Our Man in Antigua

so, the departure police at the airport extracted $150 USD from a visitor from Costa Rica, who’s been here before…her passport and credit cards stolen at the Sumpango kite fair but with a denuncia and a new passport, they still held her up for not having visa stamps…que malo!….welcome to Guatemalo..excuse being that their computers were late/down…as if…

ok, my personal list of local heroes…Carlos Armas of Guinness Travel, for showing  up/taking great care of the above/mentioned tourist..Alejandro, the blind guy for selling lottery tickets…Flor Mendoza of Dasha…always looking superb and working her store…Hector, my only tuc tuc driver…always on time, always…Marbel Crocker the delicious lady from Jutiapa, with always a new idea and a will to get it done…Michael Tallon,  in absentia…a writer, a soul and a presence. …Bill Shetz, commander of the local American Legion post…always on duty, always with an answer and help..Alice Bernal of New Destiny Travel…works early/late…Luis Asturias of Banco Industrial…on time/great…Scott Stanton of Que Pasa…always working..Elizabeth Bell….greatest tours of town..Laurel/Rory of the Snug/Travel Menu…Alex F of Sobremesa, when he’s not painting, writing or coming up with new menus…Maite Morjan and Michael Donley for taking care of me when I really needed it. ..and so on… a short list of my personal favorite heroes…there when you need them….absolutely the best..thanks, one and all. A huge tip of my panama!