Gautemala.....

[peachy]

I have to go there for a good part of this summer...

I will be stayin in the city of Quetzaltenango (Xela)
and i know VERY little spanish as seeing i took french for 6-7 years...so yeah...i think that part might be rough hheeh


So anyone have any extra knowledge that i should know??
Anyone ever been??
Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[istewart]

pwno mio en mi bungholo.

[Michael Davis]

Yes, Guatemala can be a rough place for Americans, ESPECIALLY if you don't speak the language. You definitely need to get a guide for protection.

Do whatever you can to dress and look less American.

-Michael

[peachy]

hahaha im real tan and have dark hair....will that help?? hahaha

[GuyOnTilt]

A good starting point would be learning how to spell the name of the country. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

GoT

[peachy]

[ QUOTE ]
A good starting point would be learning how to spell the name of the country. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

GoT

[/ QUOTE ]

its 5am im not gonna spell anything well!! i misstyped the a and the u FU GOT!! /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[IronDragon1]

[ QUOTE ]
I have to go there for a good part of this summer...

I will be stayin in the city of Quetzaltenango (Xela)
and i know VERY little spanish as seeing i took french for 6-7 years...so yeah...i think that part might be rough hheeh


So anyone have any extra knowledge that i should know??
Anyone ever been??
Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[/ QUOTE ]

You gon die..........

[peachy]

lol....so i have heard...but these suggestions of dying dont help!!

[IronDragon1]

[ QUOTE ]
lol....so i have heard...but these suggestions of dying dont help!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not telling you to die-I am simply stating that being in Guatemala represents an increased probability of you dying.

[BluffTHIS!]

They've got a big poker room there with about 30 tables going 24/7 and very loose action. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Actually the last words you'll hear are, 'let's kill the gringo first'. But you won't understand them of course as they'll be in spanish. (Primero nos matamos el gringo.)

[peachy]

hahaha ok...so FAR these arent helpin much!!!

[Michael Davis]

Untrue, I gave you completely legitimate advice.

-Michael

[fatmongo]

I know a guy that owns a landscape company and employs a gang of guatemalans. He went down there last summer and was treated like royalty. Of course this is most likely because his landscaping business is making these guatemalan kids' families pretty wealthy, when they send down all the american cash they made working 80+hrs/week each.

My suggestion: start a landscape company real fast, hire some guatemalans, pay them decent under the table, and let them escort you down there.

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]
lol....so i have heard...but these suggestions of dying dont help!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Get a gun. I really mean that, get a gun.

My favorite is the Walther P99. It is small, light, and effective. Ray Zee carries a revolver, that may be the best way to go. Go to a gun range and try some out. Revolvers are very reliable, but have limited firepower.

[Tablerat]

C'mon wacki - did you see who you're giving this advice to? This is someone whose three favorite words are "lol", "hahaha", and "heehe", not necessarily in that order. She may as well Fed-Ex the gun to a Guatemalan gangbanger from her US home. Or just take fatmongo's advice and round up some Guatemalan day-laborers.

No offense, Peachy. Anyway, what's the reason for this trip?

US embassy page (http://usembassy.state.gov/guatemala/wwwhcise.html)

[Eurotrash]

hm.. after you take into consideration all of the other danger issues, another prudent idea might be to not drink the water.

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]
C'mon wacki - did you see who you're giving this advice to? This is someone whose three favorite words are "lol", "hahaha", and "heehe", not necessarily in that order. She may as well Fed-Ex the gun to a Guatemalan gangbanger from her US home.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good point, I thought about that, but still decided to post the gun advice. Maybe I was a bit foolish.

This might be better:
http://www.milestonesafety.com/bear-spray.html

[BonJoviJones]

[ QUOTE ]
US embassy page (http://usembassy.state.gov/guatemala/wwwhcise.html)

[/ QUOTE ]

"Violent criminal activity has been a problem in all parts of Guatemala for years, including numerous murders, rapes, and armed assaults against foreigners. The police force is corrupt, inexperienced, and under-funded, and the judicial system is weak, overworked, and inefficient. Criminals, armed with an impressive array of weapons, know that there is little chance they will be caught and punished"

Nice.

[wacki]

"Criminals, armed with an impressive array of weapons, know that there is little chance they will be caught and punished"

Goodbye peachy, you gonna die! *just kidding*

Don't wear anything that has english words on it. I'm not sure I would wear Nike or Reebok shoes either. (You will have to check on that.) I know I would be wearing running shoes at all times. Go to the shooting range and start practicing now. It's time to get tough peachy. Take a self defense class while your at it. If you don't walk out of the self defense class with nasty bruises on the first day, ask for your money back and go somewhere else. Tell the self defense person where you are going. Also, when you get there, ask an American what the best safety proceedures are. Then ask someone else. Then ask another person.

It may sound extreme, but it's better than getting raped by some HIV+ heroine fiend.

