Made it to Guatemala City

June 11, 2021

Got up very early and finished packing. Got off to a decent start with a nice Uber driver who got me to the East Lake MARTA station, then I took the train the rest of the way to the airport. Got my bagel and OJ, then headed to the gate. Plane left on time and without incident.

Customs was pretty smooth...took about 40 minutes. Saw the COVID testing station, but it was only in arrivals...so I still need to find out how to get a test. Had a difficult time finding an ATM--none in the airport arrivals section. I found one in the parking deck, got some money, and bought a water. Had a hard time finding a spot where the free wifi worked.

Finally figured out how to get to the main part of the airport (departures)...weird there is no way to get there IN the airport. You have to go out to the parking deck and take a ramp/elevator to the top floor and cross back over. I found the ONE ATM in the airport--hidden under a staircase--but I had already gotten the money. Finally able to get into the wifi from here, and called an Uber. Ironically, I had to meet the Uber back on the floor I originally came in on...but finally made it, and on my way into the city.

My Uber driver was great--he has been trying to learn seven different languages, so he practiced English with me. He has a wife and 2 kids. Got me to my building (I had a photo from them), and already seen a Starbucks, Wendy's, and Burger King. Also some pay phones!

Had no idea where this magical "desk" was where I was supposed to get my key, so I just stared wandering around the building and luckily found a desk that turned out to be the correct one. He gave me the key card to get into the building, and made sure I had the door code for my apartment. It is small, but very nice.

view from my balcony

Got everything unpacked and settled, then headed out to get my SIM card at a nearby Claro (one of the two major carriers here) store. Already noticing that everyone here wears masks, even outside. Every store/restaurant checks your temp, gives you hand sanitizer, and takes social distancing precautions.

After some language issues...I finally get my SIM card and I'm good to go. On the way to the store, I spotted the Iglesia Yurrita church--a beautiful red and white one, and the Torre de Reformador (a metal tower that looks like the Eiffel Tower). Very hungry, so I go ahead and stop at McDonald's to see what different items they have. The McNifico, The McPollo, the Cuarto de Libra (Quarter Pounder), and McPatatas (they have the regular fries, but these are thicker). Grabbed my double cheeseburger meal, and sat and watched the street (it is one of the main ones through the city).

Finished my food and headed further north to Plaza Espana. It is a nice park, but not much there. A non-working (thanks, COVID) fountain, landscaping, and some really cool park benches. Nearby was a TransMetro station (their bus system, with dedicated lanes so it avoids most traffic), so I went over to figure out how it works and to get a card to use. Like MARTA, you have to have a Breeze-card like card to load rides onto. Here, you buy a card and it comes pre-loaded with 5 rides which should be all I need. Had a bit of trouble with the machine (doesn't take MC, only Visa), but the worker there helped me, and I was able to take it back to my Airbnb.

After I made it back to the complex, I went to the La Torre grocery store in the basement of my building to get some supplies, then headed in for the night to finally get some rest.

There is a strange smell to the city--not bad or good--just weird. It is very hot and humid--which I did not expect here...only in Flores. There is no A/C in the apartment, so you leave the windows open--which means I heard a lot of city noise and airplane noise (the airport is literally IN the city)--but I'm in the financial district with a lot of restaurants and bars on a Friday night...so it is to be expected. After a bit, everything quiets down and cools off and you are able to shut the windows...and I got some sleep :-)