Guatemala City for a few days shopping
AJAYA'S CRUISE
Phil & Nikki Hoskins
Wed 3 Aug 2011 18:29
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Guatemala city, the nation's capital and largest city in the
Central Americas, sprawls across a large valley and is divided into 22
zones. Like Antigua it's high up and has a pleasant climate all year round.
There are four volcanoes in sight from the city, two being active, as well as
the regular occurrence of earth tremors and mudslides. The last major earthquake
was in 1976.
 
Government buildings and the Cathedral in
the historic district
There is no metro (underground) system of transport so buses
and taxis and legs are the way to get around. We were
taken straight to our hotel by our private taxi from Antigua which avoided
another visit to the bus station in historic Zone 1, considered one of the less
friendly areas in some guide books, although as previously mentioned the
Litegua bus station does have guards. We dropped a young Aussie couple off at
the airport first as they were heading off to Cancun Mexico on the next leg of
their holiday.
 
The large square had an eastern block feel to
it
'The City' has an awful reputation amongst travellers although
much useful information is available on the internet as to which zones are
considered 'safe' and which are 'unsafe'. In our experience those two words
are heavily influenced by your own actions wherever you travel and to be
honest if you took advice on what some people spout on the internet you
would never leave your home town. But there are some
areas of Guatemala City that have no place in any tourist itinerary unless
you are completely stupid. Anyone contemplating a visit would be well
advised to follow the time honoured rules of travel, take a good
up to date guide book and perhaps seek some local advice from the tourist
office on arrival.
Whilst not exactly eagerly anticipating our few days there
especially after three great days in Antigua we encountered no
problems. We stayed in the Biltmore Express Hotel in Zone 10 which is very much
in the cultural, commercial and airport area where there is lots of
tourism, high end hotels, bars and restaurants. The Biltmore was fine,
the room excellent value with satellite TV in each room - we even
watched 'Little Britain' one evening. We'll particularly remember
breakfast time there as being unable to get the electric toaster to toast
both sides of a piece of bread at a time!
We walked out at night as a group, didn't stay out
late, dressed down and took taxis when walking was too far to
contemplate. The only time we re-visited Zone 1,
apart from getting our bus back to the Rio Dulce, was to tour the busy market
area and cathedral as a foursome. We encountered no problems - in fact most
we met were quite friendly - of course many are trying to sell you
something but we enjoyed the experience and felt reasonably secure in the
crowds. But it certainly wouldn't be an area for gallivanting around in
at night.
   All too much for the fellows- we needed liquid
relief although we resisted the temptation to eat in the market, food
looked good BUT you'd need a cast-iron stomach - these very small
crabs were trussed up ready for the
pot !
 This
lady wasn't a fruit basket - she was a snack carrier!
 
Not often you see shrimp being sold next to
vegetables? recognise
any of these? Rambutans on the left , deep purple Miracle Fruit on the right,
with star fruits, guavas and grapes in the
background. When we weren't touring the shopping malls in Zone 10 (in
which we secured a real bargain buy - 2 swimsuits for the Admiral and 4
colourful pairs of long shorts for the skipper - all for Q163 or £13.50) we
were visiting Pricesmart and Wal-Mart which were a short distance away by
taxi. It was in Pricesmart that Phil became fixated on the
contents of a shopping trolley under the control of two Nuns -
after all you don't see them shopping that often. They were in there quite a
while but their final tally in a huge trolley was two large bags of
marshmallows and a pair of oven ready chickens. Hmm
In between the shopping we continued to practice the ancient
art of filling one's belly. As in Antigua we did eat very well. At an
eagerly anticipated visit to a Sushi Bar 'The Admiral' (now completely
and utterly 'persona non grata' within the Veggie
Society) ordered a natty plate of raw fish that looked to have come
straight from the bakery department at Waitrose! But it did look nice. Phil
mainly scorned the raw stuff except for some late minesweeping activities and
tackled as his main dish some medium cooked cow and veg.
  Eyes
bigger than bellies !! The full
sushi
Wouldn't have eaten this stuff a few years ago eh
Admiral?
On the Sunday morning we took taxi's to the Litegua station
for our 0900 ride back to the Rio Dulce. Our weeks 'holiday' away from the heat
and humidity of the Rio was over. Special thanks for their companionship go to
our four 'partners in crime' with special mention to Kent and Faye for making
all the arrangements.
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