Man, this is odd. I feel like a troll, but I'm being very serious.

You never know, there might be some areas that are very nice. I wouldn't want to take any chances though. Good luck peachy!

I would love to see Ray Zee's advice on this subject. Zeno too.

EDIT: Just noticed it said "all parts". Great....

[peachy]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
lol....so i have heard...but these suggestions of dying dont help!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Get a gun. I really mean that, get a gun.

My favorite is the Walther P99. It is small, light, and effective. Ray Zee carries a revolver, that may be the best way to go. Go to a gun range and try some out. Revolvers are very reliable, but have limited firepower.

[/ QUOTE ]

hahaha wacki...u forget im a southern girl...i have many guns of my own...but taking them there might not be an option

[peachy]

[ QUOTE ]
C'mon wacki - did you see who you're giving this advice to? This is someone whose three favorite words are "lol", "hahaha", and "heehe", not necessarily in that order. She may as well Fed-Ex the gun to a Guatemalan gangbanger from her US home. Or just take fatmongo's advice and round up some Guatemalan day-laborers.

No offense, Peachy. Anyway, what's the reason for this trip?

US embassy page (http://usembassy.state.gov/guatemala/wwwhcise.html)

[/ QUOTE ]

uummm ive been shooting guns since i was about 5 yrs old, and shooting them alone and without help since about 10 years old. I own about 9 of my own, so i asume i can take care of myself with one. I go to the range about once a week still with my dad and i target practice with difference guns and a bow and arrow and one of our properites around once a month...so dont make silly assumtions about someone u dont know.

I have to go to get field experience in psychology

[fsuplayer]

so you're gonna leave the bimmer with me right? /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[peachy]

I know the country is dangerous...and i know things like dont drink the water (im very food sensitive anyway) and i also have what lil things i can take like a "not" gonna help stun gun and mase, I took kick boxing for about 12 yrs and tae kwon do as well - so i think im gonna be a TINY bit better off than the other few people going - although not much. I know they kidnap for ransom and murder down there - theres not much i can do about this but leave all my jewelry and nice things here (which i wouldnt dream of taking them there). I also have a health condition thats gonna make it hard - but i have a doctors # from here that will be somewhere near where i am going plus a flight to tx is about 30ish minutes away.

Besides all that im really looking forward to it. I get to work with lil children and see mayan ruins, climb a volcano, etc on the weekends. Its only for a month, so i think i can last through anything for a month.

Oh yeah - I have to "live" with a family in thier home - language barrier...yup

[peachy]

[ QUOTE ]
so you're gonna leave the bimmer with me right? /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

im gonna miss driving her /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]
and i know things like dont drink the water (im very food sensitive anyway)

[/ QUOTE ]

Get a PUR hiker/scout/explorer.

The scout/explorer are the same just different sizes. The hiker is tiny but lacks virus protection. Get carbon filter add on for taste/chemicals.

MSR MIOX is also an amazing little gadget that you should also check out. But PUR is the only way to go for filters. On expeditions I use both.

Peachy, what guns do you have? 9 guns is more than what Zeno has, not bad./images/graemlins/grin.gif I only have 1 /images/graemlins/frown.gif but it is a big one. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also you have a BMW? You're in college!! What does your dad do?

[stanky]

Are you taking your beads to Guatemala? /images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Pete

[peachy]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
and i know things like dont drink the water (im very food sensitive anyway)

[/ QUOTE ]

Get a PUR hiker/scout/explorer.

The scout/explorer are the same just different sizes. The hiker is tiny but lacks virus protection. Get carbon filter add on for taste/chemicals.

MSR MIOX is also an amazing little gadget that you should also check out. But PUR is the only way to go for filters. On expeditions I use both.

Peachy, what guns do you have? 9 guns is more than what Zeno has, not bad./images/graemlins/grin.gif I only have 1 /images/graemlins/frown.gif but it is a big one. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Also you have a BMW? You're in college!! What does your dad do?

[/ QUOTE ]

hahaha i have MORE than 9...only 9 r with me at the moment - they range from a desert eagle to a Nirinco Chinese assult rifle (which i dont keep here) it was given to me by my dad right before clinton passed the bans

if u want me to list them all i will but didnt know if u were that interested /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[wacki]

if u want me to list them all i will but didnt know if u were that interested

I asked the question, didn't I?

Got any photos?

This is what I have:

Well, it's not a pic of mine but it's basically the same. I have a different scope though.

http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sav_10fp2.jpg

[peachy]

an old Derringer of my granddads - he gave it to me cause i was the girl
an antique elephant gun - which i keep at my dads - also inherited - ill have to go by there to get a picture of it and the make
9mm Luger
Luger revolver
Desert Eagle
Nirinco Chinese assult rifle - this i had pictures of scanned but i believe they r on one of my laptops so ill either have to find them or go take more (this gun is kept at my dads in a safe for obvious reasons)
S&W .357 Magnum
A few Barettas
Ruger .38
all i can remember off hand without pulling the cases out...

