tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60795114871568998272024-03-12T23:12:55.445-07:00my ramblingsRamblings about my travels in Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador and wherever else my heart takes mermusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-60859011389835728832009-08-21T12:49:00.000-07:002009-08-21T12:52:52.396-07:00day 1 - wisconsinI plan to "map" my road trip by days so that I have a record - because for sure I'll lose my maps<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=2002+14th+St,+Two+Rivers,+WI+54241&daddr=Memorial+Dr+to:County+Rd+JJ+to:44.076487,-87.912941+to:potter+wi+to:E+Lake+St+to:County+Rd+H+to:County+Rd+C+to:marytown+wi+to:State+Rd+149%2FWI-149+to:US-151+to:princeton+wi+to:nekoosa+wi+to:Prospect+Ave%2FWI-73+to:WI-54+W+to:44.489648,-90.365982+to:436+Broadway+St,+Eau+Claire,+WI+54703&geocode=%3BFaIKoQIdeK3G-g%3BFbTQoAIdnvPD-g%3B%3B%3BFaB7oAIdoLK8-g%3BFUXsngIdSaG8-g%3BFQe6ngIdiiq9-g%3B%3BFTLZnAIdTO28-g%3BFf4rnAIdJBy7-g%3B%3B%3BFVRapAIdqGOk-g%3BFeDIpAIdNGai-g%3BFbDbpgId4h-d-g%3B&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=12&via=1,2,3,5,6,7,9,10,13,14,15&dirflg=h&sll=44.099174,-87.890625&sspn=0.138316,0.190544&ie=UTF8&ll=44.237328,-89.494629&spn=2.207797,5.141602&z=8">Home to Eau Claire</a></span></span></div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-40752830888688789872009-08-18T17:56:00.000-07:002009-08-18T18:10:24.546-07:00cocktails at 3pmWe are in South Dakota continuing our brew tour. The middle of SD has no brew pubs so we had to improvise.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqfo99eXAhVNeVgFjfgwMXmC9WQEv7QOmrlCMZOIbCwy6do36io8CEtOdThyphenhypheny9htON0Qdc1PxI5RbRsnNwUXV3FolDYmxpLD35U6F0H_uNCCe16wAGFaiaX4u_eEQs4HM0KxcMSngCzP6/s1600-h/IMG_0986.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqfo99eXAhVNeVgFjfgwMXmC9WQEv7QOmrlCMZOIbCwy6do36io8CEtOdThyphenhypheny9htON0Qdc1PxI5RbRsnNwUXV3FolDYmxpLD35U6F0H_uNCCe16wAGFaiaX4u_eEQs4HM0KxcMSngCzP6/s200/IMG_0986.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371475259802741362" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsyv7MT7FmlctoH8z-xparj0zTsTyGRk7RL8wgrV0rU4nHsB54IjImrpxMyWQiC-nliytsdX_ETgDMwKtQp3nueU8E7ZPL2jrGEyHw33Jnw74ZSgk8ysPNKbLDZ_aD6qzoLBsd4OCZffF/s1600-h/IMG_0990.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsyv7MT7FmlctoH8z-xparj0zTsTyGRk7RL8wgrV0rU4nHsB54IjImrpxMyWQiC-nliytsdX_ETgDMwKtQp3nueU8E7ZPL2jrGEyHw33Jnw74ZSgk8ysPNKbLDZ_aD6qzoLBsd4OCZffF/s200/IMG_0990.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371475253252102210" /></a>We were in the middle of nowhere - </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPw8q1sN7Egk1BchsRGjQmiTuEi24qd-1KRPCEH_1V4frDCP3RA6506sz3eKthbD5Ar9pvHRySuUIHIMQdEKNhbZIFg_l7i8U_NsdgoSKGvNqU9OihZqZW-CyjIo9cTD1NREx8JRiJQJ2/s1600-h/P1060412.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPw8q1sN7Egk1BchsRGjQmiTuEi24qd-1KRPCEH_1V4frDCP3RA6506sz3eKthbD5Ar9pvHRySuUIHIMQdEKNhbZIFg_l7i8U_NsdgoSKGvNqU9OihZqZW-CyjIo9cTD1NREx8JRiJQJ2/s200/P1060412.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371473831644876194" /></a>Dr. Deb </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-81874186403090546222009-08-16T07:04:00.001-07:002009-08-16T07:06:36.860-07:00arizonal pics<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://s851.photobucket.com/albums/ab76/rmuskett/arizona/">http://s851.photobucket.com/albums/ab76/rmuskett/arizona/</a></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;font-size:10px;"><br /></span></span></div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-47883513027559126712009-08-15T20:55:00.000-07:002009-08-15T21:20:25.496-07:00political correctness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvTIiNDRDb0jdrgzjycjlZNu3yFuCJDgC-YnlSmHVI1m-j_jP-aS971UdnCGAMdEB1u8Yp-0SIlUEaOPehAtDD5LTJ0-aXWCKEpnJOmx0cMuIoZtq8ACbpJgiQWVMa3YPah93OlgwWv_I/s1600-h/P1060292.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvTIiNDRDb0jdrgzjycjlZNu3yFuCJDgC-YnlSmHVI1m-j_jP-aS971UdnCGAMdEB1u8Yp-0SIlUEaOPehAtDD5LTJ0-aXWCKEpnJOmx0cMuIoZtq8ACbpJgiQWVMa3YPah93OlgwWv_I/s200/P1060292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370409527635708610" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />What the hell? <div>I don't necessarily understand what is and what is not appropriate. For example, why did Marquette change from the Warriors to the Golden Pigeons (or whatever the hell they are) - I mean how can a "warrior" be politically incorrect? - So here I am cruising thru the Navajo Reservation and what do I see? The Red Mesa Redskins? What could be the most politically insensitive word for a school district to use? I would have thought "redskin" would be it - <div>I don't get it -<br /></div></div></div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-89383307929870003272009-08-15T20:43:00.000-07:002009-08-15T20:55:12.322-07:00flagstaff to farmington nmWe had to mail stuff so went out looking for the UPS store - didn't find it but found the fed-ex store and mailed my stuff. We then went to staples to find a tube to mail my contraband to my friend David (enjoy my friend) and then found the UPS store and mailed the other "stuff".<div><br /></div><div>We then booked out of Flagstaff and headed towards Farmington NM. The scenery was unbelievable. It changed rapidily. I will try and post pictures later.</div><div><br /></div><div>We ended up in Farmington - headed towards the downtown hoping to find a motel near restaraunts and bars and holy shit what did we find? Thats right the three rivers brewery - yep good beer. <a href="http://www.threeriversbrewery.com/">http://www.threeriversbrewery.com/</a> - hell great beer. We ate dinner and drank (Deb drank wine) and then headed back to the motel (2 short blocks - we walked).</div><div><br /></div><div>In New Mexico the beer bars must close by 11pm. All they sold was beer and wine (and only their beer) but they still are a "beer" bar - sort of like when we lived in Kansas - but that wasn't real beer - 3.2 beer.</div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-7084843032622283082009-08-15T20:24:00.000-07:002009-08-15T20:43:41.130-07:00finishing the day from hellor was it two days?<div>I got to Phoenix w/o problems although it was a bumpy ride - landed around 6:30 or thereabouts. Went to fire up my laptop so I knew what flight Deb was on and holy shit its dead. It won't boot; some file is 'corrupted'. Not much I could do so I tried (unsucessfully) to sleep in the baggage claim area. Unfortunatelly they have 3 or 4 terminals and I didn't know which one Deb was coming in on so I waited till she called me. I hate fucking cell phones but I was sure glad to have one then.