Chicken Buses -High Risk But I have to Ride One

 

Guatemala is a land of color.  The women dress in vibrant colors, colorful and fragrant flowers abound in window boxes, and buildings are painted in shades of pastels, burnt oranges and vibrant yellows.  But the chicken buses are each uniquely painted with multiple colors and always with a high gloss or metallic sparkle.  According to Lonely Planet, the buses fill far beyond capacity, are cheap to ride and have often been in major fatal accidents.  Here’s a sampling of some of the colorful chicken buses I saw today.

We met a lovely couple today, originally from Upstate New York but now living in Alabama.  They have been coming to Guatemala for several years and gave us some good pointers on Antigua.  I found out one of the best places to buy coffee is at Guate Java, a little coffee shop a few blocks from where we are staying.

After a nice cafe americano, we took a leisurely stroll back to our apartment taking in the splendor around me.  I came across my favorite flower growing in the courtyard of San Jose El Viejo, a ruin.

I also found a place to take some yoga classes just a block away from the apartment in a lovely hotel.

Later in the day we went to visit some friends.  They are staying in a lovely two bedroom house on the other side of Antigua.  We spent a few hours there, then Bruce and I had dinner at a Mediterranean/Guatemalan restaurant called Mamas.  I had a shrimp and garlic dish and Bruce had fish.  Very delicious.  For dessert I had coconut ice cream with a coconut brittle and Bruce had a carmel flan.  The service was wonderful and the overall experience exceptional.

 

Another lovely day in Antigua.