Gringos in Guatemala

Nothing like heading out to explore a country you have been living in for three whole months! Tuesday we went to the Pacific coast. We tried to do our homework and used google map to get directions, but it couldn't give us any. Vernon asked people, but the ones who knew spoke Spanish and the ones who knew and could talk English, were about 13 hours away and no cell service. So we looked at the map and headed out early Tues. morning. We hoped to miss the rush hour in Guatemala City, but ended up caught in the crowd. We drove part way with Ross and Donita Good who were headed home to Pasaco after taking care of some business in the city. We arrived at Puerto Quetza by 9 am! I told you we left early!! We headed left along the coast, close enough to see a bit of water but unable to get to it! We drove in a few places but they always ended up along a canal and people watched us and of course, I got ready to get back onto the main road! Then we pulled into this fancy gated place and tried to get some information. The man knew only Spanish and the fact that his front teeth were missing made it impossible to understand any thing. Vernon kept waving his arms and talking about muchas agua and other words that only left us all more confused than ever. The man then took Vernon's license and opened the big gate. We drove through and drove around the place. It was a housing development for very rich Guatemalans. We circled back to the gate and were happy to get the license back in our possession and then headed on. Sometime during the search, Jared was talking in the back seat, "I guess this won't be a very good day after all", he was quite concerned we wouldn't find the beach!  We kept driving and finally did find a beach that was very empty and quiet. It looked like the area would come alive later in the week, but we were very happy with the atmosphere. It was a hot, muggy, overcast day. The sand was black and very hot. The water was warm and the waves were pretty high. We had been warned to be careful about the water, it has a strong undertow, so we were careful but we had so much fun. Sometimes the waves came in with enough force to send some of us flying onto the shore. We headed home sticky, sunburned and full of sand but full of that wonderful feeling of contentment and well being after spending a bonding time together. What was most enjoyable? Just being together, laughing at each other,  relaxing and realizing that we can get around and find our way, sort of! Jared ended up having lots of fun, I couldn't keep him out of the waves!