Tom Sestito Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 A group of about ten friends and I will be going in a month or so and will be staying with homestays. That culture is something I'm not very familiar with, and in the group we only have one Spanish speaking person going - and he's Chilean. Specifically, we'll mostly be in Antigua and the surrounding areas. Thanks if anyone can help. Link to comment
Darkstar Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Are you going on that guatemalan student exchange/volunteer program? I haven't been to Guatemala, I'm just wondering. Link to comment
-AJ- Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I visited Nicaragua for 10 days about 4 years ago. There, most didn't understand English, though I do believe it is taught in schools as a second language. Your Spanish friend will be your life-saver, lol. As for the culture, we didn't go out too much, but it generally seemed alright. That said, the guard at the place we stayed did carry a shotgun on him... The people seemed nice enough, though there was tons of littering. Garbage everywhere. Keep in mind, however, Nicaragua is a bit poorer than Guatemala. Definite 3rd-world place, will be a bit of an eye-opener if you haven't seen that kind of life style for your self yet. That said, it's a good thing to witness, as it emphasizes how blessed we are to live in a first world country. Link to comment
Tom Sestito Posted February 4, 2015 Author Share Posted February 4, 2015 I visited Nicaragua for 10 days about 4 years ago. There, most didn't understand English, though I do believe it is taught in schools as a second language. Your Spanish friend will be your life-saver, lol. As for the culture, we didn't go out too much, but it generally seemed alright. That said, the guard at the place we stayed did carry a shotgun on him... The people seemed nice enough, though there was tons of littering. Garbage everywhere. Keep in mind, however, Nicaragua is a bit poorer than Guatemala. Definite 3rd-world place, will be a bit of an eye-opener if you haven't seen that kind of life style for your self yet. That said, it's a good thing to witness, as it emphasizes how blessed we are to live in a first world country. Hopefully. I believe our guide is fluent in Spanish as well. Some know basic stuff - most know nothing. We'll be out every day, either visiting places or whatever. Antigua is generally a safe area, but getting through Guatemala city is actually what makes me nervous. It'll also be two of us per home-stay. Some homestays make better food, some don't make good food Are you going on that guatemalan student exchange/volunteer program? I haven't been to Guatemala, I'm just wondering. Nope. Link to comment
canuktravella Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 check your email. umm all the capital cities are scary. when i was in managua there were running machine gun battle all night me and this ozzy shared a room and got the hell out of there as soon as we could get morning bus and both us were seasoned travelled i put down a bunch if good places to go Link to comment
avelanch Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 i went to Guatemala on a missions trip, we helped build a schoolhouse. machine gun toting security is everywhere, our hotel was close to the jungle we heard lots of shots firing at night as the army fought with the rebels. Not knowing spanish, you're not going to do well, i highly suggest taking a crash course. The best coffee i have ever had was in a resort in the mountains that we stayed at one night before leaving. freshly roasted from the fields. way better than anything we get out here. the cities are squalor and hell, the countryside is beautiful and calm (outside of the odd fight with rebels). your typical 3rd world country i guess. the drivers are nuts, most cars are missing their driver side mirrors because of near misses at high speeds. Link to comment
GoodCanadianKideh Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Antigua is a bit of an American 'party' town. There are lots of International students there learning Spanish during the day and hitting the clubs at night. I have a friend that owns a bar down there. Super fun place to be. Lots of Maya culture in the surrounding areas like Lake Atitlán. The city of Antigua is a beautiful old Spanish influenced city with great museums and picturesque views of nearby volcanoes. I was filming a documentary in Guatemala and I was worried about my film gear. Guatemala city was very safe and I never felt worried, even when I was walking around at night with my camera. The people are extremely nice and the coffee is amazing! Though there is a lot of traffic, the streets are a little worn down, which limits speeding drivers to try and navigate the pot holes. Overall, it is quite safe as long as you are aware of your surroundings and situation. Try riding in a 'chicken' bus. I highly recommend going to Tikal if you get the opportunity. The Mayan ruins there are absolutely mind boggling and incredibly impressive to witness. Have a great time!!! Link to comment
Chalky Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I have traveled fairly extensively in Central America and I have been to Guatemala a few times. Having at least one Spanish speaking person will be very helpful, not many people will speak English, so bring a phrase book and dive in. The food is very good in Guatemala, a lot of stewed meats with rice and beans...mmmmm fried plantains. I'm so jealous. Soak in the culture, go see as many old ruins as you can (lots of churches in Antigua), eat as much as you can, talk to the locals as much as you can. Antigua is super chill compared to Guatemala City, it's relatively safe; last time I was there with my wife we did it all by cab or on foot. If you get a chance to see a Mayan ruin do it. Picamas hot sauce...try it. Marie Sharps hot sauce from Belize is also delicious and easily found in Guatemala. Please try this when you are in Antigua, I still dream of it. http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g295366-d3546495-i103488411-La_Casa_de_las_Sopas-Antigua_Sacatepequez_Department.html . Link to comment
