On The Road

It’s always interesting flying out of Vancouver Int’l late at night. The usual hustle and bustle isn’t present and there’s a sense of calm that one doesn’t normally experience. Check in was easy for the first leg of our Mexicana flight to Mexico City. It’s pretty easy to pick out those of us that are tourist types versus those returning to Mexico… In one word LUGGAGE. The number of large bags full to the brime was incredible. Both legs of the flight the planes were comfortable (leg room was great) and we got feed meals at no extra cost …. take that Air Canada…. our first leg to Mexico City had us arriving with a good sleep thinking things were going pretty well. Silly us when we disembarked the fun (not so much) was about to begin. Think of this… Mexico City, more then 22 Million, an Int’l hub for flights into and out of Mexico, Central and South America.  Given this you’d think, and we certainly did, that they’d have a fairly efficient process for transiting passengers coming through here… I’m telling you that doesn’t appear to be the case. Numbered gates but no details as to flights arriving or departing, not a clock in the entire airport and gates assigned and re-assigned just before the flight is to depart. After a couple of gate changes and the passengers (I mean sheep) walking back and forth across the terminal we final got out of Mexico City.

Our Room

Arrival in Guatemala had it’s issues. Our shuttle from the hotel didn’t show up however we were able to it eventually get picked up and checked in.  Check out the photos of the room that Colin and I were checked into (can you say five star).

It turns out we weren’t going to be there long… having stepped out for dinner at a local taco stand down the street. 3 small tacos of mixed meat (chicken, chorizo and another sausage) and a cold beer 20 Quetzales. The food was very good and the beer was nice and cold. All for the equivalent of 3 dollars Canadian…. The owner “Miguel” has a good thing. A few simple items done nicely.. I’d certainly go back!

Returning from the taco stand we found the owner waiting for us. It turns out HFH Guatemala had decided they wanted to move us as a group to another hotel in Zona 9. A much nicer hotel named Villa Espanola. Still 3 to a room but much nicer. We’re still awaiting the arrival of the rest of the group tomorrow.

The weather is sunny and averaging about 27 degrees… It’s good to finally be here.