It took us one collectivo, one bus and then a chicken bus to get to the very small town of las penitas.. Was a good journey but one I was glad to see the back off.. As soon as we arrived at hostel oasis I knew I wanted to stop for a while.. Right on the beach, three restaurants, no shops or atm's just a village of fishermen and surfers.. On our second day we helped rebuild a family shack that had been washed away by the sea, there are crazy currents there as the sea crossed its own path.. Ben left and I helped out for a couple more days before being roped into helping clear a tree from a classroom that fell in a storm and soon enough I was the local celebrity.. Everyone would say hello and ask how I was or after me, it was real good fun.. I couldn't walk anywhere with out a handshake, pat on the back or a question most of them i didn't understand but was probably request to help someone else..
I managed to see turtles making the struggle to open sea water at night, relax in a hammock, (quite a bit) and enjoy the beach around me.. I stayed for a few weeks, spent my time writing, learning less spanish, eating well and decided my next move would be to cheaper climates of Guatemala.. Only problem was that it would be a 28hour chicken bus ride and three border crossings.. Summing up the energy for this was tough enough..
I left for the sleepy town of Leon and spent an afternoon at the cinema watching the new James Bond movie (it's great) and preparing for the worst journey.. We left at 11am the next morning and I was quite pleased that we got our own seat and didn't have to share or stand..
Chicken buses are no easy measure and 2hours is more than enough for most, 28hours in one is crazy but worth the $5 fee and chance to get so far.. The border crossing where simple ones just in the middle of the night..?! There where no dramas and just simple procedures to get into and through El Salvador and Honduras.. We arrived at the border of Guatemala at 4am and was woken again for another entry stamp.. I got talking to an Argentinian guy who had left his bank card, camera etc in the last hostel and had to phone and arrange its collection to arrive on the next chicken bus tomorrow, we arrived in Guatemala City and I decided to lend him some cash.. He took my details, and as we were heading to the same places i was so sure id meet again.. I lent him $12 for a hostel and some food until his card turned up.. He swore to me that he would get the money to me in another town in Guatemala by a lake called San pedro, or by bank transfer but that can wait for next time:
More chicken buses, return of the borrower, spiders and Tikal Mayan ruins in the jungle..
Peace out much love Micky xxx