San Pedro La Laguna - Arrival and settling

Arrived in San Pedro de La Laguna last Friday night, January 14th.  It was late and as we got off the launch, Mikhel and I were immediately surrounding by people asking to take us to a Hostel or Tuk Tuk drivers asking to drive us somewhere.  Even if you know where you will be staying, the people want to take you there because they will then tell the owner of Hostel that they delivered us there and will extract a tip.  We met a German girl, who suggested we try Casa Domingo, a cheap Hostel close by. As we started off, Pedro of San Pedro tagged along with us, trying to make conversation, asking us basic questions of where we are from etc. We reached the end of the road and had to make a right down a dark dirt path. This was of a little concern because Pedro was hot on our heals and I had to prepare myself for a little encounter.  I noticed that Mikhel took out a knife that he carried and wrapped it into his fist. We only went about 50 yards until we found Casa Domingo.

The rooms were as basic as can be, a prison cell being one step up.  We decided to go for it as it was only one night and we just needed a place to throw our bags and crash for the night. And at 30 Quetzsals a night it was a bad deal. 30 Quetzales being just under $4.00.  I saw Pedro get his tip from the lady who owned the place. When I got my key and was putting my stuff down, Pedro of San Pedro kindly offered to sell me some drugs.  He had it all, Pot, Mushrooms, XTC and some other stuff I didn't understand.  Bags in place, we headed back down towards the dock for some street food and beers at Alegre, a local Irish Pub.

Next morning, I was up early, took some pictures of the chickens getting fed and headed up the Coopertiva Spanish School to sign up for classes and hopefully rent an apartment they offered. I was the first one there, signed up for classes and was able to rent the apartment. Apartment was nice, big room with bed and desk, a kitchen, bathroom, with tiled floors and painted walls. Best part is that is has a balcony with a great view of Lake Atitlan. With all of that in place I spent, the better part of the day familiarizing myself with San Pedro.

San Pedro de La Laguna is one of 13 villages around Lake Atitlan. It has a population of about 13,000 and is basically divided into two parts; the tourists and hippies down towards edge of the lake and the center of town with the locals further in the hills. Overall pretty small, but it does offer a great view of the lake and surrounding volcanoes; San Pedro, Toliman and Atitlan.

Photos in and around San Pedro.