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Feb - Mar 2002: My friend Priscilla and I took a trip to Guatemala (and briefly into Honduras).

Guatemala, week 2

Jennifer Radcliffe
2005-11-11 11:39:50

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Montezuma's Revenge on Lago de Atitlan
I'm not well today. Got a case of Montezuma's revenge last night and was violently ill. Today is better but I'm still very shaky and feeling weak. At this moment I really want to be at home in my bed, with my kitties keeping my feet warm and my sweet boyfriend taking care of me. Boo hoo. :(

**For those of you who are in or who are planning to be in Panajachel, DO NOT eat at the restaurant right on the lake at the end of Santander Calle in Pana. It looks very nice and has a great view, but I ate some guacamole there and became very ill later that night. Since then, I've heard from other people that it has a reputation for uncleanliness. I'd advise against eating there unless you know your stomach can handle the microbe invasion!

On a more positive note, Lake Atitlan is exceptionally beautiful. It was formed by a volcanic crater, and it's surrounded by 3 volcanoes and hills on all sides. It's easy to catch a boat to any of the 12 villages around the lake from any other town on the lake. We wanted to rent bicycles for the day and bike around it, taking in the splendour of the scenic excesses as we went.... but at this rate, I'll be lucky if I survive the boat ride back to Pana without losing my lunch. Ay, comida mala!

Procession in Antigua

Today is Sunday, which means there is a procession today. Processions are fascinating occurrences. Here is an excerpt from my guidebook: "Teams of penitants wearing peaked hoods and accompanied by solemn dirges and clouds of incense carry images of Christ and the cross on massive platforms. It is a great honor to be involved in the procession but it is no easy task as the great cedar block carried weighs some 35 tons, and needs 80 men to lift it. Some of the images displayed date from the 17th century and the procession itself is thought to have been introduced by Alvarado in the early years of the conquest, imported directly from Spain." (Rough Guide to Guatemala, 1999)