And then the rest of the hand guns and rifles/shotguns that are kept at my dads r too numerous to name and r mostly his:
ranging from pump action Remingtons - to .22's and so on, id have to go home and look at these because these r too big and almost unless for me to keep with me and i only use them target practicing with my dad or shooting skeet or hunting (BOO!)

hehe this ok or u want more detail??

[tbach24]

I've heard that a Desert Eagle can dilocate your shoulder if you don't hold it properly...is this true?

[peachy]

it hasnt mine ever LOL and my sis has one too and shes never had a problem...but then again...ive grown up with guns and known the proper way to hold ones since 5. Honestly some of our rifles/shotguns hurt my shoulder more than my eagle (mainly because i dont shoot them as often) so logically i would think they could do more damage if held wrong (but then again they r against MY should)...but anyways its by far one of my favorite guns...nevertheless they do have a nice kick to them ggrrr but then again im a girl!! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ive been looking for antique german handguns /images/graemlins/frown.gif ive shot a few and man o man i love them...i wouldnt have it to shoot though...just to have /images/graemlins/frown.gif i just have find any i like in good condition at a "reasonable" price

[tbach24]

The Desert Eagle scene in Snatch is awesome. That gun is ridiculously powerful. My headmaster has this old musket and I got to shot a blank. My only experience with a gun ever. It was cooooooooool (but noisy and make lots of smoke go off in my face).

[peachy]

its been years since i saw that movie...i dont remember the sence

[Fratony]

Desert Eagles are amazing weapons, very powerful and compact (for the punch). However, they are so unefficient and worthless if you break it down. What do you need a handgun for? killing people. You dont need something this powerful to do that, a glock or .45 is a much better choice in almost every aspect.

[peachy]

the reason i got it wasnt FOR killing people...ive used alot of different hand guns and i loved this one...i use it for target practice/recreation...its prime purpose CURRENTLY is not for killin poeple...that is until my psycho switch flips

[Fratony]

[ QUOTE ]
the reason i got it wasnt FOR killing people...ive used alot of different hand guns and i loved this one...i use it for target practice/recreation...its prime purpose CURRENTLY is not for killin poeple...that is until my psycho switch flips

[/ QUOTE ]
HAHA, well, as far as i know a desert eagle isnt any more accurate than a .45 or numerous other handguns and it's a hell of a lot heavier and more expensive. Correct me if i am wrong.

[peachy]

i didnt say it was any more accurate, if u take proper care of ur gun...i just said i like them alot and i use this gun for target practice b/c its one of mah favorites. Yes they r quite a penny when compared to other guns, but there is just something about using this gun that i love...i cant describe it.

[wacki]

scary places for sure. but the state dept always puts up warnings. but staying in lighted places where there are other people around keeps you out of danger mostly. dress like the locals then you arent identifed as someone worth paying attention to.
carry a small mag flashlight. one about 4 or 5 inches in lenght . takes two aa batteries. this works great for thrusting into someones face or ribcage. and its legal everywhere to carry and the flashlight comes in handy.
never let anyone get whithin 30 feet- thats my distance- in a place where you dont feel safe. stay that far away and they cant get you. and if they start coming closer with you going away then you know its time to take action. whatever that action may be. always wear shoes that you can run in.
i wouldnt have a weapon in a foreign country as you may end up worse off for that. except maybe for a folding knife.

Here is Ray Zee's advice. I'm not sure what he meant about being worse off with a weapon. Anybody have any details?

[jakethebake]

[ QUOTE ]
hahaha im real tan and have dark hair....will that help?? hahaha

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought you were bald. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[wacki]

She is a habitual liar and it's getting old.

[jakethebake]

[ QUOTE ]
She is a habitual liar and it's getting old.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know. I was kiddin'.

[wacki]

I know you were kidding. Feel free to keep pointing out how obvious she is. Talking to someone on the internet gives you enough to worry about, but when they are being fake on the internet, I lose all interest.

[Ray Zee]

in all foreign countries i know of, carrying a weapon will send you straight to jail. and you dont want to be in jail in a foreign country. and certainly not shooting or hurting one of their citizens with your illegal weapon. no matter what they were going to do. you are better off being robbed.

[peachy]

o im not taking a gun...i have this horrible invinsibility complex though that gets me into trouble...i just hope i keep it into check there and dont cop one of my "i dont think so" wench attitudes i usually have...

I wasnt looking for like WEAPON advice here heheh i can defend myself alright...and if something happens it happens nothing i can do will help it...

i was looking more for location information...humidity (like is it worse than GA! haha) ive looked it up but it doesnt give alot of detail...plus like what the foods like since im picky and have a med condition...plus like how much of a barrier is the language gonna put on me if i give myself a crash course (i had 6/7 yrs of french...so i think that will help a LITTLE)