2019: Guatemala

1-20-19.  Hotel Quetzalroo, Guatemala City

• Back in Guatemala after a short visit to Punta Mita to attend the Homeowners Meeting.

• Feeling punk - spent whole day just reading, watching downloads, and resting.  No food!

Jan 21, 2019.  Hotel Quetzalroo, Guatemala City

Another down day.  Again, no food! 

Jan 22, 2019.  Posada San Pablo, Rabinal, Guatemala 

• Decided at the last minute to head for Rabinal and it’s annual fiesta instead of moving on to El Salvador.  Four buses (Guatemala City > La Cumbre > Salamá > Rabinal), each progressively less comfortable, with the final Salamá > Rabinal a real killer.  Tried some food in the market, but it was pretty awful.  Still, I’m feeling a bit better.  

• Tomorrow is the Rabinal Achi performance, re-enacting a battle between the Achi and K’iche’ tribes - at least I hope so.  Not much evidence of anything special coming...  It has been bestowed UNESCO World Heritage recognition.  Tiny room one block from center, but clean and quiet - and $10.  Went to bed around 8, took a full Ambien for first time, and slept for 12 hours.

Jan 23, 2019.  Posada San Pablo, Rabinal, Guatemala 

• Breakfast at a cafe around the corner - eggs, beans, coffee.  Ate about half , with some effort.  Still have upset stomach and no hunger.  Parade at 9, from the cemetery to the town center.  Great costumes, 3- and 4-man marimbas, lots of speechifying at the end, much in K’iche.  And lots of photos.  Back to rest this afternoon, then hopefully the Rabinal Achi performance.

• More costumed dancers in the streets.  The market is in full swing, and huge.  No tourists, no tourist goods.  Still off my feed: only a coke and some Pringles so far.  Back for a rest, then returned to center for a hot ponche (milk, alcohol, cinnamon) while the stage is being set up.  It’s 7:30 PM, and  the night is young.  Gorgeous outfits, multi -colored, striped, embroidered with jewels and sparkles, for young and old - but nothing special for the men, just U.S. knockoffs.