ANTIGUA - II
Our sweet day in Antigua is approaching its end. At 6:30 pm, our last shuttle in Gitemala will pick us up to take us to Hotel Barcelo in Guatemala City so that I can catch my 6:15 am flight comfortably, the next day. In fear of bed bugs, I reserved a nicer hotel, which the internet site gave me a very good price for. It was quite a surprise to find out it was a five star hotel for that modest price. I don’t know about the readers, but I feel extremely uncomfortable at 5-star hotels. The discrepancy between the rich and poor is all around us if one is willing to see it. However, at 5-star hotels it is like a punch in the eye: There is no better place that I have had occasional access to than 5-star hotels where poor is made feel servant and subservient to the rich, most of whom come to such places to feel gratified with feelings of superiority and dominance. The servants unfortunately do anything and everything to get that bit of tip that turns them into modern-day beggars. Most rich enjoy this to the greatest extent, fulfilling their need to rule, their need to be served at every turn. I don’t. I feel very uncomfortable when another human being bends backwards to be my servant even when there is no expectation behind it, let alone when it is done for couple of dollars of a tip.
One doorman helps pick up our luggage, gets his tip, another loads them into a cart, gets his tip, yet another one would like to carry it upstairs. I am out of change, I clearly tell him with my poor Spanish, but this time even grammatically correct “Por favor, no necesitamos ayudar, gracias.” But no, he will help us, he opens the elevator door, puts the cart into the elevator and gets in the elevator himself along with us. I am panicking on what to do now. Should I be direct and tell him I don’t have change? How can I do that while preserving my elegance with the little bit of Spanish I or Zeynep has. We are finally in the room and there is no way around it any more. I gather all my strength and declare “Lo siento, tengo no cambio.” hoping it will mean change in Spanish the way we use it in English. He says “No problem.” but it is a problem for me my friend. As soon as we are done with our dinner and obtain more change Zeynep finds him and tips him to resolve our embarrassment.
The clientele here whether Latino or American is totally different of course than those we have been encountering this past week on the streets of Guatemala. The Latinos clearly come from gated communities, who might be enjoying their ability to leave the mainstream behind and outside their high and thick walls. The American group that we end up having dinner with in the same lounge turns out to be a missionary group, celebrating the service of a relatively older gentleman, probably a clergy from the USA. I can’t help but think I much prefer to be with the 99%.
I know I would like to come back to Guatemala at least one more time. Next time around, I will go directly to Tikal and nearby areas to visit the spectacular remains of the Mayan history at its peak. After hopefully acclimating to the high altitude better, I will give another try to volcano climbing. One more try. This time, I’d like to do it without a guide at my own pace. Savoring the beauty around me, absorbing the history, becoming one with the nature at my own pace in my own heart. This is one pleasant country that everybody needs to visit.
That is Guatemala for me in July of 2012.
