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| A field of sugar cane. Notice the mountain/rock formation in the background. The locals refer to this as The Sleeping Lady. Imagine that she’s lying face up and her nose is sticking out in the formation on the right. Can you see her now? |
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| We stopped to ask for directions, so I made a quick picture of this family set up to sell coconuts on the side of the road. |
| A new sight for me was passing mile after mile of rubber trees. Notice the small cups attached near the bottom. White liquid latex is dripping into them. Earlier in the day a worker had cut a strip of bark in the tree, and the latex immediately started oozing out. |
The word “Guatemala” shown in the middle of this map near the bottom is actually Guatemala City, the capitol where the main airport is. Our work was done primarily in the province of San Marcos on the western border near Mexico. We were in the towns of Coatepeque and Tecun Uman.
This relatively small country produces so many crops. I would guess that sugar cane and rubber are the main exports, but they also grow tons of bananas, coffee beans, pineapples and coconuts. Probably the most delicious thing I tasted all week was a pineapple/banana smoothie. Oh my! Heavenly!
There are two seasons — dry and rainy — but for me, both of them are hot. We were there at the very end of the dry season. When Steve was in Guatemala during the rainy time of October, it rained constantly, and their main concerns were mudslides and washed out bridges and roads. This time we wiped perspiration and swatted mosquitoes.
On other trips to Guatemala, we have seen more of this country’s incredible natural beauty. I encourage you to visit and see all of this for yourself. If you want to stay closer to “civilization,” as in Guatemala City, there are plenty of choices of very nice, clean, comfortable hotels. Check this website to read descriptions. Maybe on your first trip, you’ll want to play it safe. You’ll still get a sample of architecture, food, and the beautiful Spanish language and Guatemalan people.
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