Antigua Guatemala
24th January 2021
In: Places
Antigua Guatemala
My first experience of Guatemala was from Airport Camp in Belize, whilst serving with the Royal Air Force many years ago. Guatemala has long claimed territorial rights over Belize, the now independent Commonwealth state and until recently, British Armed Forces have had a detachment protecting Belize. When I was there, it was two Harrier jets with a small RAF support team and an army detachment, this ended in 1994 when Guatemala recognised Belize as a sovereign state.
My most recent visit to Guatemala was a few days in the capital Guatemala City followed by a week learning Spanish in the former capital of Antigua.
Antigua is a fabulous colonial type city, a world away from the rest of the country. Along with its beautiful buildings and the Acatenango volcano which at nearly 4000 metres towers above the city, the old capital has an abundance of quaint bars and restaurants along with the more modern bars which cater for the many young gringo gap year students learning Spanish. Indeed, the city is built around Spanish schools offering a week of one-to-one tuition at very reasonable prices. I had a fabulous week learning Spanish at one of the schools before heading back into the crime and poverty of Guatemala.
A true oasis away from it all if ever there was one and a great place to learn Spanish.
My first experience of Guatemala was from Airport Camp in Belize, whilst serving with the Royal Air Force many years ago. Guatemala has long claimed territorial rights over Belize, the now independent Commonwealth state and until recently, British Armed Forces have had a detachment protecting Belize. When I was there, it was two Harrier jets with a small RAF support team and an army detachment, this ended in 1994 when Guatemala recognised Belize as a sovereign state.
My most recent visit to Guatemala was a few days in the capital Guatemala City followed by a week learning Spanish in the former capital of Antigua.
Antigua is a fabulous colonial type city, a world away from the rest of the country. Along with its beautiful buildings and the Acatenango volcano which at nearly 4000 metres towers above the city, the old capital has an abundance of quaint bars and restaurants along with the more modern bars which cater for the many young gringo gap year students learning Spanish. Indeed, the city is built around Spanish schools offering a week of one-to-one tuition at very reasonable prices. I had a fabulous week learning Spanish at one of the schools before heading back into the crime and poverty of Guatemala.
A true oasis away from it all if ever there was one and a great place to learn Spanish.