</div><div> </div><div>I couldn't sleep because every 30 seconds they would announce where the idiots that couldn't read were to go to get there luggage. I mean how hard is it to read that flight 343 from Chicago is to go to carousel 5 to pick up your luggage? Unfortunately due to the incompetence of our English teachers the idiots can't read thus it has to be announced and poor me couldn't sleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was in terminal 4 and Deb arrived in terminal 3 so when she called I booked over there and met her. We took a taxi to the greyhound and waited for 1.5+ hours for our bus. The gal in line in front of us was great - I'm guessing she was over 80. She was traveling by herself from Yuma AZ to Montana (I think) for a wedding. She is planning on a trip to Israel in the next year or so - I hope I'm booking around like her in 30 more years.</div><div>side note: not all drivers of Greyhound are assholes. Our driver was nice and polite.</div><div><br /></div><div>We arrived in Flagstaff around 2:40 and walked to the hostel ( <a href="http://www.grandcanyonhostel.com/">http://www.grandcanyonhostel.com/</a> ). It was about a 10 minute walk and then we checked in (duh). We then went to the bus stop (local) to catch the bus to get to my storage shed. Of course I was clueless as to what bus to take but there was some lady there waiting for her bus who knew all there was to know about the bus system and directed us to the correct bus (thank you). Once we got off the bus we still had to walk 1 mile to get to my car but made it by 5 - they close at 5. My car started up and we booked back to the hostel after stopping at Office Max to get tape and a box to mail extra stuff (camping) home. After all my car is a tad small.</div><div><br /></div><div>We went out had a few drinks and ate dinner. We were crashed by 8pm.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was dead tired but all went well - </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-87561832784242524092009-08-13T00:41:00.000-07:002009-08-13T01:13:57.358-07:00trip from hellGot up at 7:00 am this morning and left the hotel (Guatemala City) at 9:am. I'm obsessive about being early I know - my flight left at 2:05. I got to Houston a couple of minutes early but really got stressed out. There was a million people in line for immigration and I only had maybe 70 minutes. Of course I'm always nervous going thru immigration and customs since they are more like Hitlers Gestapo than protectors of our borders. Of course I was a tad more nervous as I was smuggling a fine (I really have to question that assesment) stogie for a friend from some remote island country. I digress - I made it through customs and all the annoying bullshit and got to my gate with 15 minutes to spare. The plane ended up leaving 2 1/2 hours late (storms). I arrived in Chicago then at around 12:30 am.<div>What the hell am I doing in Chicago when my car is in Flagstaff? The cheapest ticket took me this way with a 7 hour layover in Chicago (reduced by the storms). So here I sit at my gate unable to sleep. If its not the guy vacuming its the guy driving the floor cleaning machine. If its not the cops walking their dogs (what the hell is that about) and talking its the other employees who obviously are unsupervised just talking. And then there is that damn repetitive announcement on the loudspeaker, "the current threat level is orange" and the whole 3 - 1 - 1 thing over and over. I finally said the hell with it and am now typing awaiting my 5:15 flight. So unless something magic happens there will be no sleep for this kid. I rested for a hour before I gave up but got no sleep. And then when I get into Phoenix I have to wait for Deb. I arrive in Phoenix at 6:46 am and our greyhound bus leaves at 11:45 am - boy am I going to be dead.</div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-91667999377950882292009-07-26T15:33:00.000-07:002009-07-26T15:45:23.810-07:00I suck at gamesTwo games:<div>Runts<br /><div>While in Guatemala I think its important to practice the runts game. I mean its an important skill to have. Last week I dropped my 1Q in the runt machine (pretty much the same as USA runts) and I got 1 bananna. Thats it - 1 freaking bananna. Nothing else. Absolutely nothing. What a waste of money.</div><div>Pool</div><div>I went out with Reuben and shot pool yesterday. We played maybe 15 games. I won the last. We played 3 different games.</div><div>1st game</div><div>You start with the 1 ball. You must hit the 1 ball first and then you get whatever ball you put in. Add up the number of 'points' and the guy with the most is the winner. If you hit the 1 and you slop in the 7 then you have 7 points and you can continue. Once the 1 ball is in you then must hit the 2 first, and so on. It wasn't even close. I don't know the name of this game.</div><div>2nd game</div><div>You only use the first 8 balls and again you must go in order. The winner is the one that puts the 8 ball in the pocket that he calls. So if I call a combo 1 ball into the 8 ball and make it I win. This game is played 'ball in hand' if you don't hit the ball you are supposed to - or you scratch. This game is called 8 ball</div><div>3rd game</div><div>What we know as 8 ball but with slop. However on scratches we played ball in hand.</div><div><br /></div><div>Boy did I suck.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-75089561483407153002009-07-25T11:44:00.000-07:002009-07-26T15:33:26.470-07:00La Tienda<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1WxISk5qiNhR-Z9q3iYyfGfa2hgpakyJLUZfNzwWRgqCJPzEV5zhQ2gQTWhUNiYv9sdSy-rowW3cnnhrgA34FnjWkqgUoHlLB5y0uXOPIH8x3a6M2C9wh9-x07IgrAFqzzUOpDXiDtJb/s1600-h/P1060268.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1WxISk5qiNhR-Z9q3iYyfGfa2hgpakyJLUZfNzwWRgqCJPzEV5zhQ2gQTWhUNiYv9sdSy-rowW3cnnhrgA34FnjWkqgUoHlLB5y0uXOPIH8x3a6M2C9wh9-x07IgrAFqzzUOpDXiDtJb/s200/P1060268.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362474729938286434" /></a>This is 'my tienda'. It’s about a 1 minute walk. Tienda's are a staple in Latin America and more so in Guatemala. They sell anything that you are likely to 'have forgotten' at the grocery store. They sell cigarettes singly. Need some loose leaf paper? 8 sheets for 1Q. Forgot eggs? you can buy 1 or whatever quantity you need. Rueben and Gloria are great people. Reuben is retired and Gloria is the main worker (my observation). The tienda isopen from about 7am to 10 pm and Gloria takes off maybe 1 or 2days per year. Normally the door is shut so you can't walk in but has the top part open. I know there is a word for this type of door. The 'accepted' way to get the attention of the people in a tienda is to take a coin and just tap on the door. Most (maybe by definition all) tiendas are a room of the house off the street.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBf2xcNp_6K8LlSyQP8O0nkFbiSWSr20NSkoxBjHhqnxRDZXQQivGQ9LZclswfPItqaTe1KT94iF_gC7whbB4q_RJBnh4wtXxKxRptwtsFQd3qV0XgnicUs_lBB_3sr8-iUwUqBZUWTh7T/s1600-h/IMG_0762.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBf2xcNp_6K8LlSyQP8O0nkFbiSWSr20NSkoxBjHhqnxRDZXQQivGQ9LZclswfPItqaTe1KT94iF_gC7whbB4q_RJBnh4wtXxKxRptwtsFQd3qV0XgnicUs_lBB_3sr8-iUwUqBZUWTh7T/s200/IMG_0762.