Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-11-20
CLl1ZEnllH- 94SSENGER 5LNV0V

9FN going down the western coast to
n Panama, one will find it decidedly
Fl worth while to stop off at Cham
perico while the ship is taking on
coffee, and run up to Guatemala
City, then catch the ship at the next
port. This, however, affords just a
peep at things. Finding the country
so interesting, We left our ship ana
stayed over for the next one which
arrived ten days later. A party OF US
planned to go to the city, and we were
oil anticipation until Champerico, the
port of Guatemala, was reached.
The ship anchored about mile out
and the cargo was first put off in the
waiting lighters. This helps to steady
them as the swells are quite large
here. We were then lowered down
on the cargo in a basket Manipulated
by a crane The basket swung out
into the air, high above the water. Its
course was directed by men in the
lighter, who grabbed the ropes at
tached to it and landed US safely IN
the center of the cargo. We then
scrambled up on boxes and sacks out
Of the way of the next basket load
that lowered suspiciously over our
heads before it was finally lowered.
All the while, the lighter. unless well
balanced with cargo, is tho victim OF
the caprices of the swells. If one is
inclined to be seasick, the suspense of
waiting for the last basket load TO
land is most aggravating.
On reaching the port, we had an
other basket ride, then went to the
custom house, where our luggage re-
ceived very superficial examination.
Just back of the custom house a
train was waiting that took us TO Re
tahuleu, little Indian village, where
We remained for the night.
Right after leaving the station our
train, the Guatemala Central, plunged
into the thickest tropical growth. II
was very warm, but the constant
change of scenery made US forget our
condition. After an hour or so we
stopped at Blanco Caballo. Here We
got our first glimpse OF native life.
There was whole street OF bamboo
nuts with native men and women
lounging about the open door and half.
clad children dreamily watching the
train. Tall cocoanut palms grew ev.
erywhere. Vendors were selling the
cocoanuts through the train windows.
We tried some of the milk, it being
considered very refreshing, but as the
cocoanuts were not ripe, We did not
like the taste. The natives drink the
milk OF the unripe cocoanuts. We jour.
neyed on and reached Retahuleu tired
and dusty.
Due to fiesta in town, people had
come from everywhere. Fiestas must
mean a great deal to these poor ma
tives, for they were there in droves
and while they do not show their en-
thusiasm no happening escapes their
notice.
Crowded Quarters.
The hotel landlady was able to &C.
commodate US with only one room, so
the eight ladies took that while the
gentlemen Of the party were looked
after elsewhere. The next morning
the eight of us made a hasty toilet
with the aid of one candle and a
four-by-four-inch mirror sadly lacking
in rejecting quality.
The train once more plunged into
rich dense foliage, now more beauti.
full than before, with pretty roads
here and there leading to distant vii
lagos. We passed miles and miles OF
coffee, banana and sugar-cane planta-
tons, besides many Of cocoanut, with
here and there SCARED rubber trees.
In many places the banana trees over
Tapped the train and We rode through
a canopy of green.
At Escuintla We changed cars and
had a two.hour wait. From Escuintla
on, we made avery perceptible climb
in reaching Guatemala City, which is
5000 feet above sea level. The train
makes many turns in winding round
the mountains, and we get glimpses Of
little villages We passed earlier in the
day.
After leaving Escuintla the train
travels for some distance before slow
ing up at Palm, the next largest stop
Indian women in the proverbial native
costume crowd the station with bas
kets of fruit on their heads, some
times supported by one hand while
baby peacefully sleeps tied to their
backs. All the while they call their
fruits and wares in soft staccato
voice. These womens are short but
well built and seem to be superior in
appearance to others We saw.
On to Guatemala City.
The Guatemala Central follows to