Hi there! I finally made my way back to Guatemala, just on time for my one year anniversary. I had been away for over two months, and thankfully the trip back was less eventful than the way out via Cancun. I flew to Atlanta where I had a 12 hour layover, I thought about contacting a few bloggers there but it was from 8pm to 8 am and without transportation it seemed complicated to get out for dinner and then go back to the airport super early on my own.
Anyway, while trying to make it to the transit flight, I needed to print my boarding pass for the Atlanta-Guatemala flight, and the lady from Delta asked if I had a return ticket back to France. Now that was a first. I knew they could deny your boarding in Paris if you go to the US with a one way ticket but thought as long as you leave the US they couldn’t care less about the next country, especially if it is a small fish like Guatemala. Turns out the lady said I needed a visa! I showed her my many stamps, told her I always got there with a one way ticket then bought a return, and EU citizens get 90 days on arrival, she wouldn’t listen. She said if I was denied entry, Delta would be fined heavily, so I needed to buy a ticket out of Guatemala.
She assured me that any cheap e-ticket could be refunded within 24 hour of purchase, I asked for written confirmation, she said no. She let me see Delta’s website that said most e-tickets were refundable but didn’t clearly explain which ones. I told her there was no way I was buying a $3,000 one way ticket to Paris and risking it was non refundable, and finding myself stuck in Guatemala with my loss. I asked her why was I even allowed boarding in Paris, she said it was a mistake and I shouldn’t have. So I told her well, I can’t stay in the US on a one way ticket either so if you deny me boarding what happens?
“You have to fly back to France”
“And since it is your mistake for letting me board, who pays for that flight?”
“You”
“Why should I pay for your mistakes?”
“Well it is either that or you would get deported, and you don’t want to be deported”
“I don’t want to be deported, or stay one more day in the US, I want to board my flight to Guatemala for which I have a booked ticket!”
She then got bored, called someone in NY, and came back without a word, printed my boarding pass and wished me a nice flight within clenched teeth.
I was so relieved I left without asking why she changed her mind.
I was also coming back with a few concerns. First, we started renting out our house on Airbnb, and that has been going really well, but a couple was due early November and I wanted to get there before they did to make sure the house was impeccable, however BF had to do lots of things in Guatemala City so I was worried we wouldn’t make it on time.
Then, because in our absence, it rained A LOT. We already had weathered a little storm that damaged our boat back in March, but this time it was days of heavy rains, and even the handyman/maid couple warned us as they were worried about the lake rising and rising. Those are the before pictures. The water pump is in the small hut at the end of the beach, and the beach is a couple of meters wide.
The French bowls field on the left is way out of the water and so is the deck.
When you walked under the deck, you had water up to the waist at most.
After a couple of weeks of rain, they decided to take the water pump away from the lake shore as it is not submersible and the water was getting close. The problem is it is not just plug and play, so now BF has to connect it again, that means buying new pipes and welding them, as well as new electric wires for the pump to work. Oh, and in the meanwhile, we don’t have running water. And neither do our Airbnb guests! Hence the urgency to get back and fix it before they get there.
Those are the after pictures. The deck is almost in the water, but we are of the lucky few because most neighbors have their decks under water. Now you can’t walk under the deck, the water has risen about 1 meter. The sunsets are still gorgeous though.
The beach is gone, the French bowls field is surviving but its containing stone wall partly fell in the water, and BF had to unplug the water pump and put it on the field, at the far left end. It is working hectically so far.
On the land development project, things have been going really well. While we were away, we left a lawyer in charge of following up with the bureaucratic process, and he got most of the plots approved by the cadaster! That is over 90 out of 100 plots, the remaining 8 or so need to go through another process as they are the closest to the shore, they need to pay a concession to the state and can’t be owned in full ownership, that is a lease. It was surprising as the whole property, including those 8 plots were previously held in full ownership, but it looks like they can recall previous crooked moves mistakes and put it back to a lease. It doesn’t matter much, as that part of the land will stay as green areas and maybe we’ll build a few amenities for people to camp, some hotels bungalows or commercial buildings… Either way, it will remain property of the condo and not be sold to private owners.
In the meanwhile, the 90+ plots have to go through one last register, called the Register of Property. That is where you go with your approved map from the cadaster and register the land to your name. In order to do that, we need another lawyer to write a super complicated document with the coordinates of all plots and how they are now going to be split from the original land, and what is remaining will be the public areas for streets and gardens. If they make one small mistake, it will be rejected and we’ll lose more time. BF has hired a friend who is extremely competent to handle that delicate matter so hopefully the first time will work out. And of course, you have to pay some registry fees on top of the lawyer’s fee, in total that should be another 3 to 4 grand, knowing the cadaster already charged around $1,500 to do pretty much the same job, locate the plot, confirm it exists and we legally own it. I don’t know what else needs to be done but that’s the way it works and it should take another 3-4 months, after which (fingers crossed) we will start selling our plots.
