When travelling Guatemala one has to think twice on where to go and how to get there. For this very reason I have changed my plan for few times already. Not only that I had no idea what to visit in this rather unknown country, but it is sometimes really challenging to go places.
It was Sunday when I was departing Xela. My friend Jovani told me to save some time and catch the bus from local McDonald's from outside the city center instead of trying to get to the bus station. It all sounded easy so I gave it a try. The bus was really departing from there, but it wasn't a direct one. This is in fact quite a common practice here. In this case I had to change four buses to cover something like 100 km. Sunday is always a day of the walking dead here. Many drunks are still awake and "alive" in the morning hours and they are quite an attraction to look at. One of them - although in much better condition than the others - accompanied me on my way. He spoke English and shared some stories from the USA with me.
After few hours I have finally reached Huehue - the last place I planned to visit while in Guatemala...
In Huehue there is only one hostel so my destiny was clear. I have checked into El Marquesote. Its owner Carlos welcomed me with cafe and we started a conversation with another guest from Denmark.
Before we could realize it was afternoon and we have spent the whole day surrounding a kitchen table. It was time to move on I thought. But I had no idea what to do or where to go in this rather unknown city. However Carlos had a plan. There was supposed to be a local protest against the corrupt government. That sounded cool to me. Better than to rush outside of the city to visit what seems to be a pyramid site.
So we got ready and "armed" with a camera and exciting mood we have marched towards the center square.
I was expecting rather violent event but pretty early on it was obvious that it is not going to be the case. What was one of the biggest "manifestaciones" Carlos remembers looked more like a free walking tour in some European capital. Actually now thinking about it - why does E-Union have its sign in the center of the local square?
After we have expressed our political views on this small protest it was time to grab some food. A little courtyard restaurant was serving Tostados - a sort of tacos which are toasted for longer and hence are very crunchy. Five Quetzals for one was a lovely treat.
Afterwards Carlos had to leave due to arrival of another guest and me and Christian - the Danish fella went on checking the Minerva temple - one of the few attractions that Huehue has to offer.
From the top of the hill where Minerva temple is located was great view of Huehue. Some say it is the sketchy part of town. It might well be. The streets are dirty and full of stray dogs. People also looked a bit weird at us... "What are these two gringos doing here?" must have been going on in their heads. We were really the only tourists in town. What a nice privilege!
All the best,
Global Local