After saying goodbye to all my friends in Xela and Guatemala, I was ready yesterday to leave this beautiful country where I lived for more than three years. Sad to leave off course, but excited about the new adventures waiting for me around the corner.
After a very short night, I took the 4:30 am Alamo bus to go to Guatemala City. Bye Bye Xela I'll see you soon! I was at the airport by 8:30 am, so early to catch my 2:30 pm flight to LA via Fort Lauderale. So i had time to have breakfast and read. Then I make my move to the Spirit Airline register desk and started waiting. First it all went smoothy but suddenly it turned into a chaos! They asked people going only to Fort Lauderale with no connection flight to come foward to register. So after asking around and listening conversations I understood the flight was delayed so I would not be able to take my connection flight to LA. They started saying that we could go to FL, stay there for the night and flight the next day to our final destination. They will be paying for accomodation and food. But suddenly they told us there were no accomodation available in FL so we had to change the flight to the Sunday. WHAT!!!! No way!! I was at the airport, ready to leave and didn't want to lose 3 days of holidays in LA. So I decided to stick around and see. But finally at 3 pm I gave up and changed my flight to Sunday. I was tired and hungry after beeing in the airport for 8 hours! So i called Ana Maria and arranged to go to her house for the night.
Finally I decided not to wait until Sunday and I bought a new flight with Taca tonight, flying directly to LA. I lost $280 but that will teach me a lesson... do never fly with Spirit Airlines! It's the second time I'm flying with them and second time I have a problem. Last time they changed the date but sent me a mail before.
So hopefully tonight I'll be in Los Angeles and ready to discover California! Goodbye Guatemala, Good evening California!
Showing posts with label last news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label last news. Show all posts
February 26, 2010
September 1, 2009
The summer is gone
Yes Summer is almost gone and for most of you that means going back to school, to work and say goodbye to the beach, the sun and the holidays. In Guatemala, we had an amazing unusual beautiful weather in July and August. No much rain and a LOT of sun! But that didn't make the tourists come to visit us. A bad year for tourism due to the world crisis and the flue. Now rain is back and for real, so we're getting ready for 2 very wet months.
1. Work
In August, I did a 5 day writing boot camp in Antigua for ViVa Travel, a travel guides company based in Ecuador. They teached us how to write reviews for hotel, restaurant or activity. It was an intensive camp but I learnt a lot and met great people. Since I'm back to Xela, I have been writing for them and I'm already at my second assignment. I didn't know writing would take so much time and take so much energy, but I'm enjoying it. Yeah I'm starting my "career" as a travel freelance writer. After all I'm loving writing and traveling. I had already 3 of my articles published in Xelawho, the Xela local magazine for tourists. Ok It's not too hard but it's a begining...
I'm still working for the Comunidad Nueva Alianza but only until October. I want to do something else. It was fun for a while but now I want to concentrate on my plans.
2. Travel
I haven't traveled much since last May, so now it's time! I went for a weekend in Coban to do some rafting, which was fun! In two weeks, I'm going to Peten for a 4 Day trip to camp and explore some new places. Then I'll stay for a few more days to write for ViVa (a good way to pay my trip).
In October, I'm going to Guadeloupe (French Island in the Carribean Sea) for 2 weeks to meet my sister Elise and my brother. Elise is doing a practise there for 1 month and half. And my brother is coming along so we can spend some time together. I can't wait to see them after a year.
In January 2010, Argentina here I come! I'll be over for a month. Spending the first 2 weeks with 3 French friends then I'm planing to go hiking in Patagonia. A dream comes true :)
And between, I'll probably travel around Guatemala...
3. Future plans
I was supposed to start my application to get my 2 year visa a while ago but I didn't. I was just not sure how long I'll be here. But now I'm motivated to around hopefully for another 2 or 3 years. I have the plan to open a French creperie but we'll see. It's Guatemalan, everything takes time! I'm hoping to open it by the end of the year.
4. Day to day life
Since June, I have 2 flatmates. Rebecca from the States and Darcy from New Zealand. I have known them for 2 years and used to work with Rebecca at the Black Cat. Sharing with them is going really well and I'm going to miss them when they leave in December :(
I had a lot of problems with my car, had to get it repaired already twice. Yeah when you buy an old car you should be ready to spend more than earn... but I love my car!
More news soon... keep in touch!
1. Work
In August, I did a 5 day writing boot camp in Antigua for ViVa Travel, a travel guides company based in Ecuador. They teached us how to write reviews for hotel, restaurant or activity. It was an intensive camp but I learnt a lot and met great people. Since I'm back to Xela, I have been writing for them and I'm already at my second assignment. I didn't know writing would take so much time and take so much energy, but I'm enjoying it. Yeah I'm starting my "career" as a travel freelance writer. After all I'm loving writing and traveling. I had already 3 of my articles published in Xelawho, the Xela local magazine for tourists. Ok It's not too hard but it's a begining...
I'm still working for the Comunidad Nueva Alianza but only until October. I want to do something else. It was fun for a while but now I want to concentrate on my plans.