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362473265383474578" /></a>Me at my bar stool. Some tienda's let you drink and others don't. Reuben doesn't as tienda's with drinking tend to bring in the obnoxious drunks. Friends can drink there however.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sbq6zgtDaNXy6d52iWOMZRsiksgU3fZre2oiHw4gkewVZqGrahaq10E6Gx9OlyzSms9J33butFF3yrVMOmsuaOWUqCsO6OfoqaSTeRl5UVseB4ljHgTJU1__WIhN9D1hqZhm5NH9_9_f/s1600-h/IMG_0760.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sbq6zgtDaNXy6d52iWOMZRsiksgU3fZre2oiHw4gkewVZqGrahaq10E6Gx9OlyzSms9J33butFF3yrVMOmsuaOWUqCsO6OfoqaSTeRl5UVseB4ljHgTJU1__WIhN9D1hqZhm5NH9_9_f/s200/IMG_0760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362473259247238562" /></a>Gloria</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOmkmuwdmvLMer6JUzHAjKJuBIT-2R-KLaRUhePkWFmLP2NBab1ZXZB5LZiD1i7srVaJPB2fcYrOZP3mGu6Ga0qDssXQ8ud1n0q-Um494QKDQDiPJqqP_VSEvefxIZeXV4ECMJ_bo97Fb/s1600-h/IMG_0759.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOmkmuwdmvLMer6JUzHAjKJuBIT-2R-KLaRUhePkWFmLP2NBab1ZXZB5LZiD1i7srVaJPB2fcYrOZP3mGu6Ga0qDssXQ8ud1n0q-Um494QKDQDiPJqqP_VSEvefxIZeXV4ECMJ_bo97Fb/s200/IMG_0759.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362472284552515506" /></a>Reuben - </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfsoI1gncrENRd7ru8MZNhWqqU3MKj9a-185ABOl2NhY8wIsyIIOWdqZ-WVNtN_1cDNi9pyQOPLNvlEvqpzJtv49uEdjr7HgdZEeLYojW5M0al3mmMB-Zz8jpLro1j1Oemwxij_lEqrfs/s1600-h/IMG_0757.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfsoI1gncrENRd7ru8MZNhWqqU3MKj9a-185ABOl2NhY8wIsyIIOWdqZ-WVNtN_1cDNi9pyQOPLNvlEvqpzJtv49uEdjr7HgdZEeLYojW5M0al3mmMB-Zz8jpLro1j1Oemwxij_lEqrfs/s200/IMG_0757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362472278357697746" /></a>Notice the eggs at the bottom right - no refrigeration. How long do the keep?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXzz9dcHitXtY7TqxjPo9SEb-z9bvfSsRxDR5i7_pzAZf1PRYCijuCyjiruLSX-r_nnH-jNQPKR4Qtxtfa4sxXTNVl8ZnZZ56vSJvi7_c-giaohtkzFhM9APqlQ4i9Z3jEicQlcATllKQ/s1600-h/IMG_0756.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXzz9dcHitXtY7TqxjPo9SEb-z9bvfSsRxDR5i7_pzAZf1PRYCijuCyjiruLSX-r_nnH-jNQPKR4Qtxtfa4sxXTNVl8ZnZZ56vSJvi7_c-giaohtkzFhM9APqlQ4i9Z3jEicQlcATllKQ/s200/IMG_0756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362472272971918066" /></a><br /></div></div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-78766081208252627192009-07-21T17:04:00.000-07:002009-07-21T17:12:19.720-07:00Garbage, Rats & Bastard (or Angel)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFFoXKBs9GrJyg6kelTEr-fE7KvJcl5QNQbweJ6jSEu1gRNWbeuL3wvuwnQDpWUL1xzkKwkngyvyNERRbtm6pHCARkSNIUrdn2eJ82iYg7QsSQK2tIPPiUF1LQYf-msqqt-qnjhlNyDDA/s1600-h/the+bastard.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFFoXKBs9GrJyg6kelTEr-fE7KvJcl5QNQbweJ6jSEu1gRNWbeuL3wvuwnQDpWUL1xzkKwkngyvyNERRbtm6pHCARkSNIUrdn2eJ82iYg7QsSQK2tIPPiUF1LQYf-msqqt-qnjhlNyDDA/s200/the+bastard.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361069402482542978" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">Last December (I believe) was the election and Danilo Angel (not to be confused with an angel but hereafter referred to as the bastard) won the election for mayor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Understand that I am a lazy ass student of Spanish and that I may or may not have my facts correct.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I understand most everything when I talk with my friends who use good (and slow) Spanish (most does not mean all and often 1 word can change the meaning significantly).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">OK.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Angel (oops, the bastard) won the election (I believe it was his third attempt) and one of his platforms was making Huehue a cleaner place.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Immediately after he took office things actually got better.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Garbage pickup was run by a private company and people paid the company to pick up the garbage weekly (just as in the states – at least in TR).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I believe it was 30Q a month but I’m not going to swear to that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyway before long he had the city take over the garbage pickup.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Otto (my friend) believes that his advisors persuaded him to do this by convincing him it would be a huge money maker for the city.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m not sure how he managed to take over but things down here are not as they are at home.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So now the bastard has control of the garbage pickup and can rake in the revenue for the city (and presumably skim his cut off the top) and guess what happened?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The dump said “up yours”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The city was not allowed to dump anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This I don’t understand but I am guessing maybe they didn’t want to accept the garbage anymore and this was an easy out (pure speculation on my part).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The city continued to look for places to dump as the garbage piled up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They made several attempts to have the garbage dumped elsewhere (I’m guessing with midnight runs or at least in secret) and this resulted in having the truck destroyed by really pissed off people in (I think) 2 instances.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With nowhere to dump the garbage piled up.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This problem took place in March – June (I think) although I heard nothing in March when I was here but I was only here for a few days and the problem was just starting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Apparently at its worst it was a mess.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now there is (apparently) less of a problem (it has all been picked up) although the garbage pickup is sporadic at best.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many times in the morning I see where people made midnight runs to dump their garbage somewhere on the street. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I do not know where they (the city) dump now.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">At some point the bastard took off and is nowhere to be found although he is still the mayor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe he is with the Honduran president?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think if he returned he would not live long.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My friend Jorge works for the city and he will only say it’s not good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Apparently (from Otto) money from the government and from other countries earmarked for different projects is missing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All Jorge will say is it’s not good – I think he may be worried about his job (pure speculation) and he isn’t that far from retirement.