guatemala city ain’t what you think it is
woke up late today, which is like 90% of my days, but whatever. the city here is called guatemala city, which is like a weird mix of stuff. i don’t know if i’ll stay or leave, but i’m here for the chaos. i just checked and it's 29.35 right now, which is like a sauna in a suit. hope you like that kind of thing.
walking through the streets feels like a bad dream. the air smells like burnt coffee and old secrets. i tried to take a photo of a street artist but they’re like, ‘no, not today, i’m meditating.’ whatever. that’s me. i’m the guy who thinks a food truck is a mystery.
someone told me that the local markets here are the best place to get weird stuff, but others say it’s a trap. i heard that if you wander too long, the locals will give you a lecture about colonial history. i’m not sure if they’re serious or just mad i didn’t buy their handmade soap. either way, i’m taking notes.
you don’t belong here, but stay if you want to die slowly,
i heard someone say that near a bus stop. it was probably a tourist trying to sound deep. i didn’t believe them, but now i’m paranoid about mirrors.
i saw a photo on unsplash of a park bench under green trees. it looked so peaceful. i wish i had that. instead, i’m sitting on a concrete slab next to a cafe that serves coffee so strong it could power a small country. i’m drinking it anyway.
the neighbors are… weird. if you get bored, lahue is just a short drive away, or maybe even the beach if you’re feeling adventurous. i don’t know, i’m not really a beach person. i’m more of a ‘find a random mural and take a selfie’ kind of person.
i’m also here because i randomly got these numbers: 3595181 and 1320004485. maybe they’re coordinates? maybe they’re a password? maybe they’re just my brain trying to make sense of nothing. either way, i’m too tired to figure it out.
i heard that the coffee here is the best in the world. i didn’t believe it until i tried this place. the barista is a robot with a name tag that says ‘jose’ and a face that looks like it lost a fight. i ordered a latte and it came back with a side of existential dread. it wasEverything.
i took a photo of a kid selling lollipops. he was 7. his shirt had a cartoon of a dog riding a spaceship. i bought one. it tasted like regret.
another image shows a messy alley with graffiti. the words are in spanish but i think it says ‘leave me alone.’ or maybe it’s a warning. who knows. i didn’t ask.
i’m not sure if this post is coherent. i’m just typing this while sipping coffee and questioning my life choices. maybe i should’ve been a chef. or a yoga instructor. or a guy who just lives in a van. i don’t know.
if you’re thinking of coming here, check out the guatemala city tripadvisor for some reviews. it’s probably outdated, but it’s better than nothing. also, yum for the local food spots. and guyfor the weird markets.
i’m leaving in an hour. i don’t know where. maybe to a place with less heat and more air. or maybe back to the same café. who knows.
p.s. if you see this, the space ship dog shirt guy, thank you. you made my day.
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