Thanks to the magic of post-dating my blog posts, by the time you read this, I will probably be flying somewhere over Mexico, having departed from Guatemala City’s airport. While I am leaving Guatemala, I still have some stories and pictures to share from here, so in a way, at least in the blogosphere, my Guatemalan adventures will continue.
The journey will be long, and boring for somebody like me who despises flying (funny, that, the more I fly, the more I hate flying). If all goes well, a minivan would have come to pick me up at my hotel in Antigua at the frighteningly early hour of 4 a.m., depositing me at Guatemala City’s international airport by 5. With ample time for check-in and boarding, my plane should leave at 7 a.m., heading northward and over Mexico to Miami, where I change planes.
I have a 5-hour layover in MIA. Liebling, who had the exact same 5-hour layover in Miami before his London flight 15 days before, has advised me to leave the airport in the dust and hop the bus to Miami Beach.
But I don’t know if I’m brave enough to risk it. Security checks to get back into the airport can be a mutha, and I don’t want to leave the airport only to have to rush/break my neck to be back in time for my flight. Missing it is not an option. I only have about 36 hours in Toronto as it is.
Saying goodbye to a place that you’ve visited/lived/experienced for a period of time is weird. No matter how many times I move, I feel a small amount of sorrow in the pit of my stomach when it’s time to leave.
As I left the Spanish school for the last time this past Saturday (I missed my last day of school on Friday, due to being sick, and had to pick up my diploma), Don Maco, the sweet old man who greets people as they walk in, took me in an embrace. In Spanish, he wished me the best on my journey, and told me that it was a pleasure knowing me and he hoped to see me again. I choked up a bit. Realistically, we will never see each other again. He is old and sick, and probably won’t live much longer. And if I ever make it back to Antigua, it probably wont be for a long while.
Thank goodness for that.
So adios, Guatemala. I hope to at least see you again, if not all the lovely people I have had the pleasure of meeting here over the last 4.5 weeks. And, Guatemala, thank you. It’s been real.
53 Comments
What a touching post. But thankfully, the internet allows us to more easily keep in touch with those we meet during our travels (although if the people you met in Guatemala don't have internet, it could be tricky). It's tough saying goodbye (I got choked up leaving Iceland after only spending 4 days there!), but your memories and photos will always be there to remind you.
And it's funny that you said the more you fly, the more you hate it. I'm the same way. I used to love the "thrill" of taking the plane…even hanging out in the airport etc. Now, I dread the long trips to Canada. It might be because I often fly alone too, and a long flight alone is just the worst!
Safe trip to TO…can't wait to hear more about your adventures!!
I think anyone who's traveled can understand your feelings in this one. Safe travels!
Glad you had such a great time with enriching experiences there. Can't wait to hear about your new adventures in London. Find a flat yet?
I love what you had to say about Don Maco 🙂 THAT is what makes traveling and life great.
This post is so beautiful that I don't even know where to start. Your photos do the country justice as I;ve heard that Guatemala is exuberant and lush. Your language carries the right amount of pathos; ties that have made you identify strongly with this culturally rich nation. Thanks for this visual feast and good luck wherever you go.
Greetings from London.
It definitely sounds like you're leaving a piece of you in Guatemala. They sound like a great group of people you were around.
I'm with you on liking flying less and less the more you do it. I hope everything was uneventful and your layover in Miami wasn't too boring.
Emily w/Amazing Grapes
How fun! I admire people who you who follow their dreams, get out, and travel. That is SO awesome!!
Beautiful pics 🙂
Thanks for visiting my blog!
excellent nature photo
lovely post and beautiful butterfly pics! saying goodbye can be difficult but think of all the connections you made and how the memories will stay with you.
safe journey i really hope we get to connect in december!! keep me posted
Encountering new people, no matter how briefly, is part of the joy of traveling. Glad you're feeling better and safe travels to your next destination.
I feel that way too about travel friends – I find I keep up with the bloggers I meet more than any other friends from the road…because we already live online so much. But I often think of some of the people I've met who I probably won't see again.
I fear this is how I will feel when it is time to leave India…I feel this way about friends who have left… really touching post.
Wow that went by fast! Safe travels!
O,
Sickness aside, I'm glad you're still trudging through.
My hubby came down with something similar on our trip to Honduras-luckily I was there, if only to hold his hand through it. Strong woman you are!
Onward to Chile!
I could have sworn I commented here. But I definitely relate to pain of saying goodbye as a traveller. the "will keep in touches" which never happen and the rest of it.
Enjoy your brief trip back in Toronto!
@Crystal: I. hate. flying. And all the rigamarole that comes with travelling by plane… The waiting, the security lineups… ugh!!
@Emily: Gracias!! Nos vemos!!
@Hannah: Yes, we got the confirmation today! Excited!
@Ashley: I agree!
@Cuban in London: Thanks so much!
@Emily: Guatemala is fabulous, I can't repeat it enough.
@Leean: Just doing what I feel I have to do! Thanks!
@Krishna: Thanks!
@nicole: I *think* I'll be coming to Berlin for a weekend in mid-November as well!! Will let you know!
@Monique: You are so right!
@inspiringtravellers: That's the best thing about this travel blogging community, I think- the potential to meet with other bloggers!
@'Lara: It's a cycle and a growth process all at once.
@Quiana: Tell me about it! Thanks!
@Tanya: Yes, I am feeling better and rolling along to Chile!
@Deidre: I think that it's even worse when you're an expat and have lived in a place for a really long time!
beautiful! the butterfly shots are just amazing.
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