Wednesday, March 16, 2005
ya me voy chillones
Zacapa is a small little town in south-central Guatemala and home to about 3,000 people. Small winding roads, one main school for the community with thriving bars and cafes all over the town. We paid about 190 Quetzales or 25$ for two rooms (3 beds and an attached bathroom) for the 6 of us. Its another thing that the bathrooms didnt possess a door, had three generations of cockroach families living in it and the shower faucet ripped off when Johnny was taking a shower. On the overall, I quite enjoyed the small town experience. It reminded me of travelling through Allepey in Kerala, except without the backwaters.
The majority of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Mayan tribes and mestizos (mix of European indigenous ancestry). There is something overly exotic (and sexy) about the indigenous look. They tend to be a very rural population and export primarily banana, sugarcane and coffee. Its abounding ecological and natural beauty is slowly gaining more importance as tourism is becoming an increasing contributor to the nations income. Tata tells me that Toyota is the king of the road here. All other cars forecasted an estimated depreciation value of 15% for the year, while Toyoto forecasted a 10% drop. We left Zacapa for San Salvador at 5 am, after dropping of the crew at the bus stop. At around 7 am, all the streets, even in the most remote locations, were filled with school children of all ages carrying bags and wearing school uniforms accompanied by their guardians/parents on their way to work. I was pleasantly surprised to firstly see so many children attending school and also sporting uniforms. The former is an increasing phenomenon around here I am told. We talked about the history of school uniforms in England in the 16th century, and how only in the 19th century (colonial era) this discipline started being insituted in Africa, Asia and the Americas, except in the US ofcourse. I am a firm supporter of this cause (as much as I hated doing it everymorning) mainly cos of the economic, social and psychological benefits of uniforms. On the outskirts of most big cities you will find several maquilas or textile industries. Majority of them are owned by western multinationals ofcourse. I found it interesting to see close to 300-400 workers (per factory) lined up early morning to eat breakfast at these vendor stalls that are strategically placed at the entrance of these factories so workers can eat before working. Fruit of the loom employs close to 9000 people in El Salvador.
Back in San salvador. After a long nap this afternoon, I went for a walk down the mainroad that is located in one of the better shopping districts in the city. Not that I was looking to do any particular shopping. Instead, I walked into a puppuseria and ordered one of each type of puppusas that were available, about 10 in number. Total came out to about $4. Last night here. Metro Serdo will take us out tonight.
The majority of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Mayan tribes and mestizos (mix of European indigenous ancestry). There is something overly exotic (and sexy) about the indigenous look. They tend to be a very rural population and export primarily banana, sugarcane and coffee. Its abounding ecological and natural beauty is slowly gaining more importance as tourism is becoming an increasing contributor to the nations income. Tata tells me that Toyota is the king of the road here. All other cars forecasted an estimated depreciation value of 15% for the year, while Toyoto forecasted a 10% drop. We left Zacapa for San Salvador at 5 am, after dropping of the crew at the bus stop. At around 7 am, all the streets, even in the most remote locations, were filled with school children of all ages carrying bags and wearing school uniforms accompanied by their guardians/parents on their way to work. I was pleasantly surprised to firstly see so many children attending school and also sporting uniforms. The former is an increasing phenomenon around here I am told. We talked about the history of school uniforms in England in the 16th century, and how only in the 19th century (colonial era) this discipline started being insituted in Africa, Asia and the Americas, except in the US ofcourse. I am a firm supporter of this cause (as much as I hated doing it everymorning) mainly cos of the economic, social and psychological benefits of uniforms. On the outskirts of most big cities you will find several maquilas or textile industries. Majority of them are owned by western multinationals ofcourse. I found it interesting to see close to 300-400 workers (per factory) lined up early morning to eat breakfast at these vendor stalls that are strategically placed at the entrance of these factories so workers can eat before working. Fruit of the loom employs close to 9000 people in El Salvador.
Back in San salvador. After a long nap this afternoon, I went for a walk down the mainroad that is located in one of the better shopping districts in the city. Not that I was looking to do any particular shopping. Instead, I walked into a puppuseria and ordered one of each type of puppusas that were available, about 10 in number. Total came out to about $4. Last night here. Metro Serdo will take us out tonight.
# posted by Surya Swamy : 3:39 PM
