6. The last day in Antigua
Day 69. The last day in Antigua. I can’t believe it has been almost 6 weeks since I got here! The time went REALLY fast. I’ve had good time here. The school was great. I am not fluent 🙄 (slacker, I know) but I think I have a good base to further build upon. I’ve met many interesting people here from all over the world. The town itself is a great place to stay and learn. Or just hang around, hike and explore what the country has to offer. 6 weeks in one place, I think this is the most I’ve stayed in one place while travelling. It helps when living in the place like the Palace … Very comfortable.
The school ended on Friday and I’ve had 3 days to decompress and prepare for the next part of my journey. The ride across the US and Mexico, the school and the ride across Central America is only a prelude to the main act - South America. The next 10-14 days will probably be the least enjoyable part of my trip. I have 5 borders to cross and they are anything but fun. I did my research and read lost of info on what to do and which border crossing is easier to cross. But there is no way around it and it is a part of the journey.
Today was a very busy and productive day. Up early, again, and I went to the town to get one of the last copies of my documents. Later I went to school at the recess to say goodbye to people I studied with. And to see my teachers. It was really nice and I hope to see everybody on my way back home. I went to wash my bike or rather get my bike washed. I paid $3 so why would I do it myself … You don’t want to ride around world on a dirty bike. What would the neighbours say … Back to the hotel to do more stuff for the upcoming days. I managed to organize the air transport for my bike from Panama to Colombia. A big accomplishment. Not easy but all is done, deposit is payed. I just have to show up and drop off my bike. But I still have to get there. It is “only” 2,500 km away. Finally, it is time to pack. All went smoothly and bags are for some reasons not as full. I must be getting better at packing. The plan is to leave early morning tomorrow and finish early(ish) to avoid inevitable afternoon T-storms. Not sure what to expect on the road, I have 240 km to cover tomorrow. You never know here as it can be anywhere from 4-10 hrs depending on the road conditions. I hope it is not 10 🙄. I have two more days here in Guatemala. The second day is even shorter than the first. Then off to Honduras. My strategy is get as close to the border as I can the night before and hit the border early in the morning. Several reasons. One is traffic, it is much less crowded in the morning. Then there is the weather which is much better to stand in lineups in the morning then it is during the day. Also, this give me plenty of time for all the BS and hoops I have to jump through and still find a place to stay on the other side before dark. As a general rule I do not ride after dark. One reason is safety and the other is I want to enjoy the scenery.
All is packed, I have make sure that all my electronics are fully charged. I only have to throw 2 bags on the bike and I am out of here. A quick coffee in the morning and I should be out of here by 7 a.m. Even though it was really nice here, I am itching to get back on the road again. Sitting at one place for too long is not in my DNA. I guess I was born a few centuries too late. It would be really cool to be really discovering new places and continents. Oh well, this will have to do for now.
I plan to do write more blogs again. To be honest, writing about past or even future tense in Spanish is not too dramatic. Looking for something more adventurous. And to take more pictures, of course. Between my iPhone and my camera I have over 3,000 pictures already. And I haven’t even start the interesting part. So, come here often, I hope to have more interesting stories and pictures for you. There is no internet at the place I will be staying tomorrow so you can take a brake from my rambling. Cheers 🤙
multitasking …
caught in the afternoon storm
looks like new …
almost ready …
saying goodbye at the school