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Tag Archives: guatemala
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes 12 – They Only Want Your Loot
[I'm on the road in the United States at the moment--my apologies for the infrequent blog entries. Will be back to normal after 7 days]
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes are “deleted scenes” from my book. Think of them as a “Special Features” disc for a DVD yet to be invented. This incident took place in the Peten region of Guatemala…
The light through the window lay across my chest in a square pattern, broken by the lazy sweep of a ceiling fan. It was a picture straight out of Joseph Conrad; a movie version of a malarial sickroom. I appreciated the exotic image and knew it would make a great story, but it wasn’t so cool with no one there to see it.
Posted in Central America, Vagabond Dreams Outtakes
Tagged central america, flores, guatemala, Mana, peten, road wisdom, Ryan Murdock, travel, travel writing, vagabond, vagabond dreams
1 Comment
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes # 9 – A Viewfinder for You
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes are “deleted scenes” from my book. Think of them as a “Special Features” disc for a DVD yet to be invented. This incident took place in the highlands of Guatemala…
Something had been nagging at me during my entire interlude in Antigua. I wasn’t sure what it was, and so I waited for it to reveal itself. I did magic tricks for the children of the vendors, the tricks Zack had taught me on Ometepe. I read books and wrote in my notebook in the sun. With my dark tan and Nica shirt, I blended in well enough that a tourist with a Spanish phrasebook asked me for directions to the post office. I simply waited like that until, one day, I finally realized what it was. I cannot abide time.
Posted in Travel philosophy, Vagabond Dreams Outtakes
Tagged guatemala, road wisdom, Ryan Murdock, travel philosophy, vagabond, vagabond dreams
4 Comments
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes # 6 – Everything But Peace
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes are “deleted scenes” from my book. Think of them as a “Special Features” disc for a DVD yet to be invented. This incident took place in Guatemala…
On Saturday nights musicians played in the Park. The mournful brassy wail of their trumpets was the soul of Latin America expressed as a dirge. It reverberated with an ache that struck my soul, transmitting the feeling of desperate longing, of tarnished dreams, the dull hope that persists despite the reality of poverty–in short, the very feeling of a sad-eyed people at their lowest, most trampled-upon ebb. Anyone who has heard it and who has walked those streets will understand what I mean.
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes # 5 – Time’s Sunbaked Cycle
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes are “deleted scenes” from my book. Think of them as a “Special Features” disc for a DVD yet to be invented. This incident took place in Guatemala…
Antigua in the highlands. Mayan Indian women and children strolled through the Parque Central dressed in brightly patterned traditional embroidery. Round baskets, balanced on their heads, were filled to overflowing with vibrantly stitched artisanias for sale: bracelets, wallets, change purses, necklaces, scarves, shirts and more. Five boys sold roasted cashews from burlap bags strung around their necks; they carried a metal scale slung over one shoulder with twine.
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes # 2 – Alone in a Crowd
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes are “deleted scenes” from my book. Think of them as a “Special Features” disc for a DVD yet to be invented. This incident took place in Guatemala…
During highland evenings a damp chill replaced the setting sun.
The park was filled with couples. Old couples walked arm in arm, dressed as though for a first date. Young couples clung to each other on secluded benches, their passionate kisses generating a heat that staved off the cold. Empty promises and romantic nonsense flowed between them like liquid moonlight. Teenaged boys posed and snuck glances at giggling girls, who were sneaking glances back at them.
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes #1 – Avarice Disturbs My Immediacy
Vagabond Dreams Outtakes are “deleted scenes” from my book. Think of them as a “Special Features” disc for a DVD yet to be invented. This incident took place in the highlands of Guatemala…
Within days I had become a regular in the Parque Central and the vendors left me alone. But on the day of my arrival I was constantly assailed. Most went away after two or three polite “Non, gracias.” One didn’t.
Posted in Central America, Travel stories, Vagabond Dreams Outtakes
Tagged antigua, central america, guatemala, travel, vagabond dreams
2 Comments