2. Travel
I haven't traveled much since last May, so now it's time! I went for a weekend in Coban to do some rafting, which was fun! In two weeks, I'm going to Peten for a 4 Day trip to camp and explore some new places. Then I'll stay for a few more days to write for ViVa (a good way to pay my trip).
In October, I'm going to Guadeloupe (French Island in the Carribean Sea) for 2 weeks to meet my sister Elise and my brother. Elise is doing a practise there for 1 month and half. And my brother is coming along so we can spend some time together. I can't wait to see them after a year.
In January 2010, Argentina here I come! I'll be over for a month. Spending the first 2 weeks with 3 French friends then I'm planing to go hiking in Patagonia. A dream comes true :)
And between, I'll probably travel around Guatemala...
3. Future plans
I was supposed to start my application to get my 2 year visa a while ago but I didn't. I was just not sure how long I'll be here. But now I'm motivated to around hopefully for another 2 or 3 years. I have the plan to open a French creperie but we'll see. It's Guatemalan, everything takes time! I'm hoping to open it by the end of the year.
4. Day to day life
Since June, I have 2 flatmates. Rebecca from the States and Darcy from New Zealand. I have known them for 2 years and used to work with Rebecca at the Black Cat. Sharing with them is going really well and I'm going to miss them when they leave in December :(
I had a lot of problems with my car, had to get it repaired already twice. Yeah when you buy an old car you should be ready to spend more than earn... but I love my car!
More news soon... keep in touch!
June 18, 2009
Last news from my Guatemalan life
For the ones that haven't followed my life in Guatemala, here are some updates.
Work... I have been working for the Community Nueva Alianza since last February as an Eco-Tour coordinator. I'm organizing weekend to the finca for Spanish students and travelers. But in May, tourism was very slow and I didn't get any trip for 6 weeks. So we decided to offer 1 day and 2 day trip during the week too to try to get more people. We'll see during the Summer if that works. As I can't live only from the money I'm doing with the job, I'm teaching French and work with friends who have travel agencies as a driver.
Day life... At the begining of May I found an apartment and moved in quickly. It's a 2 bedroom apartment close to the Parque Centrale, with parking and very quiet. I have been living on my own since then but this Sunday 22nd June are moving two friends. So back to sharing but It's a good help to pay rent and all. Oh and I bought a car! My first in Guatemala ;) It's an old trooper (4x4) and I love it. The last 2 weekend, I drove on the Guatemalan back roads and this car is perfect. It can go anywhere! I won't say that driving is less dangerous than taking a Chicken Bus but it gives you freedom. yeahhhh! Just need to get used to the crazy drivers ;)
Travel... well as you all know me, i can't just stay home. In May as work was slow, I went birdwatching with Mynor and its nephews at El Corazon Del Bosque in Solola then at the Finca Patrocinio close to Nueva Alianza. I discovered Birdwatching recently and I like it. Don't ask me the names of the birds but I love watching them with binoculars. It's more fun than what I have thought!
Futur Plans... I'll stay in Xela for the Summer, hopefully will get more trips to the Finca. My futur travels are... to the French Island Guadeloupe in October for 2 weeks to visit my younger sister. She'll be doing an internship there for 2 months ans my brother will join me.
And at the end of the year, the plan is to go to Argentina with my 3 friends who came to visit me in December. After Guatemala Express, Argentina Express! will be fun!!!
Finca Patrocinio
some beautiful flowers
a Yellow-Winged Tanager
Work... I have been working for the Community Nueva Alianza since last February as an Eco-Tour coordinator. I'm organizing weekend to the finca for Spanish students and travelers. But in May, tourism was very slow and I didn't get any trip for 6 weeks. So we decided to offer 1 day and 2 day trip during the week too to try to get more people. We'll see during the Summer if that works. As I can't live only from the money I'm doing with the job, I'm teaching French and work with friends who have travel agencies as a driver.
Day life... At the begining of May I found an apartment and moved in quickly. It's a 2 bedroom apartment close to the Parque Centrale, with parking and very quiet. I have been living on my own since then but this Sunday 22nd June are moving two friends. So back to sharing but It's a good help to pay rent and all. Oh and I bought a car! My first in Guatemala ;) It's an old trooper (4x4) and I love it. The last 2 weekend, I drove on the Guatemalan back roads and this car is perfect. It can go anywhere! I won't say that driving is less dangerous than taking a Chicken Bus but it gives you freedom. yeahhhh! Just need to get used to the crazy drivers ;)
Travel... well as you all know me, i can't just stay home. In May as work was slow, I went birdwatching with Mynor and its nephews at El Corazon Del Bosque in Solola then at the Finca Patrocinio close to Nueva Alianza. I discovered Birdwatching recently and I like it. Don't ask me the names of the birds but I love watching them with binoculars. It's more fun than what I have thought!
Futur Plans... I'll stay in Xela for the Summer, hopefully will get more trips to the Finca. My futur travels are... to the French Island Guadeloupe in October for 2 weeks to visit my younger sister. She'll be doing an internship there for 2 months ans my brother will join me.
And at the end of the year, the plan is to go to Argentina with my 3 friends who came to visit me in December. After Guatemala Express, Argentina Express! will be fun!!!
Finca Patrocinio
some beautiful flowers
a Yellow-Winged Tanager
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