Porto Quetzal, Guatemala

We have landed - finally - in a little, pretty industrial, fishing port on the west coast of Guatemala. There's not much here, but we will get in a bus tomorrow and go up to Antigua, a lovely city, at the height of Denver. Today we rested and shopped at the little market by the docks, in anticipation of the long drive up and back tomorrow...
We're right on the edge of the sea, and came gently into the dock courtesy of two tugs, just like the Moran tug being built or fitted out right now in East Boothbay. We pulled in just at breakfast time, and could watch and wave at the dockworkers. Cliff went off to a beach, while we shopped.
Semester at Sea does a great job of briefing everyone before we enter a port. Jill, the Academic Dean on Board, gave us a synopsis of Guatemalan history that was as clear and unbiased as one could wish. The US' role in its history is troubling as usual. Where did we get the idea that we should be the guardian of our concept of democracy? The Monroe Doctrine notwithstanding. That was 125 years ago, and our role here was expanded in the 1980's at the request of United Fruit, which did not want to give up its unused land at the price that it had been quoted and wwas paying taxes on. We upset a country that had been under some peaceful politics for a long time, and even now, you are asked not to go out alone, nor ride in an unauthorized taxi. The "banditos" are still very much active,- in rural areas.
But it's pretty peaceful here in port, although I have been frustrated in finding an ATM. We are told not to use any ATM unless it is in a bank, which does not exist here in the little port. So I have gone into debt to Nancy already, and we've only been in two ports.
We did have some fun in the Jade Museum though. We found a young woman with good English, who helped us find our Mayan 'signs.' Bette, and Nancy are the same - Owls, but I am a 'jaguar.' I like being a jaguar, a protector, etc., and have a little charm with the symbol on it....better than being a Bull (taurus). More later... when maybe the blog will import a photo or two!