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Where do rats fit into this?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although some may call the bastard a rat I believe in calling it as I see it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My question is:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Where are the rats?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With all the garbage that I have seen (and what I heard there was) I would have believed the population of rats would have skyrocketed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have not seen a single rat (although I’m not out at night).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, apparently Typhoid Fever is a problem.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Never trust them angels.</span></p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-24093667285535398482009-07-21T11:26:00.000-07:002009-07-21T11:41:12.425-07:00I'm alive and wellFirst Deb sent me an email yesterday saying people were concerned/wondering because I hadn't posted a blog and then Don sent me an email today asking if I was alive. For better or worse folks I am here and doing fine.<div><br /></div><div>My day to day life here is not much to write about. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've started running again (the 534th time in my life). I am now up to over 40 minutes. It was dificult at first because of the altitude (not to mention the piss poor shape I had allowed myself to get into). The altitude here is about 2,000 meters which is just a tad more than TR. I have 1 run that is just a bitch. The first time I stopped 5 times. Saturday when I did it I only stopped twice. This route leaves huehue very flat, dips down and then is straight up. I will post pictures some day. The first part (the straight up part) fittingly ends at a cemetary and then continues with a 'gentler' incline. Once you reach the top you can complete a circle that gently is downhill for the next 20 plus minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>My average day:</div><div>get up, run and shower by 7 am</div><div>eat breakfast</div><div>go to school at 8 am</div><div>get done with school at noon</div><div>go home and eat lunch between 1 and 2 pm</div><div>go to the orphanage for 2 to 3 hours</div><div>wander home - this takes about 2 to 3 hours, checking my email, having a few brewskies and ending up at my favorite place (besides the stumpjack) to have a beer: the local tienda.</div><div>I get home at 7:30ish for dinner and then go out or stay in and read but am in bed by 10 at the latest.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will post a blog about the tienda later.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids are doing fine at the orphanage. At this moment there is close to 100.</div><div><br /></div><div>hasta pronto</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-62033747801446728632009-07-10T17:21:00.000-07:002009-07-10T17:25:42.889-07:00I´m in Panajachel<span lang="EN-US">I’m in Pana – got here about 2:30.<span style=""> </span>I left the school at about 10:30 am.<span style=""> </span>Its hard to believe it takes that long.<span style=""> </span>Actually the bus really got going at about 11 am and I got to Solola at 1:50.<span style=""> </span>The bus for some reason stopped several blocks from the bus stop to catch the Pana bus (traffic congestion due to the market?) so I walked (obviously) and I think I yinged when I should have yanged – I walked through the market to I lost time.<span style=""> </span>It probably should have taken just a tad over 3 hours to get here.<span style=""> </span>I do enjoy walking through the markets though.<span style=""> </span>The smells are interesting – ranging from enticing to urine – the whole spectrum.<br /><br />Huehue to Quatro Caminos - 20Q<br /></span><span lang="EN-US">Quatro Caminos - La Cuchio - 15Q<br /></span><span lang="EN-US">La Cuchio</span><span lang="EN-US"> to Solola - 2.50Q<br /></span><span lang="EN-US">Solola - Pana - 3Q<br /><br />Price really is the same as it was last year. Very uncrowded busses though - vaguely disturbing. <br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I’m staying where I usually stay (especially when on a low budget) – Posada Montufar.<span style=""> </span>It is 42Q per night with shared bath.<span style=""> </span>Just a tad over $5.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I will be here for 2 nights.</span></p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-91065193453695212672009-07-10T17:20:00.001-07:002009-07-10T17:20:56.885-07:00Be careful what you write.<span lang="EN-US">During Estalita’s party Sandra made a comment (favorable) about my blog.<span style=""> </span>Talk about a shock.<span style=""> </span>Apparently she Google’s funcacion Salvacion and then uses the Google translator to read.<span style=""> </span>I was a tad embarrassed to say the least.<span style=""> </span></span>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-6354542769343371522009-07-10T16:53:00.000-07:002009-07-10T17:19:49.653-07:00Estailita’s Birthday<span lang="EN-US">Estalita’s birthday is today but we celebrated it yesterday.<span style=""> </span>I wanted to go to Pana today and she has her music lessons on Friday so it just made sense.<span style=""> </span>Paty, Karan (a 10 year old) and I went out to buy a cake and present for Estalita.<span style=""> </span>Paty really wasn’t much help but finaly said her CD player (small boom box that I bought her last year) was broke so I bought her a new one.<span style=""> </span>We also got a nice (170Q ouch) cake.<span style=""> </span>In the process I got soaked.<span style=""> </span>It was pouring out.<span style=""> </span>I had my umbrella but I let the girls use it as it was to small for all 3 of us.<span style=""> </span>We took the taxi back.</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We celebrated with Sandra, a few of the workers, friends and the little kids that Paty and Estalita are responsible for.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Here are a few pictures.</span></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu1tRrd-zXZtaAdgJDyBY9QNg5KgrRCE0lT83OmjoAx-Kdcfxp_fhAYszVHF1bazBaFa37HikEtPPvKs0CIK8TdIeseqmTxosXkFUiW_TOQRm2zQvXXCP1a8pIybxOO8ckEnu5IxOUaH6/s1600-h/IMG_0603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu1tRrd-zXZtaAdgJDyBY9QNg5KgrRCE0lT83OmjoAx-Kdcfxp_fhAYszVHF1bazBaFa37HikEtPPvKs0CIK8TdIeseqmTxosXkFUiW_TOQRm2zQvXXCP1a8pIybxOO8ckEnu5IxOUaH6/s200/IMG_0603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356989755651144690" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqYLho78FzzB1AjF5rRljnd9gKC4rd7x_0fqlk48LtB_i2kl9tlCGtQ0QNCVljERI7L0bb9Sr4fK7iHF2Wq0DTnm41G9iTxcHp6au_FlNiCFC3W1MqZEUK5eh1MijtpNs3Z7C3WesWLtk/s1600-h/IMG_0602.