The O'Connors Invade Guatemala
This guest blog is written by my dad, Glen, who recently visited us in Guatemala with his wife, Marcia. We had an amazing 5-day adventure, and my students were excited to meet Mr. O'Connor's dad, because they love hearing his many Chevy Chase-esque stories.
On May 18, Marcia and I ventured to Central America to experience Guatemala.
We were certainly not disappointed. We arrived in Guatemala City at an
airport that was slightly more modern than the Greater Kankakee airport.
Sarah brought us to their apartment building which was much more plush than
the airport. We were amazed that the doors to the five apartments were all
open when we arrived. The apartment does have a gated entrance with a guard
to keep things safe. I would hate to guess what their apartments would cost
in a major city in the states--they were really nice!!
We picked up Ryan at his school. The grounds were like a college campus with
many bodyguards sitting by the entrance waiting to pick up their students.
We spent Friday night in Antigua. We stayed at a hotel that was previously
visited by Bill Clinton in 1999. We looked for evidence of Monica, but we found no
stained dresses. It was the most unique hotel I have ever stayed at. It has
only five rooms with a pool just outside our room and a beautiful view of
the city and the volcanoes from the rooftop of the hotel.
Posada del Angel
We walked downtown to many of Ryan and Sarah's favorite places and were in awe of the thousands
of markets with millions of clothing items with amazingly bright colors. We
purchased several bargains, of course. We visited several cathedrals, coffee
shops, an arch that was left standing after an earthquake, and a great
restaurant. We also rode through the city in a horse drawn carriage.
On Saturday, we hiked up a volcano to see hot lava rivers streaming down the
side. We got close enough to the lava to roast marshmallows.
Thermal roasted marshmallows.. no joke!
We climbed for several hours which seemed like straight up. While climbing the volcano,
many Guatemalans hung around to provide a horse to those that could not
handle the upward climb. They seemed to gather around me like flies, but I
surprised them all and made it to our destination.
On Saturday evening, we went to a hotel on Lake Atitlan. This hotel was the
most beautiful hotel we have ever stayed at. The grounds had gorgeous
flowers that blew Marcia away. Both sides of the hotel had gardens that were
incredible. The flowers mixed with exotic birds as they settled next to the
beautiful lake were like something you only see in a magazine.
On Sunday, Ryan and I attended a mass in Spanish (I got about the same from
the sermon as I do every Sunday in Herscher) which was attended by many
Guatemalans who are very passionate about their Catholic religion. Later, I
got buckled up for a zip line ride through a forest preserve full of monkeys. It was really
fun playing Tarzan and I'm happy to report no disasters as Marcia was
expecting. [Click here for a 20-second clip of GOC on the zip line.]
Which one is Glen?
Later on Sunday, we took a boat ride to another hotel which can
only be reached by boat. The hotel was incredible! All 12 rooms face the
lake as they are carved into the side of the mountain. The rooms go straight
up in the air from the lakeside. Luckily, we were in rooms 2 and 3 as the
other rooms were much higher up the mountain. Marcia's and my legs were weak
from Saturday's climb, so we couldn't have carried our baggage any higher.
This hotel is the best kept secret in the world. For $55 a night, the view
of volcanoes and the lake is breathtaking. It almost made me forget about
baseball!!
The view of the hotel from the hiking trail.
On Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, we relaxed in hammocks, reserved the hot tub (heated by a wood burning stove) after dinner, enjoyed kayaking and a small hike. We had an awesome trip and maxed out on things to do in five short days.
After enjoying fabulous pizza for lunch on Monday, we returned to the city
for Monday night. That turned out to be one of the most memorable rides
ever. Our van driver was very good, but competed on the highway as if he
were in the Indy 500. In Guatemala construction zones, they stop one lane of
traffic for periods of 1 to 2 hours. (I'm not kidding!) So our driver, like
all the other drivers on the road decided to make up for lost time.
Remember, we are coming down from the volcanoes and lake with winding roads like in
Colorado. The speed limit is 35 to 45 mph which keeps them down to 60 or 65
mph. We were going around a hairpin curve while passing a pick-up truck.
