They say that life has a ton of flavors, and we should enjoy and experience all of them. I think we got Baskin Robin’s 32nd flavor on this trip, and it tasted like tears and stress. We have been all over the world, and this was the first trip that really just didn’t go our way. Of course, the only main variable that changed was bringing two small humans along, but we are typically very good with adjustments.
The airplane flights and 2 am wakeup call really were not even that bad. Boys did great, played with their toys, and handled airport security guards’ attitudes with ease.
“Yes officer, it is just a toy asparagus, not a real one.”
“No, we are not bringing illegal vegetables into Guatemala.”
“It is his favorite toy, please don’t take it.”
The boys even acted like they had flown before, giggled on the plane, and slept most of the flight. Cooper got hangry (he is more like David), and wanted to try some of the tasty Biscoff treats that were awarded us for spending thousands of dollars on plane flights. Thanks, American Airlines. He gobbled them down only to see them come back up in about 5 minutes. His stomach was just not ready for the tasty biscuits.
We touched down in GUA, grabbed our bags and ran up to the AVIS ticket counter to grab our luxurious $452 rental car for 2 weeks.
“No cars.”
“Excuse me, but we have a reservation.”
“Yes I see your reservation here. Sorry, we just don’t have any cars at all in Guatemala.”
“Avis overbooked everyone.”
“Ok, well, what do you want me to do with my wife and 2 kids? “
“Sorry, I don’t know. “
“Ok, well can you check with your other car amigos, and see if they can find us a car? “
Man rambles away, and comes back 10 minutes later.
“Ok my friend says he may have a car in 10 minutes. I will let you know. “
“Great”
“Ok, so my friend who has this car company (no one has ever heard of) and he has a 4 door manual Solara. Do you want it? “
“Sure, I guess, we literally have no other option. I have not driven in manual in 4 years, and it was a large Tree chipper truck. Sure, why not give this a try in a new country where we have never been. “
This was our basic convo, and after about 30 minutes of checking over this beat to heck Solara with tented windows and door dents, I loaded up our family and drove straight into the most intense traffic we have been in. I quickly learned my skills for driving this car were poor, and did not do half the due diligence I needed to know about the road conditions of Guatemala.
I took us about 25 minutes to hit the mountain roads with switchbacks and 25% grades, that I realized we were F’d.
I think the clutch blew out about mile 28, and there we were stranded on the side of a mountain road in Guatemala in bumper to bumper traffic. We were in a bad spot, a really bad spot. I flagged down some truck drivers and jabbered in Spanish back in forth for them to just tell me that I was screwed. Their trucks were broken down, and they had their own set of problems. Helping a gringo was not one of them. It was getting dark, and we had nowhere to go. I called my Airbnb host, and basically told him he had to help me. It took him an hour to get to us, and got our car towed wherever the car company told him to take it to. He was our savior. He even brought waters and chips plus his guitar so soothe our aching souls.
Morgan was busy feeding the boys in the back seat, and we loaded everything up in his car. He toted us to Antigua. We didn’t eat that night, and our nerves were shot. The only ones who didn’t seem to care were the boys. They were both smiling and happy. They had no clue what we all had just been through.
We woke the next morning, and everything was alright. It was a new day, and the sun was shining.
More to come on our adventures in Guatemala.
Vows To Voyage 
Always look forward to the adventures of Morgan and David.