Antigua, Guatemala to Placencia, Belize

7 April 2013, I headed out of Antigua on my way to visit Semuc Champay, and it turned out to be a bad day for riding, but a great day for human kindness.  As I traveled on what seemed to be a smooth ride, the pave road ended and the dirt/hard rock road began throughout the mountains of central Guatemala.  I lost control of the bike and crashed after two hours of riding these rough roads.  The bike was too heavy to get upright by myself, so I had to wait until other guys came by to offer help.  We got the bike upright within 15 minutes, but by then the damage was done, and the bike would not start.  I tried everything to get the bike started, so I decided to call my friend Shawn in Antigua, and get him to google “V-Strom wont start”.  That did not help, but Shawn told me that his wife Jessica and her father Byron were close to my location.  So, Jessica called me got my location, and her father contacted the closest police station to my local.  Jessica and her father told the local police of El Chol that I was an important missionary…long story short the police came to get me at 9PM.  I left my bike at the police station and spent the night in a hotel in El Chol for free thanks to the local police. 

The next morning I went to check on my bike, but police had contacted a local mechanic to stop by and look at my bike.  The mechanic got my bike to start, but had to take the bike to his shop for a better look.  At the shop they realized that I had damaged a solenoid and about three hours later my bike was ready.  Since it was still an hour ride to an asphalt road, the police offered to carry my luggage and bags in their pickup, so that I would have an easier and lighter ride on the mountain unpaved road.  We stopped at the town of Rabinal, and I got my luggage loaded, and we parted ways.  I am truly thankful for all the help and assistance that was provided to me.  I then made my way to the town of Salama to spend the night. 

The following morning I made my way to the town of Flores, and found a decent hotel named Casa Amelia, and quickly decided to sign up for a sunrise tour of Tikal the next day.  Did the Tikal tour the next morning, and returned to the hotel to give the bike an inspection, so that it would ready Belize.  All was good, and I departed for Belize the next morning without any problems.  After 5 hours of riding I made it to Placencia, Belize.

Things I do in Antigua

I have been on the road for approximately 7 months now, and people have asked what do I do while I am in Central America?  So, I decided to give a photo essay of my day to day activities.  Most of the time it is nothing special, like shopping for groceries or getting my laundry washed.  What usually happens during my activities, I meet the most amazing people along the way, and develop true friendships.  Once I become a regular at a certain place, people tend to become more comfortable with me, but when I first arrive, I tend to get the “man from mars” treatment. 

Certain parts of Central America are not used to seeing a black man come into their establishment.   Overtime everyone warms up to me, and we start to get to know one another better.  The one thing that always works, is that I respect everyone I meet, I treat that person the way I would like to be treated.  So far, I have met some very great people, and I look forward to meeting many more. 

My days starts with breakfast M-F prepared by the house maid named Loki, and then my Spanish teacher named Aracellie arrives at the house for 2 hour classes Tuesday – Thursday.  I usually drop my laundry off around the corner to my laundry girl named Andina.  Last week, some friends and I decided to take a bus to Pastores, a small town 10 minutes outside of Antigua that specializes in making boots and shoes.  You there arrive with a picture of the boots you want, and Carlos sizes you up and make a crude drawing…a week later your boots are ready. 

My boots will be ready on 5 March 12, and I will post photos of the finished product later.  I have also developed a friendship with a local tattoo artist named David, who does great work.  On some days I just go to the central park and take photos, and on certain nights I visit my favorite bar called Lava for happy hour…mixed drinks are about $1.50 US. 

Park cuties

Me getting a tattoo by David

Little boy at park

Park Vendor

Park Vendor

Central park

Park Vendor

Church in front of park

Park area

Carlos's crew at work

Carlos at work

Park vendor

Carlos showing off

Hands of a craftsman

Carlos at work

Carlos's work 

Xavier the bartender

Great friends Kelly and Travis

Lava bar

Cool bartenders at Lava, Ali and Dupree

Me and my Spanish teacher

Central park cutie

Breakfast by Loki with my housemate Fleming from Denmark

Getting my boots shined at park

My laundry girl Andina

Fruit truck that stops at the house every Friday

Me and my drinking buddies Mike and John

The Beach at Montericco, Guatemala

I decided to take a weekend trip to the beach in Guatemala.  It was fantastic and relaxing (as if I don’t enough relaxation.  Right now I know Old Man Winter is kicking butt in parts of the USA, so please take a look at my 60 second video and photo of my weekend.  Just a little inspiration for you all!

Time in Antigua

I found a great place to stay for $300.00 per month in Antigua, and I moved in 18 JAN 13, so I am now settled.  My plan is to stay here for the next 3 months or so, and learn more Spanish and Salsa.

I have made some contacts (bartenders and bar patrons) who have guided me in the right direction to accomplish my aforementioned tasks.  I will also take some day trips on the bike to explore more of Guatemala during my stay here, but mostly I will just take one day at a time and enjoy.  Below are a few pics of my new casa and various spots around Antigua.

Back In Antigua

I made my way out of Managua, and spent the night in Choluteca, Honduras.  On my way down to Panama, I avoided stopping in Honduras, but I decided to spend a night in Honduras, on this occasion.  I was pleasantly surprised how nice and accommodating the people of Honduras treated me.  I had heard from other travelers that Honduras was a bad place, but in the city of Choluteca, everyone was very friendly.

The following morning I headed out for La Libertad, El Salvador, and for some crazy reason, customs only allowed my bike to stay in the country for 24 hours…they explained something to me that I did not comprehend.  So, I spent one night there, and got an early start for Antigua, Guatemala.  The border crossing was easy, and only took one hour to exit El Salvador and enter Guatemala.  I arrive in Antigua around 3PM, and found a nice $20 hostel. 

My plan going forward is to stay in Antigua for the next 85 days, and then make my way up to Belize, then onto the Yucatan in Mexico.  This should take about 7 or 8 months, and then I will make my way to the Pacific coast of Mexico.  I will head back to the USA when the money runs out.  I will be posting photos very soon. 

Heading Back North

I apologize for not having any updates since November 2012.  I have been staying (being lazy) in Panama City, and spending my time getting to know Panama City.  I have met some great new friends during my stay in Panama City, but now it is time for me to depart.  I headed out of Panama City on 3 JAN 13, and was attempting to spend a week in Bocas Del Toro, but I got stopped by the customs police and my bike was impounded.  According to my paperwork for the bike, it was only valid for one month in Panama, so I had to go to David and stay for a couple of days to get my bike.  Long story short…paid a fine of $200 US Dollars the next day, and I got my bike.  On 5 JAN 13, I crossed the border into Costa Rica and headed for a surf town called Jaco.  I did not really like the feel of Jaco, so I headed for Liberia the next morning.  I cross the border into Nicaragua on 10 Jan 13, and I am currently in Managua, Nicaragua.  I will head out for Honduras tomorrow.   

Panama City

I am currently in Panama City, and I am trying to learn the lay of the land.  My current dilemma is trying to find a 1 bedroom fully furnished apartment for about $400 – $600 per month.  I know that is going to be hard to find in a city as modern as Panama City.  I am hold up in a hostel/housestay in the Ancon/Bsalboa area, and I must say I am having a great time, but something is missing.  I am missing the open road and the wind in my face.  I am contemplating three options:

1             

1             1.       Stay in Panama City for the next year (if I find a place I can afford)

2             2.       Heading South to Columbia (it will cost $850 one-way)

3             3.       Head back North to visit all of the places I missed on the way down (my favorite choice)