Greetings from Guatemala! Yes, the South Amercing Circuit is finished
and our overland is finished. Hopefully everyone who left Caracas over
the past few days got home to their various destinations and I just wanted
to let you know that I got to mine. The last two weeks of the trip were
very relaxed, except for the aquaplaning outside Maturin and the theft
of my lovely hammock from a beach camp. We (passengers, drivers and truck)
suffered minimal damage from the first event and the second was sheer
stupidity on my part as I had been warned. Apart from these excitements
the last days were spent on beaches, packing (and re-packing) my bags,
getting a little sunburnt and wondering where the time had flown to. It
seems no time since I was excitedly joining the truck in Quito, and 31,203kms
and many tears and laughs later, I was in Caracas and waving the truck
goodbye.

Moping, however, is not allowed so…yesterday I flew off to Guatemala,
via Panama, and got here in one piece, tired, hungry and really excited
to be on my own again. (that doesn't mean I don't miss you all!)
Found a nice hotel and am spending a couple of days getting my bearings
before I start some more Spanish lessons. I am hoping to go out to Lake
Atitlán to do these and will let you know what I decide. Antigua
is gorgeous and a real gem, if a lot touristy. As I will be here a number
of times over the next couple of months I am trying not to go shopping
and be sensible with the spending. Difficult for me!

So, that's the state of things. All is well and I am just enjoying
being here. Get back to me if you get the chance – email is cheap and
easy here.

Thanks Jacqui and keep us posted! If anyone would like to contact Jacqui,
her e-mail is: jacquitrotter@yahoo.com

What have you seen on your travels? Drop a line to the Beetle!