You’ve had your slices of pie, now here’s a slice of each of the 3 countries I visited over Thanksgiving break:
Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras and the homicide capital of the world in 2013. Known for baleadas (a delicious egg and cheese and plantain dish inside a tortilla) and colonial architecture. Also home to the world’s deadliest airport due to a sharp turn to avoid mountains coming in and a very short landing strip.
Playa El Tunco, El Salvador is where the elite of El Salvador spend their weekends. By day it is a surfing hot spot. By night it’s full of beach clubs and mosquitos. I wouldn’t know though, because I was in bed by 9 to wake up to surf!
Antigua, Guatemala is the former capital of Guatemala. The city is surrounded by volcanoes and is home to Mayans, cowboys, and myriad taquerias.
Atitlan, Guatemala is a huge lake also surrounded by volcanoes. The hostel I stayed at (where this photo was taken) offered no wifi, no electricity, and attracts some of the best folks I’ve met while traveling. We had family style meals and spent our days hiking around the lake- over volcanoes and through forests, from village to village.
I was in a market in Panajachel, Guatemala and this guy had a hand me down ISU shirt. I couldn’t resist a photo!
Hiking from village to village on Atitlan takes several hours. The alternative is a boat ride which costs anywhere from 50¢ to $1.50. I shared a freezing cold hostel dorm, hikes, meals, and a chicken bus ride with these two- a South African and an Israeli.
Notes to self for my next trip:
– Check the weather before you go. Just because Guatemala is South of Florida doesn’t mean it’s warmer. Mountains. Are. Cold.
– Bring Tylenol and Emergen-C. The two day flu sucks worse when you’re not at home, and drugs might help alleviate the discomfort.
– You packed just the right amount. Less baggage wins every time. 2 shorts, 2 tank tops, several underwear, one dress, several socks, one sweater, one sandals one shoes is the perfect amount of clothing for 10 days. Good job bringing sunscreen, too! I heard from almost everyone that they only wish they had less to carry.