Meeting with the army

The start to our last finca stay was not so bad afterall, after the drunken bum had moved away we took a tuk-tuk and met Marte who drove us up to the finca. She had some good news, we were going to a demonstration in the capital on Thursday! The next two days just disappeared and Thursday morning at 03.30am we're on a pick up on our way down to Patulul. We met the others who lives at Vera Cruz and drove in to Guatemala City. About half an hour out of the city, just before morning peak hour demonstraters ran out three cars in front of us and blocked the road. The army was on the spot five minutes later, but there was a hour and a half holdup before anything happenened. We're just sitting in the car, sleeping, relaxing when a man came running and yelling "Wind up your windows, the worst is about to happen!" We closed doors and windows, but after a few minutes it got too hot and we opened them all again. Then, BOOFF, teargasbombs went off, the demonstraters started running and were soon scattered all over the road while the police and army re-opened the road.

We came in to the city and spent most of the afternoon chilling in the main square. There were lots of speakers, but no real action, although we later found out the demonstraters from earlier that morning had been working for the same cause as us. Then suddenly heaps of people came and gathered in front of the building where the presidents and his mates had a meeting. The army and police was extremely present, they had blocked off the entire street and stood fully equipped with anti-demonstration-gear. The day before the police had recieved 17 million quetzales worth (NOK 15 mill, AU$ 3,5 mill) of anti-demonstration-gear, and we're guessing they were keen to try it out...

At one stage the whole street started running frantically and that was rather scary but we soon figured out nothing was going to happen. So, after a few more appeals we headed back home to the finca. It has been some good days there, very hot now, the rainy season is about to kick in and there are lots of mosquitos. Other than that nothing is new, I'm looking forward to come home, and just have to tell everyone who's been sending me emails with tips on jobs - thank you very much! I really appreciate it, and if anyone sees a job that might be interesting, feel free to send me a link! Or if you're planning a trip and need a buddy, I might be interested in that too!! Take care, so long!