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqYLho78FzzB1AjF5rRljnd9gKC4rd7x_0fqlk48LtB_i2kl9tlCGtQ0QNCVljERI7L0bb9Sr4fK7iHF2Wq0DTnm41G9iTxcHp6au_FlNiCFC3W1MqZEUK5eh1MijtpNs3Z7C3WesWLtk/s200/IMG_0602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356989397342971106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjlFIe_8KVVj29fINMvZDhLNOAYNlPRlf_4PdRYzTBAFWPFucTccSIpz_bWndkcHPcX1V7AABxQ3qGCIevQg5SNYyYK69J8tYDOESZQ08J6iQiAf8nToEU-g68TC12P0LYU2jrZcJRh4t/s1600-h/IMG_0601.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjlFIe_8KVVj29fINMvZDhLNOAYNlPRlf_4PdRYzTBAFWPFucTccSIpz_bWndkcHPcX1V7AABxQ3qGCIevQg5SNYyYK69J8tYDOESZQ08J6iQiAf8nToEU-g68TC12P0LYU2jrZcJRh4t/s200/IMG_0601.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356989390253503538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cXCJEsaejmfiTspeDRNsI1pOxLltA9Pnk2zn5_46TlCREEnYMQJffs7OX40qWVYA_ChRsnWxC2Spu5SBxpKXXi8hzlw08PUFSrkSL8YFABCGRG2D24jdepucKgjfRSOpa4cJlL7H9KtV/s1600-h/IMG_0600.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cXCJEsaejmfiTspeDRNsI1pOxLltA9Pnk2zn5_46TlCREEnYMQJffs7OX40qWVYA_ChRsnWxC2Spu5SBxpKXXi8hzlw08PUFSrkSL8YFABCGRG2D24jdepucKgjfRSOpa4cJlL7H9KtV/s200/IMG_0600.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356989377667377810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMACKmvkLn20Jyjmw0t7Jiih3yKtBGDJ5k5DK0h-0W68u0vySDU2op40cPvoBh5aESMYJ4aJaiT2UEtkbMEPeq07rmFpXETIBzmha7044IfgSwsynATYQkd9-prLpGDoFXJ1Z2tYSm-K9/s1600-h/IMG_0599.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlUJSRh5wui5lA3fkTqAbDslp5o6m1Y0uus6axELZ7dJAd1qOhHIqOMX7cW8yaB-PpRAXnOyh8L6JdCQXpG4pyNZaVGHzyOvzEiC7dxgzGX3NvVcRPDZ3Q_fSJ09Mo667TRMfBgdiNINX/s200/IMG_0589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356987150671910258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7qyNguJuLHwtJP7fxLOxQGnyiNbfAmjkQeiVlakKqhAud6X4xbO_d6rzY2qKOtRY8DaAof1rogfBPPUoTAKgeKjABX4DkyVONo4y0PmQp3KnOpGrB4DCzeDuJ5sO_6f-EUTz9QQpoZj5/s1600-h/IMG_0588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7qyNguJuLHwtJP7fxLOxQGnyiNbfAmjkQeiVlakKqhAud6X4xbO_d6rzY2qKOtRY8DaAof1rogfBPPUoTAKgeKjABX4DkyVONo4y0PmQp3KnOpGrB4DCzeDuJ5sO_6f-EUTz9QQpoZj5/s200/IMG_0588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356987148064217874" border="0" /></a>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-75913642890244787482009-07-08T16:22:00.000-07:002009-07-08T16:24:07.585-07:00My first 2 days in Huehue<p class="MsoNormal">Not much new.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I started classes on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maria is my teacher for the first part and Otto for the second part.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So far Otto and I have just talked and Maria is reviewing with me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I imagine that I will spend the first 2 weeks just reviewing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It slowly is coming back – possibly I need to study.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Have been to the fundacion every day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The kids are doing fine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yesterday we went out to eat for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s really interesting watching how the girls grow.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I first took the girls out to eat<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(December 2003) my intention was to take them to a nice restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Patty was having none of that, she wanted to go to Pollo Campero (KFC like chain in Guatemala) – we went to Pollo Campero.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In fact we went to Pollo Campero exclusively until last year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Last year Patty asked if we could go to La Fonda which is a nice restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of course I was thrilled to do that as I was sick of Pollo Campero.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Every time however that we went to a restaurant Patty (and Estelita) ordered pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I guess growth comes in small steps.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yesterday when we went I was shocked when Patty ordered a traditional Guatemalan meal – she is no longer a kid I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After we ate we walked around the center of town and then went to a café (I wanted a coffee) and Patty astounded me again by ordering a capuccinno.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Will wonders never cease.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Estelita now is only studying piano – I’m not quite sure why.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She said she will talk to me later about what she wants to do.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think she only wants to study voice.</p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-15513938214372147102009-07-08T16:13:00.000-07:002009-07-08T16:22:10.937-07:00Motorcycle's Revisited<p class="MsoNormal">I had it all pretty correct except that the helmet is mandatory. Apparently in certain cities the law is enforced and where there are no problems (like Huehue) the law is different/not enforced. For example in Huehue you can have 2 people on the bike and only the passenger needs the vest and helmet. However the law is not enforced.</p><p class="MsoNormal">This is a clasic example of how politicos make laws without thinking of the ramifications. Apparently there were a lot of protests over this but they fell on deaf ears.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In latin america as in many other parts of the world the motorcyle is the mode of transportation for the middle class. They can't afford a car but they can afford a cycle which is used to transport kids to school, spouse to work, etc. Often times you will see 2, 3, or even 4 people on a bike. Now enforce this law and how do you get your wife to work, or your child to school? Why they take the public transportation. It's the public transportation that is being targeted by the criminals. So now to try and eliminate one problem you have put thousands of people in more danger. If you chose to ignore the law the fine is over 1000Q which is more than alot of people make in a month. They solved 1 problem at the expense of many - it sucks big time.</p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-23251494418663517912009-07-07T15:48:00.000-07:002009-07-07T15:55:45.191-07:00motorcylesMore or less I have this correct - a few details may be slightly off. I hope to talk to Otto tomorrow and make sure I have this all correct.