We already had an offer to buy the whole property for more than we put in so far, but rejected it. With proper titles, the plots will be worth way more than they are today, as potential buyers won’t need to go through that tedious process.
All in all, a lot has happened since one year ago, I’ll do a pictures update when things calm down a little so you can see all the progress. Oh, and the water thing? almost fixed. So if you want to rent a room near Tikal, Guatemala, just click here for details. Thanks!
What is happening on your little corner of the world?
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I love the sunset over the water! We really do want to come and visit one day!
Wow, that is crazy about your flight situation on your way back. I don’t know why, but so many of the airlines are just completely backwards and have no sense of providing good service. Glad you made it back safely though. 🙂
thanks John, it is good to be home.
Wow, that is so cool that you have those plots and will get to sell them individually! What a great side hustle. Glad you made it out of Atlanta (and to Guatemala- not France)!
haha yes, that would have been expensive and frustrating!
I’m glad the water situation wasn’t worse! Best of luck with the paperwork regarding the property.
Delta is one airline I wish would go bankrupt. Their attitude is absolutely appalling. I have horror stories of Delta as well and I know it is only a matter of time before they run themselves to the ground. Sorry to hear about your ordeal.
Those pictures look absolutely gorgeous! I’m sure you were glad to be back!
Yes I am. After a few months of adventure there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed.
You are such an experienced traveler. With that Delta problem and the cop in Morocco, I would have probably done whatever they wanted with the fear I’d end up in some holding cell for misplaced travelers. Glad you are home safe. It looks so warm and wonderful there.
With experience comes confidence, I have tried being nice a few times but playing arrogant usually works faster so..
Glad you made it home, safe and sound. Travel is always an adventure and thankfully you didn’t end up buying a ticket out of Guatemala in order to get home. Crazy! Beyond the whole rising water issue, I love your deck and the sunset is beautiful. I think the sun setting over water is one of the most beautiful, relaxing sights.
It is really beautiful, we have almost the same view from the bed, which always makes me wonder what I did to get so lucky.
I work for CBP so I have a pretty good idea of why the Delta lady was freaking out. If you want my explanation shoot me an email, it really isn’t that interesting though.
Those before and after pictures are amazing! How much extra would it cost for a submersible pump? Or would the maintenance on it not be worth it?
The problem with a submersible pump are the fishermen and the many people who just cross by the beach with water to the waist and could damage the pipes. It would be easier to steal as well. That may be our option for the land development though.
Wow. That looks like it would be amazing to just lay in a hammock over the water at sunrise! So jealous right now 🙂
it is pretty neat. that is my office too most days, I’ve seen worse…
It’s really incredible everything you’ve gone through the past year. I’ve had so much fun reading these updates : ) I always hang on every word, and I can’t say that about just about any other blog post/update. Maybe I am just living vicariously through you? Anyway this is incredible -> “She then got bored, called someone in NY, and came back without a word, printed my boarding pass and wished me a nice flight within clenched teeth.” If you weren’t so stubborn you might not have gotten the boarding pass printed and on your flight. I’m pretty resilient when issues arise and I know a company is to blame, and almost without exception it’s paid off.
thank you! I was amazed she let me board, but then again she wouldn’t want an illegal migrant on her hands.
Did the animals fare well when you were gone this time? They didn’t do so well last time with the crooked and lazy man who was watching them.
Yes, it was pretty amazing, we gave them a shot before leaving and in the village many people lost all their animals to some kind of flu, we had a couple of deaths but overall a good survival rate, and 6 little ducks were born, they are super cute.
Hey mate,
What a disaster that sounded like, wow. I wouldn’t have paid the $3000 either, no way. I’m glad you got it all sorted out. Sounds like the plots are coming along for you both, I’m happy. If I ever want to come visit.. I know I’m in good hands. Cheers Pauline…
oh that would be fun! it is warm and sunny at the moment 🙂
Nice to hear a great development on your land invest. I like having a simple hut and deck over the water. It looks romantic to unwind with your partner.
What a crazy airline story. Why is it that the airline industry seems like it is stuck in the past? Glad to hear you’re back!
I remember when this all started and you first moved there! Crazy how much you have accomplished! I need to give some serious thought to visiting! Glad you made it back safe and sound.
What an ordeal, I’m glad you made it home safe! My sister is a seasoned world traveler and has many similar stories about weird airline rules and regs. One time she got “stuck” in China and they almost wouldn’t let her leave the country because of some weird visa issue. Thankfully she charmed her way out. Bf and I would absolutely love to come rent out your place. Neither of us have been to Guatemala, but after seeing your photos and reading your stories I’m more and more interested in visiting.
It is a wonderful place. Mexico is much more organized and easy for the traveler, Guatemala is rough but like a rough gem it is really worth it.
Eternally entertaining and humorous!!! Hope you are well, Pauline!