While we were passing, a bus was passing us both as a semi-tractor trailer
was approaching. So four vehicles met on a curve with only two lanes. We all
closed our eyes and screamed and somehow we all survived. That's how they
drive all the time. I felt like a cat with nine lives. By the time we got
back to Guatemala City, I only had one life left. They drive like the worst
Chicago cabby who had been out all night at a Jeff Perzee party!! And people
walk along the road while we zip by going 80 miles per hour. I think we
clipped off several arms and legs, but they don't stop for that. Guatemala
City has 3 million people and we met everyone of them. Yes, one million were
driving on the same road as us at the same time and the other two million
were standing along the road. It is amazing. I think they stand along the
rode to witness the next big accident.
We had a great time traveling from one beautiful hotel to another. We lived
like kings, but could not help but feel guilty along the way. Between these
beautiful vacation spots, we witnessed thousands of Guatemalan families
living in dirt huts. The roofs of their huts were protected by tin that was
rustier than the ones we use on hog sheds in America. These people have no
electric power or no running water. They wash their clothes by hand and hang
them out on lines strung around their shabby little huts. What's really sad
is that most of these poverty stricken kids will never escape poverty and
will probably never venture more than a few miles from their property.
We certainly want to thank Ryan and Sarah for a fantastic five day trip. It
was a perfect mixture of adventure, relaxation, great food, and reflection.
We particularly enjoyed our captive time with Ryan and Sarah. Our previous
visits are so busy and are shared with so many family and friends that we
never have much time to actually talk. We both came to the realization that
Ryan and Sarah are an amazing couple. And as a father, I am so happy that a
very special girl like Sarah has come into Ryan's life. She's terrific!! I
told Ryan that we came home with a lifetime of stories in only five days,
but they are the types of memories that you would have to experience for
yourself to appreciate. I could go on forever, but who's got the time!!
On May 18, Marcia and I ventured to Central America to experience Guatemala.
We were certainly not disappointed. We arrived in Guatemala City at an
airport that was slightly more modern than the Greater Kankakee airport.
Sarah brought us to their apartment building which was much more plush than
the airport. We were amazed that the doors to the five apartments were all
open when we arrived. The apartment does have a gated entrance with a guard
to keep things safe. I would hate to guess what their apartments would cost
in a major city in the states--they were really nice!!
We picked up Ryan at his school. The grounds were like a college campus with
many bodyguards sitting by the entrance waiting to pick up their students.
We spent Friday night in Antigua. We stayed at a hotel that was previously
visited by Bill Clinton in 1999. We looked for evidence of Monica, but we found no
stained dresses. It was the most unique hotel I have ever stayed at. It has
only five rooms with a pool just outside our room and a beautiful view of
the city and the volcanoes from the rooftop of the hotel.
Posada del Angel
We walked downtown to many of Ryan and Sarah's favorite places and were in awe of the thousands
of markets with millions of clothing items with amazingly bright colors. We
purchased several bargains, of course. We visited several cathedrals, coffee
shops, an arch that was left standing after an earthquake, and a great
restaurant. We also rode through the city in a horse drawn carriage.
On Saturday, we hiked up a volcano to see hot lava rivers streaming down the
side. We got close enough to the lava to roast marshmallows.
We climbed for several hours which seemed like straight up. While climbing the volcano,
many Guatemalans hung around to provide a horse to those that could not
handle the upward climb. They seemed to gather around me like flies, but I
surprised them all and made it to our destination.
On Saturday evening, we went to a hotel on Lake Atitlan. This hotel was the
most beautiful hotel we have ever stayed at. The grounds had gorgeous
flowers that blew Marcia away. Both sides of the hotel had gardens that were
incredible. The flowers mixed with exotic birds as they settled next to the
beautiful lake were like something you only see in a magazine.
On Sunday, Ryan and I attended a mass in Spanish (I got about the same from
the sermon as I do every Sunday in Herscher) which was attended by many
Guatemalans who are very passionate about their Catholic religion. Later, I
got buckled up for a zip line ride through a forest preserve full of monkeys. It was really
fun playing Tarzan and I'm happy to report no disasters as Marcia was
expecting. [Click here for a 20-second clip of GOC on the zip line.]