<br /><br />Due to the high numbers of murders commited from motorcycles there is a new law in Guatemala. I am assuming it is enforced in Guatemala City because it sure isn´t enforced here. With 2 people on a bike and helmets which function as a mask it is very easy to commit a drive by shooting or assasination and on a bike it is very easy to get away. The traffic is crazy and there is no way a car could get away but a bike is super easy.<br /><br />The law as I understand it.<br />1) 1 person per bike<br />2) you must have a vest on that has your license plate number on it. These vests are black with reflective silver stripes and your plate number is reflective also. The vests come in different styles; mesh, a very light material, a heavier material and I´m sure they have them in jackets also.<br />3) if you wear a helmet it to must have the license plate number on it.<br /><br />I assume that if you aren´t in compliance (in Guatemala City) you would be stopped. Nots sure if it helps or not.rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-18496242654976109192009-07-06T16:46:00.000-07:002009-07-06T17:02:50.164-07:00Estoy en GuatemalaI went to the counter in San Cristobal and the earliest bus to Comitan was 10:15 so I took a colectiveo (40P).<div>note: colectivos operate between 2 fixed points, normally two adjacent towns. They don't leave until they have enough people in them to make the ride profitable. They then drop and pick people up along the way. Usually they are vans but occasionaly can be taxis.</div><div>My colectivo from San Cristobal was a taxi and left once they had 4 passengers so it was (relatively speaking) a quick ride.</div><div>In Comitan I walked across the road and caught a colective (van for 30P) to the border. I crossed the border at 1:10. I had to go thru Mexican customs and then took a taxi (colectivo 10P) for a couple more miles to the Guatemalan side and went through Guatemalan customs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before customs I dealt with the usual crooks (money changers) and as usual got ripped off.</div><div>$1/7Q</div><div>1P/Q</div><div>not sure what the ATM exchange rate is yet.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the Guatemalan customs I asked how much for a taxi ride (<a href="http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/glossary/g/TukTuk.htm">they are tuk-tuk's</a>) to the bus terminal (basically a vacant lot) and it was 20Q. I walked.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cost 20Q for the 2 plus hour ride to Huehue and arrived at about 2pm (Guatemala is an hour behind Mexico - they don't use daylight savings time). Took a taxi (25Q) to the orphanage but the girls were at some activity at some church. I visited for a bit and then went to the school for a hour or so. After that I went to my house, stopping at the tienda for a beer and to catch up with Gloria and Reuben. Carlos showed up there also.</div><div><br /></div><div>Had dinner at the school and was in bed by 10pm.</div>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-66788243398993739102009-07-05T06:40:00.000-07:002009-07-05T06:42:40.031-07:00Why Do I Do This?<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Found a wireless place so am having my 3rd dose of caffeine (they charged my 5P for the password) so I am posting this and the prievious 2 posts</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">7:56 am</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Why Do I Do This?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; "><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">I walked down to the central plaza to a café in hopes of getting a cappuccino and a wireless connection.<span> </span>I’ve got the cappuccino but not the wireless.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Now to the question I posed.<br />It seems somewhat bizarre that I would travel all this distance and only 1 time did spend 2 nights in the same place.<span> </span>Many of the places that I went to (In México all but PV) I would love to spend 2 or 3 days at.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">I have always dreamed of traveling in this fashion.<span> </span>Slowly moving on (albeit on this trip it was quickly moving on) toward some goal.<span> </span>When I was a child I used to dream of riding my bicycle across the country.<span> </span>Every day moving on a bit farther.<span> </span>As a thirty something adult I canoed with Deb or friends and we moved on down the river every day – never staying 2 days at the same spot.<span> </span>I have also dreamed of canoeing the Mississippi from Lake Itasca to Gulf of México.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">This form of traveling is what I like best – but to be honest it would be much better if I had the time to spend the 2 or 3 days at each spot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Was<span> </span>this a great vacation?<span> </span>Hell yes it was.<span> </span>Can I explain why, not really.<span> </span>You either totally understand or you can never understand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">One thing this trip did teach me is that I can’t wait till I retire.<span> </span>If all goes well I’ll retire in 10 years at age 62 and then make<span> </span>the trip down the pan American from Alaska to the tip of South America and then maybe up the coast on the east (would have to spend some time learning Portuguese though.<span> </span>And no, I wouldn’t just travel on the pan American but travel south.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Will try and post this and then I’m Comitan bound.<span> </span>I figure 5 to 6 hours from when I leave here till I arrive in Huehue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Not sure if I’m ready to study tomorrow</span><span style="line-height: 18px; font-family: Wingdings; "><span>L</span></span></p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-15784635903772664722009-07-05T06:39:00.000-07:002009-07-05T06:40:45.254-07:00Sunday Morning 5 July<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Get out and vote!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">5:17 am<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">I’m in Tutxla.<span> </span>I had this fleeting thought in Tehuantepec that I would check and see if I could change my ticket as maybe the bus continued on in the direction I was going.<span> </span>I didn’t check and the bus is.<span> </span>I however am glad to be off the bus for a bit.<span> </span>I would die for a coffee right now but the damn coffee shop isn’t open.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">I don’t like the overnight busses.<span> </span>It takes me forever to be able to sleep, and it’s never a comfortable sleep.<span> </span>I fall asleep and then wake up 20 minutes later and continually repeat the process.<span> </span>So it’s 5:23 am and I probably got 3 hours of sleep last night at best.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">7:15 am<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; ">My bus left at 6am sharp (25P) and I must have slept most of the way.