elvis15 Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 If you want to learn Spanish, try Duolingo. Free online language courses and I've been using it to learn Italian (waiting for Romanian). You might just pick up enough to be useful. But haven't been, so enjoy the trip. Link to comment
Chalky Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 check your email. umm all the capital cities are scary. when i was in managua there were running machine gun battle all night me and this ozzy shared a room and got the hell out of there as soon as we could get morning bus and both us were seasoned travelled i put down a bunch if good places to go I call BS. Managua is tame...and Nicaragua isn't anything like Guatemala. Link to comment
VICanucksfan5551 Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 I went to Belize for an ecology field school a few years back. When we were near the Guatemalan border, we needed a military escort. Apparently cross border kidnappings sometimes happen. Belize was great though. The landscape is stunning and varied. Link to comment
Offensive Threat Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Annual murder rate per 100,000 people: Canada : 1.9 Guatemala : 39.9 So you are about 20 times more likely to be murdered it in Guatemala than Canada. From Noonsites travelers info: The U.K. Foreign Office advise caution in all areas of Guatemala City due to violent crime, this includes a recent rise in kidnappings. From Canada Gov travel advisory: Only undertake intercity travel by car during daylight hours, preferably in a convoy of two or more vehicles. Not saying dont go. Just be careful and dont be walking around with your wealth hanging out. A $600 Iphone 5 in your hand all the time is not a good idea. Link to comment
KFBR392 Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Don't get killed. Have fun! Link to comment
Caboose Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Not going to lie Tom if you don't speak Spanish you're pretty much screwed. Guatemala doesn't have a tourist based economy so you won't find many English speakers outside the capital, if then. Stick to the Chilean kid as much as you can. Link to comment
avelanch Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 a few more things. dress poor, leave all jewelry at home, buy a $5 watch to keep time (don't constantly whip out your phone), you'll already stand out, don't make it look like you're oozing wealth. Only wear sandals (scorpions and spiders love to crawl into your shoes while you sleep). check the shower for scorpions and spiders BEFORE you get undressed. make sure you're up to date on all your shots, and all the shots/pills that are recommended for travel to that area. and if you go shopping, use the local currency, learn your spanish numbers and use them while haggling, when negotiating NEVER use the world "dollars" since they will be expecting american dollars if you use that word. Quetzales and Centavos (or Lenes) are what you need to use. Link to comment
Caboose Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Guatemala is a Malaria zone so make sure you get that all sorted as well. Link to comment
Tom Sestito Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share Posted February 17, 2015 Guatemala is a Malaria zone so make sure you get that all sorted as well. i got all my immunizations last thursday. three of them, then a set of pills. only shot I haven't taken is the rabies shot which is $200 + another 75$ fee. dressing poor is whatever. sweat pants and pyjamas with t shirts. we're converting money prior to leaving into quetzelas. we're only driving through guatemala city, and that's my only safety worry for the trip. antigua is a very touristy town and by everything i've read it's extremely safe. the leader set the groups for homestays, got put with by far the but also the worst person possible. if plan on taking food that is compressible with me, and not too many clothes. a lot of nuts, chewy bars (any other ideas?) planning on getting a small dictionary, hoping i can get a book of basic phrases as well. Link to comment
aeromotacanucks Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 i got all my immunizations last thursday. three of them, then a set of pills. only shot I haven't taken is the rabies shot which is $200 + another 75$ fee. dressing poor is whatever. sweat pants and pyjamas with t shirts. we're converting money prior to leaving into quetzelas. we're only driving through guatemala city, and that's my only safety worry for the trip. antigua is a very touristy town and by everything i've read it's extremely safe. the leader set the groups for homestays, got put with by far the but also the worst person possible. if plan on taking food that is compressible with me, and not too many clothes. a lot of nuts, chewy bars (any other ideas?) planning on getting a small dictionary, hoping i can get a book of basic phrases as well. How are you?=cómo estás? I´m fine thanks=Estoy bien gracias How do I get to this place?=¿Cómo llego a este sitio? usually point to the place on the map/adress/name you want to go. helps... I´m lost=estoy perdido I don´t need any help, thanks=No necesito ninguna ayuda, gracias I have a problem. can you help me please?=Tengo un problema. usted me puede ayudar por favor? I made a reservation on this name=Hice una reserva en este nombre again. show the name or point. helps... can you call a taxi for me please?=¿Se puede llamar un taxi para mí por favor? to the airport please=al aeropuerto por favor. ice cream=helado meat=carne coconut=coco water=agua man I´m drunk=hombre estoy borracho thanks=gracias sorry=apenado/triste I´m sorry=Lo siento that chick is really hot=esa chica es muy caliente Link to comment
Caboose Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 man I´m drunk=hombre estoy borracho that chick is really hot=esa chica es muy caliente Forget the rest, this is all you need. Link to comment
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