Day: April 19, 2012

Why I Love Guatemala

Brendan Scott

Where is the land of enchantment?  No, it’s not New Mexico.  You have to south of the boarder.  Okay, a little farther south.  That’s right, Guatemala is the real land of enchantment.  Okay, maybe not all of Guatemala is that enchanting.  But no other country, outside of the good’ol U.S.A., has my heart like Guatemala.

Do you heart Antigua?

So why do I love Guatemala?  What follows is my top five reasons I love Guatemala and think it is a great travel destination and even more so an amazing place to live.

1. All of the gigantic volcanoes, whether they are erupting or just challenging me to hike or photograph, I love them.

El Fuego sits behind the volcano of Acatenango. I enjoyed watching it spout smoke from my safe rooftop in Antigua.
Even on a clear day in Xela a cloud loves to hang around the massive Santa Maria.

2. The Colonial Cathedrals.  I love old buildings and well, these ones have stood the test of time.

This Cathedral was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake.
Some lucky couple was getting married the night I took this picture.
Nun's who couldn't live in the real world would use the archway to pass over the street. Or so I was told.

3. The Amazing Coffee.  Err, I mean how everyone loves Guatemalan Coffee. (Everyone but me)

Before it's picked, dried, and roasted, it's sweet.
I know coffee lovers love these.
Coffee being processed forCafé Tranquilidad

4. The craftsmanship, be it food or a hand-knit blanket, Guatemalans can make some beautiful goods.  Cuidado!  Be careful where you eat, ’cause you want to take the beautiful hand-made scarf home with you, not amoebas.

Found these at the store. I'd never had them before. Jury is still out.
I love those colors!
The Market in Antigua.

5.  Most of all Guatemalan’s have passion, which makes me love them right back.  If you travel to Guatemala you will find that the rich and the poor, both have huge hearts.  Their genuine way of life makes them extremely beautiful.

The Chivos Fans Love Their team!
They Love Each Other.
Can't you tell she's got a big heart?
Will it stand?
Love's in her eyes.
They love being noobs!
Me and my spanish teacher.

I hope someday that everyone will be able to travel down to Guatemala and come up with their own list for why they love Guatemala.  It is an adventure, but be careful you just might be enchanted!