Guatemala – Por Que No? (Why not?) – Non Standard Deviations

Travel credit due to COVID and ‘life’ events requiring rescheduling? Check.✅

A chance to explore a country I knew practically nothing about? Double-check. ✅✅

And an opportunity for Bryan to show off his Spanish skills? Oh, absolutely! 😍

What I Knew We Were In For…

Hiking, a lake, something about a volcano or two, and time for just the two of us. Sounds like a blissful escape, right?

What I Loved

The scenery – Vibrant colored buildings and clothes with a backdrop of Volcanic mountains everywhere you looked. Seriously, it was like an abstract oil painting that had come to life with exploding color and mountains. Oh and the icing on the cake, there were friendly dogs everywhere we went. Definitely made me miss Porter, but it was great to have some canine companionship for a while.

The challenge of summiting Acatenango in the dark to catch the sunrise from the top. There’s nothing quite like questioning your life choices as you lie shivering on the side of a mountain in a sleeping bag designed for the tropics, only to “wake up” (I was awake all night) at 3 AM for more hiking. But the reward? A breathtaking sunrise framed by an erupting volcano (in the distance) that makes you momentarily forget your legs are jelly and the descent ahead is long. I’m torn between whether the stunning sunrise or the campfire dinner overlooking the erupting volcano was the highlight. Either way, it’s an experience that’s both unforgettable and one I don’t want to repeat anytime soon.

Being reminded of how incredibly fortunate/lucky we are to have grown up with so much opportunity. This trip really hit home just how much we take for granted. Despite being a poor country, it felt safe and very welcoming. One of my favorite experiences was stopping to buy wild mushrooms from rural farming girls on the side of the road on our way to Lake Atitlan. Then after a short bike ride stopping off to cook them at a picnic shelter on a camping stove. ‘

Kayaking on Lake Atitlan surrounded by mountains. Picture this: serene waters, majestic mountains, and the occasional “Don’t worry Bryan, I will start paddling again soon.” Got to love a double kayak.😜 Pure magic!

What I Would Have Changed

Our guide – disorganized and a bit of an Eeyore. We had much more fun when it was just the two of us. Note to self: next time, consider more self-guided tours.
Food was on average very average. Maybe it’s different for meat eaters, but for us, it was more “meh” than “mmm.” We were careful about what we ate and managed to avoid food poisoning, but in general, the flavors were bland. However, two exceptions that provided relief from the monotony:
- Montagu – It felt like we were eating in a friend’s kitchen, sitting at the bar while the owners prepared a delicious made from scratch dinner.
- Samsara – Vegetarian restaurant open since 2014, bursting with flavor and friendly staff
More time kayaking. Definitely could have spent a full day or a couple half days exploring Lake Atitlan via kayak, especially with Bryan doing most of the work. More time on the Lake in general would have been great.

In the end, Guatemala, you surprised me. Despite the hiccups, it was an adventure I wouldn’t trade for anything. Bryan’s Spanish skills? Well, honestly, he “mucho gusto” with his overconfident Spanish occasionally augmented by hand gestures, tone and a lot of laughter. Por que no, indeed!