<span> </span>I looked at my watch when we pulled into San Cristobal and I figured we weren’t here yet as I thought it would take 2 hours.<span> </span>The driver however said we were in San Cristobal.<span> </span>I put my back pack in storage (10P/hr) and found a restaurant across the street.<span> </span>After I eat I will find a bus/colectivo to get to Comitan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 18px; "><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-72271961905698424262009-07-05T06:35:00.000-07:002009-07-05T06:39:23.502-07:00Saturday night 4 July<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;">8 pm<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;">I’m at the bus station for my 11:30 bus.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know it’s silly but I didn’t want to have to catch a taxi late and it was convoluted at best to get from my hotel to the bus station.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After my lunch and trip to the internet place I had a beer and went back to the hotel and took a nap and then a shower.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I found on my way to my lunch a café that had wireless so after my shower I went there and had two cappuccinos and a bottle of water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I then went out for dinner near the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was 6:45 and I went to the place that I had a beer at and he said he couldn’t serve me (I’m guessing that maybe 6pm is the cut off time) and I asked why.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He said because of the voting (which I knew) so I replied that I couldn’t vote.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He laughed and then I said (just joking) that I could hide it and he said (I had ordered a dark beer) that he could put it in a class and then said it’s a coke.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I had a couple of beers (cokes) with my dinner and then went back – took another shower and now am waiting for my bus.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;">I like this town (Tehuantepec) – it’s real México.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s not small (70,000) but it has a small town feel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They have the neatest taxis – they are like a motorcycle tricycle that has a platform in the back and the passengers stand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They maybe can fit 3 people – they are cute but unfortunately I didn’t get a picture. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;">Well if I have internet at the Tuxtla station I will post this, otherwise it will probably get posted from Guatemala.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;">Ciao.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-6782987297459016142009-07-04T12:04:00.000-07:002009-07-04T12:17:42.175-07:00july 46:35 am local time<br /><br />Why do I keep saying local time – that’s stupid as I only use local time. I catch the bus in 25 minutes. Actually I need to go out there 10 to 15 minutes early. By this time I used to go crazy but now I am somewhat relaxed about catching my bus.Slept like a baby last night – was in bed at 9:15 and snoring by 9:16 I’m pretty sure.I got up this morning at 5:30 and was out the door at 6 to come here.3 years ago at this very time I stayed in the same place. Casa Arnel is very nice, reasonable and quite (except during world cup games). I know it was the same time because this weekend is the election (first Sunday in July) and I entered Guatemala that year on Sunday – I spent Friday and Saturday night at the casa 3 years ago and only Friday this year. The difference? 3 years ago it was packed with travelers from around the world. This year I saw no other travelers. There might have been other guests, I can’t be sure. I was in the common area from 7:30 till 9 last night and saw no one. I talked to the owner and she said between the swine flu and the economy it’s been bad. Most people (taxi drivers and the random wierdos I talk to) have mentioned the flu when I talked about the lack of tourists. (I’m on the bus now) Most of the busses that I’ve been on have been empty (relatively speaking) until I got on this bus. It’s packed. I hope that people (tourists) aren’t avoiding Mexico because of some ignorant concern about the influenza. I think that the economy must be the main reason, although I read somewhere in the spring that Mexico was going to begin a 90 million dollar add campaign to try and bring tourists back to Mexico. I believe this was aimed primarily at those people going to the resorts that I don’t go to. They were going to try and encourage people to go to Cancun (for example) but not ever mention the word Mexico. Don’t know if this campaign ever was run (don’t really watch TV).<br /><br />In the north getting on the bus was as simple as showing your ticket. At Mexico City I got patted down (everyone but old ladies were). Here in Oaxaca they ran the wand (metal detector not magic) over me and then they walked through the bus with the video camera filming everyone. They made me take my hat off. Does that mean there is more crime the farther south you go? I thought the danger was in the north and the city. Without a doubt the worst bus station that I went to was in Nogales. The station in Oaxaca was very nice and I even was able to get a good cup of cappuccino. Mexico Cities station is what it is – very busy. Manzanillo had a very nice modern station. Puerto Vallarta had a much smaller station than I had anticipated, but I guess most tourists travel by plane. In PV just as in Mexico City by you need to buy a ticket from the kiosk to give to the taxi driver. At the kiosk you must tell the ticket person where you are going - a pain in the ass if you don’t know where you are going. Well it’s also a pain in the ass typing this so I’m going to sign off.<br /><br />Ciao<br /><br />I´m in Tehuantepec. Arrived at noon but couldn´t catch a bus till 11:30 tonight. I bought a ticket to Tuxtla Gutierrez for then. Checked the 2nd class station next door and they had a bus leaving at 4pm. Didn´t really help me as I don´t want to arrive at 10 at night. Got a hotel (230P) and at least can nap and take a shower. Had a great meal and a couple of beers - didn´t think I could buy a beer from midnight last night till monday morning. I´m guessing this far from anything they just don´t care about the law or maybe I misunderstood. Most latin countries I believe have laws about selling alcohol on election day.<br /><br />My ticket for this morning was 174P and my ticket for tonight was 202P.<br /><br />Basically I should arrive in Tuxtla around 5 am. Its then 3 hours to Comitan by bus. After that colective to the border (1 hour) and then 2 hours by bus to huehue. should be there by late lunch tomorrow.