Centrally located and not too touristic, we decided Cobán would be a good place to relax and not do much more than catch up on the blog and on sleep. We quickly realized Cobán was not the most tranquil, that Cobán was actually where many of the campesinos from all over western Guatemala had convened to protest. Despite the slight tumultuousness, we ended up staying nearly a week, in part because we really appreciated the 100Q-for-two hotel, in part because we found the perfect workplace at a local creperie.

First stop, lunch, where all the employees were working on protest signs. His shirt reads “Rompe la cadena de la corrupción” –Break the chain of corruption.

Central Park, afternoon protest

Central Park, evening protest

Plaza Central Cathedral

Guate pride

Full moon, eerie green lighting

#YoNoTengoPresidente #27A (for the 27th of August)

Firework display, the closest protesters at most ten feet away

Central Park, evening vigil

The next day we headed up to the church on the hill, El Calvario, to look out over Cobán

Faded painting on the window shutter

Cobán’s electrical-line situation gives Xela a run for its money

Workspace views

Workplace fauna

Weather drama

We saw this front-page at a cantina, and Julien made it his mission to find where this precise shot was taken

Mission accomplished

Over breakfast our last morning in Cobán, great news showed up on the front page: “Historic Decision, President loses immunity.