Well as I type this I am sitting in a cafe in Antigua Guatemala. 

I kinda ended up going on a whim and a tight buget and no knowledge of spanish.  In fact all the spanish I know I taught myself on the plane on the way out.

So i have had an interesting time thus far.  I arrived in Guatemala city late then had to wait for my friend I am travelling with (neither of us speak spanish).  

When we got out of the airport the ride that was supposed to be waiting to take us to Antigua was not there and it was getting late (11pm). By luck or other powers I ended up talking to this nice Sister (nun) from Milwaukee who was kindly helping me with my horrible Spanish pronounciations.  

We started taking more and before we knew it we were spending a night in a monastery for free. And she arranged to send us on the "chicken coupe" bus the next morning.  Cost to Antigua?  $1 USD.  What it would have been if we got picked up by the shuttle service? $15 USD.  Score number 2.

Now the "chicken coupe" is an experience that must be had.  Imagine a converted old school bus, packed to the brim with people. How packed?  Take any a busy rush hour North America transit bus... multiply by two.  Now add 10 extra people for good measure.  When you get off you do so by the back and the bus does not full stop for you.

Next the bus is driven like a race car.  Hard corners bouncing over all the bumps.  I  also I can still smell the breaks burning on the decent into Antigua. 

All in all mucho fun!