CenAm 2007-01-13

...we took a (painfully long) van to explored around Lake Atitlan and Panajachel, Guatemala. In a hotel lobby, we saw examples of huipil worn by many women. We got back to the hotel close to midnight. We woke up early-ish to catch the van. The van then went to another hotel and picked up a....a....very creepy couple that were down here to retrieve their second adopted Guatemalan child. I honestly couldn't tell if they were high on drugs or God. It was scary.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at 20.0 mm; 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

Finally out of the mountains, approaching Lake Atitlan. This valley was ruined -- and the town of Panabaj -- by Hurricane Stan.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

Lake Atitlan. Surrounded by mountains and volcanos.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 106.0 mm; 1/200 sec, f/10.0, ISO 100

One of the towns on the edge of Lake Atitlan. If I had Bertha (Bigma) she was staying safely tucked away. The ride was brutal.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/320 sec, f/10.0, ISO 100

See? Brutal.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/250 sec, f/10.0, ISO 100

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 72.0 mm; 1/250 sec, f/10.0, ISO 100

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/200 sec, f/10.0, ISO 100

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 33.0 mm; 1/125 sec, f/11.0, ISO 100

IIRC, this is the house of Madonna...or at least, it is near the house of Madonna.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 48.0 mm; 1/200 sec, f/11.0, ISO 100

LOTS of lovely houses here. Near Panajachel.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/30 sec, f/3.5, ISO 800

We got a LOT of history from our guide. I promptly forgot it.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/15 sec, f/3.5, ISO 800

I only remember something about "7" and that it was hugely significant to the Maya.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 179.0 mm; 1/500 sec, f/8.0, ISO 100

Natives rowing across Lake Atitlan.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/250 sec, f/8.0, ISO 100

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/125 sec, f/8.0, ISO 100

On the boat across Lake Atitlan. It was ROUGH. Poor Pa, with a busted hip, suffered greatly.

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/160 sec, f/3.5, ISO 100

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 1/400 sec, f/4.0, ISO 100

Canon EOS 300D with Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS at 18.0 mm; 25 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

A waterfall, on the drive from Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City. It was DARK. This is a 25 second exposure. Looks like day, but in reality, we could only see anything by headlights from passing cars.