Which one is Glen?
Later on Sunday, we took a boat ride to another hotel which can
only be reached by boat. The hotel was incredible! All 12 rooms face the
lake as they are carved into the side of the mountain. The rooms go straight
up in the air from the lakeside. Luckily, we were in rooms 2 and 3 as the
other rooms were much higher up the mountain. Marcia's and my legs were weak
from Saturday's climb, so we couldn't have carried our baggage any higher.
This hotel is the best kept secret in the world. For $55 a night, the view
of volcanoes and the lake is breathtaking. It almost made me forget about
baseball!!
On Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, we relaxed in hammocks, reserved the hot tub (heated by a wood burning stove) after dinner, enjoyed kayaking and a small hike. We had an awesome trip and maxed out on things to do in five short days.
After enjoying fabulous pizza for lunch on Monday, we returned to the city
for Monday night. That turned out to be one of the most memorable rides
ever. Our van driver was very good, but competed on the highway as if he
were in the Indy 500. In Guatemala construction zones, they stop one lane of
traffic for periods of 1 to 2 hours. (I'm not kidding!) So our driver, like
all the other drivers on the road decided to make up for lost time.
Remember, we are coming down from the volcanoes and lake with winding roads like in
Colorado. The speed limit is 35 to 45 mph which keeps them down to 60 or 65
mph. We were going around a hairpin curve while passing a pick-up truck.
While we were passing, a bus was passing us both as a semi-tractor trailer
was approaching. So four vehicles met on a curve with only two lanes. We all
closed our eyes and screamed and somehow we all survived. That's how they
drive all the time. I felt like a cat with nine lives. By the time we got
back to Guatemala City, I only had one life left. They drive like the worst
Chicago cabby who had been out all night at a Jeff Perzee party!! And people
walk along the road while we zip by going 80 miles per hour. I think we
clipped off several arms and legs, but they don't stop for that. Guatemala
City has 3 million people and we met everyone of them. Yes, one million were
driving on the same road as us at the same time and the other two million
were standing along the road. It is amazing. I think they stand along the
rode to witness the next big accident.
We had a great time traveling from one beautiful hotel to another. We lived
like kings, but could not help but feel guilty along the way. Between these
beautiful vacation spots, we witnessed thousands of Guatemalan families
living in dirt huts. The roofs of their huts were protected by tin that was
rustier than the ones we use on hog sheds in America. These people have no
electric power or no running water. They wash their clothes by hand and hang
them out on lines strung around their shabby little huts. What's really sad
is that most of these poverty stricken kids will never escape poverty and
will probably never venture more than a few miles from their property.
We certainly want to thank Ryan and Sarah for a fantastic five day trip. It
was a perfect mixture of adventure, relaxation, great food, and reflection.
We particularly enjoyed our captive time with Ryan and Sarah. Our previous
visits are so busy and are shared with so many family and friends that we
never have much time to actually talk. We both came to the realization that
Ryan and Sarah are an amazing couple. And as a father, I am so happy that a
very special girl like Sarah has come into Ryan's life. She's terrific!! I
told Ryan that we came home with a lifetime of stories in only five days,
but they are the types of memories that you would have to experience for
yourself to appreciate. I could go on forever, but who's got the time!!
The life of the Mayan people (in the moutains) is primitive, poor and very sad. However, not two hours away in Guatemala City you see many people with cell phones, driving (like CRAZY) in cars, motorcycles, etc. The beauty of the countryside, mountains, lake, flowers was breath taking! However, I must admit the memory of the beauty was "almost" erased by the chicken buses! Until you experience a chicken bus, you DON'T understand the term! Wonderful trip!!
Reply to this
Welcome to Lake">http://www.atitlan.net">Lake Atitlan. I hope you enjoyed your stay. Come back soon. Best of Luck.
Reply to this
Glen, thanks for the excellent blog. We would like to echo your sentiments about getting to spend some quality time with Sarah and Ryan. We also enjoyed our few days together in Mexico. They are a terrific couple and we think Ryan is very special. We could not have asked for a better new son-in-law.
Reply to this