RTW on a thumper...KTM - LC4 Round the World ADVenturization

[MikeMike]

Mayan drama queens are so early 2000's. She might have thrown the petals at you because you told her she looked like Debbie Harry. Those Mayan phrase books are tricky that way!

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

Amazing RR. Great read. It took me about three days to read it in bits and pieces.

I don't know what your return route is, but if you happen to come through Tucson AZ you're welcome to my spare bedroom and you can stick the bike in the garage.

i'll be in touch for sure probably won't be until april 2013...thanks

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by Chiriqui Charlie

I am really jealous! Guess I have to put Antigua on my bucket list.

its a 100% must see and the prices are good too...

[Moistmaster]

Hey there Paulie' I just spent two hours catching up on where you are and what your doing.....Looks good man, I think your OCD on the wall pictures, but hey! it's your trip.
Stay safe.
CC

[SS in Vzla.]

Originally Posted by Throttlemeister

but the sponge baths in Venezuela hospital weren't so bad

Let it stand on record I had nothing to do with that!

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by SS in Vzla.

Let it stand on record I had nothing to do with that!

...but can you prove it??? everyone knows you are EL HOMBRE in Vzla and have ALL the connections

[rtwpaul]

Chichicastenango market part 2


the San Tomas church is a sight to see, lots people praying everywhere inside and outside...the ladies are on their knees walking backwards and forwards towards the alter...or lighting candles in the main aisle way

if you do go in the church use the side door not the main front door as a sign of respect and DO NOT be seen taking photos...i had my camera hanging by my side for these...the is security in there will kick you out if they see you

[rtwpaul]

if people watching is you thing then this place is for you...










chickens waiting for the chicken bus!!!




...and here it is, it never stopped moving they had to chase it down and load while it carried on up the hill out of town




plantains anyone???

[PhiSig1071]

Originally Posted by rtwpaul

i'll be in touch for sure probably won't be until april 2013...thanks

My pleasure. PM me closer to the date, and let me know if you need my address to ship parts/spares.

[rtwpaul]

Originally Posted by PhiSig1071

My pleasure. PM me closer to the date, and let me know if you need my address to ship parts/spares.

will do

[rtwpaul]

some views from around town in Antigua....

this has to be one of the hardest towns to push an ice cream cart around but the bell rings by itself because of the cobbles



day of the dead and halloween bring out unique window decorations



perfect balance?



hanging on the wall in a restaurant? translates to "the mutt"!



at the weekends a lot of streets are blocked of to cars...nice



a lot of business talk happens on the sidewalk



at a monastery virtually destroyed by the earthquake in 1976 stands as monument to it




it shows the only remnants of the civil war that i have seen, i showed it to my new language teacher and she told me that people that were considered 'a problem' were taken here in the evening and lined up against the wall and shot



the monastery is right next to the chicken bus terminal




almost all the buses are old school buses from the states



next to that is the fruit market



running everyday it is a hive of activity



how about some breakfast with a little attitude?

[rtwpaul]

lead up to today, day of the dead has been interesting, its not celebrated like in Mexico and Hollywood looking like this...its more of family day



Le Merced Church stated it off a few nights ago with the massive rosary (largest in the world - Guinness book of records anyone?) lit up and a parade to the church which under up with a guy wearing a crazy get up with fireworks attached and running at the crowd as they were going off





at the more peaceful end of town off the roof of my hotel looking towards the Volcano at night



a little breakfast before heading of to the kite festival at Santiago Secetepecez...this was on the wall in the restaurant



then it was to the bedlam that is the kite festival





my teacher was with me and being a teacher she spotted a spelling mistake on this one



when the biggest one was raised it was well over 100 feet tall



by the end of the day the crowd had grown to around 30-40,000 people



my teacher insisted that we go to the cemetery her so i can see the difference with the one in Antigua when i return later i the day

the one here has a definite split of wealth, the richer families have erected mausoleum for the families to be buried together in one spot, the poorer families clean around the grave area and in some cases cover the grave with white chalk and then grass, flowers and petals and place the persons favorite food and drink by the head stone




in some cases it is big families but occasionally it was one lonely lady sitting there





this is a very happy occasion and the familes are laughing and joking, a lot of rum is being drunk and kids are running around everywhere





talking to this guy (he was a little drunk) "its a great day i don't have to work i can have a drink and chat with my wife, and she doesn't talk back anymore!!!"



the difference in wealth is obvious in Antigua, huge mausoleums, amazing arrays of flowers but no one in traditional dress




then as i was leaving a mariachi band walked by and insisted i take a photo of them...OK

[Kedgi]

Excellent Pictures Paul! Wow!

I'm getting closer. I spent the night in Port Arthur Texas after a great ride along the SW Coast of Louisiana yesterday.

Kedgi


http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=832336

[prsdrat]

Port Arthur, home of Pearl. Enjoy the music.

As stated earlier, RTW your images are stunning! Keep them coming.

[aviatorbdm]

Great pictures... I wish I had taken more when I was there.