loving.  Be sure to give them hugs and kisses.  Otherwise you will come across as an arrogant tourist.  Many have nothing, but still try and give everything away.  Many would do anything for you, and they ask for nothing in return.  There's not enough good things I can say about them.

9.  The city of Antigua is awesome.  It smells bad at times but you will meet people from all around the world and it is much safer than most cities in the country.

10.  Don't eat food from the street vendors.  You tell me where they wash their hands.  

...and more...

11.  Public toilets are so awful that cockroaches are scared to go there.

12.  Food and travel are incredibly cheap.  I once had a full breakfast for 20 cents (in dollars).

13.  You really shouldn't give money to most beggars.  I see a guy with no legs, I give him some money.  However, just take change out of your pocket.  A thief is often trying to do whatever it takes to see where you keep your money and how much you have.  Many little children are actually made to look poor and pitiful.  After you give that kid some money he gives it to his father, uncle, or whoever he's working for.  He will tell him what valuables you have on you and how much money you have on you.  It won't take long for you to get robbed.

14.  Don't wear jewelry or expensive watches.

15.  Rigoberta Menchu is a worldwide icon and 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner from Guatemala.  Her party is still trying to win the presidency.

16.  Guatemala is one of the most violent countries in the world, especially against women.  For some reason it hasn't received much media attention about this.

17.  If you don't like beans, eggs, plantains, goat cheese (or similar cheeses), or tortillas... you're screwed.  That's the typical meal in Guatemala.  I got used to it fast and today I still make plantains and homemade tortillas.

18.  Be careful about speaking to little children.  Some small towns still hear rumors about Americans and Europeans abducting children.  In one famous case, a woman was arrested... for her own safety.  The townspeople overran the police and broke into the prison and beat the woman into a vegetable.  It was awful.

19.  Their passion fruit is some of the best I have ever had.  It's awesome!!!

20. Most are Catholic.  It's almost impossible to travel through big cities during Easter (although it's an awesome sight to see.)  I was in Guatemala when Pope John Paul II was there.  Getting to Antigua (where he was at) was easy.  No one was leaving that town.  So getting a cab or bus out of town wasn't going to happen.

...I have so much I could say about the country.  Despite all of the negatives, I did enjoy it there.  Especially the climate.  In some of the mountain towns it was like spring every day.