Day 33 - Puerto Angel

Just for once I’ve set myself a schedule. With Christmas coming up, I’ve had the concern of finding somewhere to stay so that I don’t find myself kissing a streetdog under the mistletoe. So I’ve booked into a place on Lake Atilan in Guatemala. I imagine I’ll come back to Lake Atilan in future posts, but in short it’s a lake, in Guatemala, and THE unmissable destination if you happen to find yourself in, well, Guatemala. Point being, I need to move from where I am, by bus, and end up in Lake Atilan by 21st December. You see? A schedule. Not that I’m averse to working according to a schedule, in fact, I’d say it’s my thing. But these trips are more about NOT working to a schedule and avoiding all the stress that entails. Plus, working to a schedule in Central America is just asking for trouble. Expecting a bus to depart and arrive within a day of the advertised programme can only lead to disappointment and frustration. Anyway, it’s done now, and even if I have to hitch a ride on the back of a pig carrying pickup, I’ll need to get my shiny white arse across the Guatemalan border in time for Christmas. 

What I am going to attempt to do, is get a bus at 8pm this evening and arrive at San Christobal de Las Casas at about 7am tomorrow morning. I have my fingers crossed the bus is running, and that there is a ticket available for me. I've then got the whole overnight ride thing which really doesn't hold much appeal, but it is better than the alternative, which is to arrive at 1am and bum around in the dark until a cafe opens sometime around 10am. There's no reason why any of the above shouldn't happen just fine, it's just that there are lots of bits that could go wonky and then we're into crisis management mode, which is also kinda fine, but it will no doubt be uncomfortable. Anyway, these are the sort of things one has to try and figure out when on a travelling holiday ....for anyone that doesn't do this kind of thing.

I don't have any new and interesting pics to share, so instead, here is how I try and get around the place without the benefit of wi-fi

Ideally, download google maps of the area so you can use it offline - but that isn't always doable or reliable, so just in case, screenshot general area so you can understand the street network and general area where the hotels are. It isn't elegant, but it sends you in the right direction and it works for me. ...I also have another offline app which is excellent for navigating, but not as comprehensive as the mighty Google.