<br /><br />Speaking of border crossings I hate them. Crossing into the USA because imigracion are ass holes and every other country because the money changers are rip off artists and I need Quetzals. I thought I packed mine but didn´t - oh well.<br /><br />hasta luego and happy 4th of July and happy b-day eldest sonrmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-63397506929379915412009-07-03T18:37:00.001-07:002009-07-03T18:37:16.469-07:00Kindle<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">I guess it’s time to comment on Deb’s Kindle that she loaned me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I absolutely hate and love it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Love:<br />It is perfect for traveling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t have to carry anything and yet can have a million books.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One has to be careful though.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I “unplugged” the charger cord and only had the USB part and the gizmo that the USB goes into was still in the outlet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a good thing that I’m so anal as to check that I had each thing I was supposed to have.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s easy to buy a book – who needs the wireless download.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many good books are there for very reasonable prices.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Hate:<br />It ain’t a book.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want paper.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want to turn pages.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want to bend pages over.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want to write in the book (realistically to never look at it again), I want to pass the book on.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want to loan the book.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want to trade the book.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This proprietary bullshit is ….just bullshit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">However:<br />I’m traveling and love is better than hate any time.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">Check out this blog Deb – I enjoy his books<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.jakonrath.blogspot.com/">http://www.jakonrath.blogspot.com/</a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-64779636450820362722009-07-03T18:21:00.000-07:002009-07-03T18:35:43.835-07:00More Oaxaca<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">My meal is called Tlayuda con carne (it comes another way besides with meat).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I chose beef.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> It is a large tortilla with frijoles, onions, cheese (lots) guacamole, tomatoes and the beef on top.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Boy was it good.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">70 P plus a beer and I tipped the waiter 20P.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I wonder how much electricity I would have used.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">OK, I’m off that topic now.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I bought 3 pieces of artwork, one for la Osita, one for Deb and one for me (or a gift).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">If Deb puts her mind to it she will figure out the medium and style of the art work (sorry but purple dragons that I found wouldn't have survived in my backpack).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Angie, the piece I got for the la Osita is a turtle </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">(she doesn’t read this does she?) – I think that’s what you asked for last year – it’s not a toy though, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The Zocalo is in much better shape than when I was here (must have been 3 years ago).</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The teacher strike is over.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">There is some political stuff there though but I think that’s more the result of Sunday’s upcoming election.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6079511487156899827.post-27993384066894018492009-07-03T18:19:00.000-07:002009-07-03T18:21:51.980-07:00The Ugly American?<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: 18px; ">So after my meal I walk down to the zocalo to look around and have a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Before I get there I see a nice restaurant (mostly empty) and I go in and order a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They have wifi so I want to post my blog and check my email.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My battery (which at the best of times holds very little charge – 2 hrs) is on its last leg so I plug it in after she had brought me my beer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She (I’m thinking she was a librarian in another reincarnation) tells me I can’t do that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why I ask, and she replies that it uses energy – no fucking shit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By battery needs energy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She was very insistent that I unplug it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was so mad that I paid for my beer and left – without drinking it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They knew I was mad.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">I know, Doug is appalled that I left a full (good) beer on the table and Angie and Deb are saying, “grow up for god sake – you’re 52, isn’t it time you acted like it”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> Not to mention this is where Deb makes a comment about life insurance and how she will enjoy it. </span>I politely asked how much the beer was and then sort of (not real hard) slammed the coins on the counter and left without saying anything.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I sort of thought the idea was to get people into your restaurant and have them spend money.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I mean I wasn’t charging an electric car.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m in another restaurant (no wifi) and have my computer plugged in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Calm down Rog, take a deep breath. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s their loss, they can’t resell the beer, they got no tip (and I tip very well) and I probably would have had 3 beers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Again, their loss, glad it only cost 1 beer before I found they were idiots.<o:p></o:p></span></p>rmusketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11470749608311808342noreply@blogger.com0