Everywhere: People: Gregory Pappas

At the Pace of Life in Guatemala

Story written 31 July 2008

I looked up and saw monkeys swinging in a tree overhead. They looked down at me, unconcerned. This wasn't a zoo, it was Guatemala.

Pacaya uploaded on 24 May 2008

Pacaya, Guatemala. It had erupted just a few weeks before we arrived and lava was still oozing out of its mouth. We hired a local boy to take us up to the top. He had lived at the foot of the volcano all of his life. We asked him if he was ever nervous about the volcano wiping out his village. Without a second of thought he replied,"Nah, it's no big deal." Stand in one place too long and your shoes melt, but hey, have YOU ever poked lava with a stick?

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Salama uploaded on 16 May 2008

Towards the end of the trip we stopped in Salama. Lush greenery, dirt covering partial cobblestone roads, mopeds, street vendors selling soda in plastic sandwich bags and open markets with boxes brimmed with fresh fruit. Despite the concentration of people, the pace of life remains at a leisurely stroll. What's the hurry?

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Seumuc Champey uploaded on 16 May 2008

Tucked away in Guatemala's dense forest is a place called Semuc Champey. It's not a town, nor a village, it's just a spot plotted on a map, lightly peppered with tin shacks, chickens, and people. A park, read: paradise, is within walking distance of the only lodging in the area. Pay the toll, enter the gate, and breathe it in...ahhh. A dozen natural pools slowly spill from one into another down the landscape that runs through the center of the park. No worries if you forgot your swimtrunks, you'll have the whole place to yourself.

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Semuc Champey uploaded on 16 May 2008

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Semuc Champey uploaded on 16 May 2008

A view of the valley from up above. Semuc Champey, Guatemala.

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Tikal uploaded on 16 May 2008

Tikal, Guatemala. A long bus ride is well worth the quetzals. Mayans built this city over two thousand years ago and it became one of the more sought after and powerful spots in the Mayan empire. I don't understand why the mosquitoes and black flies don't bother the local workers, who work shirtless but managed to leave three dozen welts on my arms and legs.

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Tikal uploaded on 16 May 2008

Tikal, Guatemala. Temple V reaches well above the tree line. I climbed the ladder with fear. As I was ascending I noticed the ladder's support beams weren't bolted into the face of the wall. They were simply propped into nooks and crannies. A few floated freely. Needless to say the view from the top was breathtaking. Plus the flies didn't bother you up there so the panorama could be enjoyed without the buzzing of the predators.