XelaMap » Number 7

Travel Times from Xela (estimated times)

jose — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:20:41 +0000

Guatemala	5 1/2 hrs
San Marcos	1 1/2 hrs
Panajachel	2 1/2 hrs
Chichicastenango	2 1/2 hrs
Antigua	4 1/2
Tapachula México	4 hrs
San Pedro La Laguna	2 1/2 hrs
Huehuetenango	2 hrs
Cobán	8 1/2 hrs
Nebaj	6 1/2
San Cristóbal de las Casas México	8 hrs

Excursion: La Laguna de Chikabal

jose — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:29:45 +0000

The crater of Volcán Chikabal filled up with water sometime in the past, and now it’s a sacred Maya site, as well as a very cool day hike. The bus ride from Xela takes about an hour, and then you are looking at an hour and a half hike up to the lake. Since the area is a sacred Mayan site, swimming isn’t allowed, but it’s a great place to make a fire and eat lunch. Be respectful and enjoy the natural beauty. Beware: the lake is well known for being almost completely fogged over – this can make for a somewhat eery experience, but it’s still definitely worth the trip. Bus ride – 5Q each way; entry fee: 15Q.

First, you need to find your way to Parque Benito Juárez.
From there, head north three blocks to the bus stop.
Take a bus toward Chile Verde. Ask the Ayudante if it goes to La Distancia, and ask him to tell you when you get there. Don’t ask the price. Just pay 5Q per person. There’s some chance he’ll charge more: if it’s just a little bit, pay, but if it’s ridiculous, argue.
At La Distancia you have a couple of options. You can start hiking, or you can pay for a pickup ride. Another 5Q. Either way, head up the hill towards the small town, Aldea Las Nubes. If you need directions just ask for La Laguna Chikabal.
Pay the entry fee.
Hike!
Check out the mirador (viewpoint).
Hang out by the lake.
Return the same way you came, catching the bus on the other side of the road.

Joke Corner with Fernando

jose — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 23:34:48 +0000

English Two men rushing down aisles in the supermarket with their full shopping carts crashed into each other. One said to the other:
“Oh my god, excuse me, I’m in a rush because I’m looking for my wife.”
“What a coincidence, me too! I’m about to give up hope…”
“OK, maybe I can help you. What does your wife look like?”
“She’s tall, has light brown hair, nice legs, great tits and a cute ass, basically, very beautiful… And your wife?”
“Forget about mine, we’re looking for yours!

Spanish Dos caballeros que se movían muy deprisa en el interior de un supermercado con sus carritos de compras se chocan. Uno le dice al otro:
- Perdóneme usted; es que busco a mi señora.
- ¡Qué coincidencia, yo también! Estoy ya desesperado.
- Bueno tal vez le pueda ayudar. ¿Cómo es su señora?
- Es alta, de pelo castaño claro, piernas bien torneadas, pechos firmes, un culo precioso, en fin, muy bonita… ¿Y la suya?.
- Olvídese de la mía, vamos a buscar la suya…

Map: July-August 2010

jose — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:01:04 +0000

Full-page version.

Back of the Map: July-August 2010

jose — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:00:31 +0000

We’re hoping to break this information out into separate posts soon, but for now here’s the info in a google-maps-thing.

Full-page version.