Prologue: It Starts With Why... Guatemala

As I'm writing this, it is a minute past twelve at night on a chilly November night. Tuesday turned into Wednesday. And so we are a day closer to our departure. Guatemala. 

To me, it is still a mystery. Reading Lonely Planet can only get you so far. And travel forums tell you about the experiences of other. It doesn't leave this dreamlike wandering of a memory, it doesn't let you smell, hear or feel anything. But mystery isn't what's keeping me up though. No, that's just because I'm wired wrong. 

But I'm wandering off. This prologue is about the why. First of all, why Guatemala? Don't worry, I'll keep it short. 

We started off with a clear goal. At least I did. After three longs stints in India, it was time for something different. Although Mother India has conquered a place in my heart and stomach (I mean this in a good, non diaherrea kind of way), it seemed time for a little distance makes the heart grow fonder. And not just for India. For Asia in general. Yes, I'm generalizing. Sorry, Asia. 

Second step: some sense of adventure. Although Japan, Australia, the US are fantastic destinations, they felt a little safe for this point in our lives. Yes, even you Australia, with your killer poisenous deadly what's that on your shoulder mate insects. And you US, with a clown who can initiate a nuclear winter. And you Japan, with your... Eh... Hm... With your... Day old sushi? 

Africa - never made it to any shortlist, for reasons that don't go very much 'I just don't see myself going there'. Yep, that's shallow. And short sighted. And I don't know what I'm missing. Tell me about it! 

To cut some corners: South America came out as the preferred continent. That still left many options, and many hard choices, since our time was limited. Three weeks is not enough for a continent. Not even for a part. It's not even nearly enough for some countries (I'm looking at you Brazil, you're huge!) and hardly enough for any. 

In our search, we passed through quite a few counties. Charming Chile, with its relaxed attitude and excellent infrastructure. Picture perfect Peru and wonders of Machu Pichu. Or even Astonishing Argentina, filled with enough passion to last a thousand lifetimes. None was left standing when it came down to making a choice. 

Chile, my dear, you're just too elongated. Really, look at yourself on a map. Ain't nobody got time for that. 

Peru, it's not you. It's the ridiculous prices for flighing to and from Lima. It's all about the money. 

Argentina. Pretty name, but never a serious contender. Just not a big fan of steaks.

Guatemala kept coming up left and right though. Conveniently small, no too crowded and with a history that is as diverse as its people and landscapes, the country has a lot to offer. And she came recommended, left and right. Always a good sign, since the truth is usually somewhere in the middle. 

So Guatemala it is and Guatemala it will be. 

I hope you will be good to us. We arrive as humble visitors with open hearts. We hope to leave as friends. 

Post-prologue

The question no one asked, but I wanted answered: Why the name of this blog? Because it reflects a feeling. It reflects the essence of what travelling is about. If we knew what we were getting into, would we have gone? Would we have marvalled at the things we saw, similarly to the we would untainted by the prism of experience? Who knows, maybe the whole trip turns out to be a misadventure. A tale of doom foretold by those who'd say 'why would you go there?'.

Why indeed. Because there is not just risk, there is reward. There is experience. There is insight. There is life. It may start with why, but why is only the beginning. Why is an open question, that can be filled with wonder.