ahh... The Caribbean

After about 2 months away from the ocean we´ve made our way back to the big blue. We arrived in Livingston via Rio Dulce and Lago Izabal, only stopping in Rio Dulce long enough to rest our legs and relax under a hot spring fed waterfall. Under the rock formation left by the hot springs is an incredible natural sauna. It was perfect for soothing the Peten tired muscles. Not that life has been demanding since then, we toured the rio Dulce and landed in Livingston and here we sit, two weeks later, still passing the time. Livingston is on the Caribbean coast, only accessible by boat so the only vehicles are the few taxis and delivery trucks that have business around the town. There are no roads in or out. The culture is a great mix of Guatemalan, Garifuna and whatever foreigners stray into town, mostly yachters and budget tourists. When arrived in town we took a room in a building with a gorgeous veranda, crooked and brightly painted and the perfect place to watch the traffic go by. Generally the traffic here is a smattering of cars and trucks, plenty of 150cc or less scooters and motorbikes, lots of bicycles and a full palate of darker than blue to piel canela (cinnamon skin) to I-just-shaved-my-head white pedestrians (plus one albino), all dodging and weaving in the barely two lane street. For the first week we partied in the stream of travelers that passed through our hotel, most people only staying in Livingston for an overnight bed. We met up with Sean and his dancing banjo on the second day and he was like a pied piper for drawing in the strays to sit and enjoy some old timey music in a scene that wouldn´t have been out of place in New Orleans (interesting note: Sean had played at Two Boots in Brooklyn about a year before I worked there). It`s hard to say what has kept us here in Livingston the second week. The people here are kind and even the hustlers are generally well meaning, the waitress at our daily breakfast spot now knows us and our orders and now that we have a room with a kitchen sharing dinners with new friends has been great. For the travelers with a limited amount of time Livingston can be a comfortable and interesting lay over but passing a little while here opens up a whole lovely and welcoming community that has help to recharge those tired traveling batteries. -Dirk