A few blocks away from us, perched up on a hill overlooking downtown is Fort Saint John, now housing a military museum. Hard to get too excited about military history in a place that is still pretty freshly recovering from a civil war, but history is history, and the perch from the top of the fort gave us a nice lookout over town.
We were the only people there, so while walking around a General (?) came along and introduced himself and showed us around a bit. He opened up the Huey, compliments of the U.S. via Vietnam, for the kids to climb around in. Have to say, I had no idea these were so small.
After spending so much time in these countries, when I go back to the States it always strikes me as a little odd that we don’t use motorcycles more—especially in big cities.
I don’t know where Bryan Chevy Town is, or why they were allowed to stamp bumpers like this, but it’s clear this has been a good truck that has gotten its mileage in.
This guy wasn’t sure why I was standing around on the corner taking pictures, so he came up to keep an eye on me. When I turned the camera on him I got off one picture before he turned and walked back down the street.
This was on the opposite corner.
The mini market around the corner from us. Love the colors in the afternoon sun.
17 Comments on “Guatemala City Wandering”
Years ago I bought a few cases of Moza beer at a salvage place and found it to be one of the best lagers I ever tasted.
Never have been able to find it again. It’s made in Guatemala. I’d be curious to get an IPA guy’s opinion of it.
I actually hadn’t tried that one. So I remedied that at dinner tonight, on tap no less. Very nice—I’ll be doing that again soon. 🙂 I can only drink IPAs north of the border in the cooler climates. Once south I’m content with a cold “water” beer most of the time. Gallo in Guatemala. Salva Vida in Honduras. Pacifico or Tecate in Mexico. And what the heck does buying beer at a salvage place even mean?
Loving the photos!
As you know, coming from Saint Paul, motorcycles are only a “seasonal” opportunity in most of the US cities. Those little e-scooters are showing up everywhere now in Minneapolis.
Good point. I suppose that is true for a good chunk of the States. I’ve gotten too accustomed to nice weather. 🙂
Bryan Chevrolet is in Metarie, Louisiana, probably where the truck was first sold. The bumper was from the days when bumpers were an option on pick-ups, and the local dealer could put their own bumpers on.
The stories that old truck could tell, in its journey from Louisiana to Guatemala!
Right? Thanks for the investigative work, George!
Been a motorcyclist since I was 17; 57 now. Always good parking in cities, cheap to keep. More fun that cars – most of the time.
OMG pat, you took a picture of someone using a public telephone, and it looks like it even works!!!
I’ve been absolutely fascinated by this fact during our entire visit. Everywhere you look is a payphone, in good shape, being used, for only .25Q (~4 cents).
I really like the photo of the military person, very nice, too bad you couldn’t track him down later and give him a print out .
I’ve been impressed with your blog and slowly been trying to convince the wife to jump into a similar adventure for awhile! I’ve spent some time in Guatemala at various points in my life and would say in general it’s a magical place. Any plan to visit Lake Atitlan or Semuc Champey before you head out on your boat again? You won’t be disappointed if you do! Thanks for a great and inspiring blog as well!
We’ve been to both in the past. Always fun for us to see things through fresh eyes, though. https://www.bumfuzzle.com/bumfuzzle-november-2008/
When a truck is in an “incident”, there are companies that come in and empty the truck of its cargo so the wreck can be picked up. Sometimes the cargo is transloaded and delivered but a lot of times the cargo is written off and sold to a salvage dealer who will sort and segregate useable from not amd sell what they can.
It is a hard business from a lot of angles but it done well can be rather profitable.
Motorcyclist here, and I applaud your observation – yes, we need more riders. Motorcycles are fuel efficient, easy to park, and I can promise one thing: you will see and feel the world differently than folks in cars or “cages”.
What a nice photo of what looks like a banker in a very expensive suite and the girl in her pretty hulpil.
Love the graffiti. Some of the most exciting art comes from the walls of the inner city.