The plane was making its final approach to the airport. The views of the mountains were amazing, but we weren’t making a normal descent. Then, out of nowhere, the runway appeared in front of us, at the same level we were flying, and we touched down. It was a pretty amazing way to start the 5th leg of my Central America adventure.

I had booked a cheap room, for three nights, near the airport. Then, the day before my flight, I wasn’t feeling it. Most tourists avoid Guatemala City. It was my number one reason for the trip. I decided to follow the lead of countless other travelers and I booked a stay in nearby Antigua. Traffic from the airport to the hotel was horrible. My taxi driver had to pull into a gas station, for additional fuel. All was worth it, when I stepped into my hotel.

Hotel Cacique is small two story colonial establishment, in Antigua, near Central Park. Although I got lost, my first day, the hotel is only two blocks away from a main road. The grounds of the hotel were amazing and the property has a restful feel. My room was just what I needed. And although without AC, there was a desk sized fan on the nightstand.

I decided to venture out and find the Starbucks Cafe that every blogger claimed was a must see. Who would bother going to some US Coffee chain, over a local cafe? Anyone who wants amazing pictures, (for social media), a free private workspace, and WiFi, that’s who! The Starbucks is also steps from the city’s number one attraction.

You might need to stand in the road and wait, for your perfect shot of the Arco de Santa Catalina. The arch was used by nuns, to avoid being seen in public. It allowed them go from their convent to the Catholic school across the road. Local vendors now line the streets and there’s enough tourists traffic to make it worth their time.

My favorite part, was of course, living my best Tuk Tuk life. I only walked that one time, when I got lost. I went into a restaurant to ask for help. The woman at the counter walked me back outside and stopped a Tuk Tuk. She then told the driver where to take me. I was sold and began talking them all the time.

Antiqua was just the break I needed before Guatemala City. Although the point of my visiting Central America has been visiting cities with “tourists” warnings, I think I made a good decision, (regardless of the money wasted by canceling my original hotel), to visit Antigua first. I made sure to leave early and avoid the traffic, on the way back to Guatemala city.

I would totally agree with the 8/10 rating my Guatemala City hotel, but …. The ladies at the front desk were rude to the next level! My sixth floor room was two doors from the gym. It seemed an odd choice, since this was an “upgrade” because of my status. Once in the room, I noticed that there was no security latch on the door. Rather than being assigned another room, I was made to wait, thirty minutes, for maintenance to put in another one.

While waiting, I noticed that my upgraded room “with balcony” had no view. My room upgrade was too low to see any. After the latch was added, I walked two doors down to check out the view from the small gym. When I returned, I noticed a one inch gap, between my door and its frame! Luckily, my “How was your check in?” email notification arrived, from Expedia, just then. I leaned in.

After being relocated to the highest floor of the hotel, my keycard didn’t work. I used the lobby phone and called the front desk. I sat on the floor, outside my door, and waited. I needed to get out of there! Luckily, on Sundays, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, Guatemala City shuts down major streets, so locals can enjoy walking, jogging, cycling, etc. I missed doing this in Bogota, Columbia. So I was very happy to take part in Guatemala City.

The following day, I checked out the mean streets of the neighborhood. There was a Papa John’s Pizza at the end of the block. One block away, there was a McDonalds and a Dunkin Donuts. I kept walking. At the end of the road, there was a large shopping mall, with a Starbucks outside front. Needless to say, I was afraid, very afraid! I caught a noon screening of The Fall Guy (in Spanish), then grabbed some Panda Express, and headed back to the hotel.

Once back. I booked my airport transfer with the front desk. I was leaving in two days. That night, at 10:00 pm, I received a call, from the front desk, confirming that my pick up was the following morning. I said no and explained “to someone working at the front desk” when my checking out was. Seven hours later, my phone rang again. “Your driver is here!” I again explained, “to someone working at the front desk” that my checkout was the following day.

So, I felt the “sting” of “dangerous” Guatemala City and was taken down, by the front desk staff, at my hotel. Ladies, me and the dude rocking this 2Pac tee (at the Mall) have your number. Be afraid, ladies, very! XOXO— GGT