New Color, New Dimension, New Value

[Eclecticmale]

I found a great place to stay for $300.00 per month in Antigua, and I moved in 18 JAN 13, so I am now settled. My plan is to stay here for the next 3 months or so, and learn more Spanish and Salsa.

I have made some contacts (bartenders and bar patrons) who have guided me in the right direction to accomplish my aforementioned tasks. I will also take some day trips on the bike to explore more of Guatemala during my stay here, but mostly I will just take one day at a time and enjoy. Below are pics of my new casa and various pic of Antigua.

[iyaoyas98]

[PiffleMaster]

Good on you!

Great to see something like this happen to you.
Karma exists! (Maybe... )

[ROAD DAMAGE]

You're killing me dude! You're killing me!

I'm so over winter ........ and I've still got a few months left to go! Nice pics and great looking apartment! All for $300 a month, huh?

Raymond, what are the shallow vats and fountain used for in the picture with the cloisters or breezeway? Is it an old public bath, or some kind of textile dyeing facility?

Glad all is going well for you!

Rob

[Eclecticmale]

ROAD DAMAGE

To answer your question:

What are the shallow vats and fountain used for in the picture with the cloisters or breezeway? Is it an old public bath, or some kind of textile dyeing facility?

It is like a public laundry, people come and wash their clothes, but I mostly see young couples making out there, when I walk by everyday.

Yes, and I agree winter is overrated...that is why I am headed to the beach this weekend.

Thanks

[hackrat]

"I found a great place to stay for $300.00 per month in Antigua"

Why in the hell am I still working? I could live off my military retirement down there and ride the KLR all the time.

[G-Wing]

ADV invention steps in: Hi my name is G-Wing and I'm addicted to the coolness of this thread... Really Raymond, I serendipitously found this thread and eight pages in it is the start of a grand tale . I'll stay tuned for stories and photos of life and riding in Guatemala and the surrounds; please keep posting Amigo!

[Eclecticmale]

I decided to take a weekend trip to the beach in Guatemala. It was fantastic and relaxing (as if I don’t enough relaxation. Right now I know Old Man Winter is kicking butt in parts of the USA, so please take a look at my 60 second video and photo of my weekend. Just a little inspiration for you all!

[johnsonal]

Good to meet you Raymond. Here's andy sitting on what we thought was your bike the other night.


who knows whos bike that really is... see you at the ocelot

[Eclecticmale]

Johnsonal,

You guys are crazy...I will see you at Ocelot tomorrow...happy hour is on me!!!

[Eclecticmale]

I have been on the road for approximately 7 months now, and people have asked what do I do while I am in Central America? So, I decided to give a photo essay of my day to day activities. Most of the time it is nothing special, like shopping for groceries or getting my laundry washed. What usually happens during my activities, I meet the most amazing people along the way, and develop true friendships. Once I become a regular at a certain place, people tend to become more comfortable with me, but when I first arrive, I tend to get the “man from mars” treatment.

Certain parts of Central America are not used to seeing a black man come into their establishment. Overtime everyone warms up to me, and we start to get to know one another better. The one thing that always works, is that I respect everyone I meet, I treat that person the way I would like to be treated. So far, I have met some very great people, and I look forward to meeting many more.

My days starts with breakfast M-F prepared by the house maid named Loki, and then my Spanish teacher named Aracellie arrives at the house for 2 hour classes Tuesday – Thursday. I usually drop my laundry off around the corner to my laundry girl named Andina. Last week, some friends and I decided to take a bus to Pastores, a small town 10 minutes outside of Antigua that specializes in making boots and shoes. You there arrive with a picture of the boots you want, and Carlos sizes you up and make a crude drawing…a week later your boots are ready.

My boots will be ready on 5 March 12, and I will post photos of the finished product later. I have also developed a friendship with a local tattoo artist named David, who does great work. On some days I just go to the central park and take photos, and on certain nights I visit my favorite bar called Lava for happy hour…mixed drinks are about $1.50 US.


House maid Loki, and housemate Fleming from Denmark having breakfast


Me and my Spanish teacher Aracellie


Laundry girl Andina


Me getting riding boots shined at the central park


Me getting a tattoo by David


Carlos the boot maker showing off his skills


Carlos making his crude measurements










Some of Carlos's work


Lava bartenders Ali and Dupree


Xavier another bartender


Photo of the patio of the bar


Me and two good friends Mike and John at the bar


Kelly and Travis two good friends I met at the bar


The fruit truck that stops by the house every Friday


random shot in the park


central park


central park


central park


central park


central park


central park


central park

[airdale7]

Great essay, thanks

[Squidbrah]

It's sad that so many of these rides start with something bad or tragic as a catalyst. Great RR though, I'll be tagging along vicariously

[airdale7]

Originally Posted by hackrat

"I found a great place to stay for $300.00 per month in Antigua"

Why in the hell am I still working? I could live off my military retirement down there and ride the KLR all the time.

Seriously, I could lease my home out and live off the rent income.

But there are the day to day expenses. Maybe Ray can give us an idea of what expenses are incurred daily like food, visit the doctor, clothing, movies...

Great RR Raymond.

[Pongo]

Raymond,
thanks for the great ride report, as most everyone has said, your eye for a photo is the most "make you feel there" of any RR I have seen on these boards.