Street art and wild celebrations in San Pedro - Guatemala

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Writing this blog from a terrace overlooking the lake Atitlan feels like an absolute cliche. You know, those poster like pictures of blonde girls working from their hammocks on Bali - that is how I feel now. It might not be Bali and I am not writing this out of a hammock - not that I couldn't but they are wet at the moment...

San Pedro La Laguna, where do I even begin. So far a total highlight of my stay in Guatemala. Reachable by bus or boat San Pedro is a small town - in fact almost a tourist resort. Luckily as almost everything in Guatemala it is not over developed and you do not feel like on Ibiza or some place like that.

I have checked into a camp hostel. For about eight dollars I got my own private tent. Luxury after about three weeks of jumping dorms. You know what I mean - some people snore, stink and are generally not the best companions to live next to...

After my travel marathon involving four buses and a boat ride I jumped into the lake for a quick swim. That was also my last time as the lake is known for not being that clean. It is not that bad, but you definitely should spend some time searching for the right spot to get in as there is lot of seaweed with plastic pieces floating around at places...

Next I was off to the town itself. It is really quite a picturesque place. I have noticed it on my SD card as I was taking stills all the time. You see after Guatemala City for instance, where I had to actively be looking for a right angle and something to take an interesting picture of - here it was effortless work.

Little cobbled streets guides you through town and almost every house has some paint job over its facade.

I have even met a Mexican artist while making an art piece.

During my visit here local elections were taking place. Posters urging people to go vote were everywhere. At times one could almost feel that it is a big thing here and the atmosphere was tense. And man, than there were the explosives...

At least fifty times a day there is a little bomb blast that goes off. It must be some local recipe - I haven't seen anything similar yet. It is not a typical firework or Roman candle as some would call it... It really just explodes thus creating a strong "BANG" without the colorful effect. Kind of like a cannon blast. They also shoot them so randomly during the day that one is almost always surprised.

On the other hand it creates an amazing atmosphere and makes my stay in Guatemala feeling really like in bandits paradise.

The next day I was off to something that looked like a beach on the map. In fact yes, they called it Playa De Oro - The Golden Beach. Rest assured it is just a name. The beach is more like a dock. That is where another local celebration was taking place. One week of street food, music and circus of all sorts.

I have tried the famous Gringas - some sort of taco with meat, cheese and spicy stuff. Very delicious food indeed. Other kiosks tried to sell me on pizza or some sweet things. I politely refused and took some pictures instead.

The bombs are still exploding as I am writing this article. San Pedro La Laguna mostly aims to attract younger clientele even though there is something to do for everybody. Some people go and hike a volcano, others take a party boat with all you can drink offer. Heck one day when sunbathing on the terrace an older lady came to me offering me magic mushrooms... Now I am thinking I should have bought them. But not knowing when I'll have to cross the border again I stayed away from that. Now it is time to leave this beautiful terrace and move on for another adventure.

All the best,

Global Local

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