Approximately an hour east of El Estor, we stopped at Finca Paraigo to chill out and cool off before a long, hot ride. Feels so good!

Another beautiful scene in the Guatemalan countryside.

A perfect expression to capture our driving experience in Guatemala ...

... but all turned out ok.

Banana plantations are common in the region of El Estor and along the humid western coast of Guatemala. However, these plantations are an indication of the phenomenon of neo-liberalization where the Guatemalan government sold once communal lands to private investors. The result is the displacement of the poor indigenous to benefit the rich investors. Commonly, indigenous communities are forcibly removed from their traditional lands where they survived for thousands of years. Although supporters of development in poorer countries may feel that the communities benefit, inadequate salaries are often paid to indigenous workers on these large fincas (from $20 to $45 quetzales or ~$6.50 Canadian per day depending on the finca size), often workers must leave their families for extended periods of time to work on the fincas, poor working conditions are common, and the work is seasonal thus limiting their ability to provide in the off season. These realities understandably escalate community frustration and dissatisfaction with foreign investment.
(Photo credit: Catherine Nolin)

The magnificent church in the Municipality of Rabinal's central square. This colonial Baroque church was built in 1572.
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)

Although the church appears quite, in the evening, I sat for a while in the back pew during a service along with many parishioners and thought about the strength of faith that religion provides to these people who have faced and continue to face many hardships.
(Photo credit: JP Laplante)