From San Pancho I continued my ride to Poptun, Peten. The week proved to be a wet one as I got rained on almost everyday. At least it kept the weather cool and my ponies happy.
Traveling around Guatemala has been extremely easy for a few reasons. Firstly it is cattle country. All day I ride by ranches which offer a perfect place for my ponies and I to rest. It is a dream. Secondly, there is tons of water and grass. These are two of the most important things on a Long Ride. After riding through places like southern Wyoming and the Chihuahua Desert, I know what its like not to have both. Not fun. Lastly, the Guatemalan people are AMAZING. I arrived in this country not knowing anyone and now I have many friends. From La Libertad I have had a place set up for me to get to almost every night.
Soaked from head to toe, I arrived in Santa Ana Vieja where I was to spend the night. The politician from the night before had arranged for me to stay at a friend’s Finca.
“You are the Brazilian,” a young boy asked me as he opened a large gate.
I said yes, and he began to ask me a million questions. It was so cute. Only 11-years-old, Jose loves horses and he wanted to know everything he could about my ponies and our trip. He said his favorite horse was Bruiser.
“This horse would be amazing for the races,” he said as he looked up at Bruiser wide-eyed.
I agreed telling him about how he comes from a long line of quick Quarter Horses. Jose loved it. After untacking the horses and letting them out, I met Jose’s father and mother and his little brother and sister. The family manages the finca owned by a wealthy man from the capital.
“The boss told me you would be coming today,” Jose’s father said.
This beautiful family cooked me a feast for dinner and even made me sleep in one of their beds. I said no a million times but they said they would be offended if I didn’t. Their generosity made me so emotional. They live so simply in their small house, yet are willing to share all that they have with a complete stranger.
#ThePeopleAreGood
