How's this for a car seat?

Transportation laws are a little different around here. Hitching a ride in the back of a truck appears to be common practice (no matter the road or the distance). Entire families, including wee little ones, have no problem piling in the back of a truck to get from here to there, which includes highway travel. Friends and family with car seats -- I've been thinking of you! If you're coming to Guatemala, you can leave it at home.



We shot this photo en route to Panajachel for a day on Lake Atitlan with Irene and Sherman. It was a long windy road with lots of traffic (and lots of smog going right into their faces).

Around the cobblestone streets of Antigua, many people ride small motorcycles or scooters. Today I saw a family of four sandwiched on a moto: Dad was driving, two girls under ten were next, and Mom brought up the rear, holding on to Dad's shoulders for safety. Another gal had her toddler standing on the front of her scooter. And of course, you can always strap your baby on to your back if you need to hop on the bike.

The kid in front is much older than others I've seen riding... EEK.

Also on the road are cars of all types (old beaters to shiny new BMWs), tourist vans galore, Tuc-Tucs, two-seat moto bikes --imported from India-- that run like taxis, and revamped American school buses painted in wild flames of color with dramatic names on their sides. There are a spattering of stop signs at some intersections in Antigua, and many streets are una via (one way), but for the most part, the general policy around traveling seems to be... hold on!