Charlevoix county herald., 1911-12-02

III going uOWH tDe WeSteiH So"Se W
Panama, one will find it decidedly
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
peep at things. Finding the country
SO interesting, we left our ship and
stayed over for the next one which
arrived ten days later. party OF us
planned to go to the city, and we were
all 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. It's
course was directed by men in the
lighter, who grabbed the ropes at
tached to 1t 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 hovered suspiciously over our
heads before it was finally lowered.
All the while, the lighter, unless we'll
balanced with cargo, is the victim OF
the caprices of the swells. If one is
inclined to be seasick, the suspense OIL
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
train was waiting that took us to he
tahuleu, little Indian village, where
we remained for the night.
Right after leaving the station oul
train. the Guatemala Central, plunged
into the thickest tropical growth. i
was very warm, but the constan
change of scenery made us forget ou
condition. After an hour or so W.
stopped at Blanco Caballo. Here W.
got our first glimpse OF native life
There was whole street of bamboo
huts with native men and womei
lounging about the open door and hall
clad children dreamily watching tn
train. Tall cocoanut palms grew ev
erywhere. Vendors were selling tn
cocoanuts through the train windows
We tried some of the milk, it bein
considered very refreshing, but as tn
cocoanuts were not ripe, we did nc
like the taste. The natives drink tn
milk of the unripe cocoanuts. We 5oul
neyed on and reached Retahuleu tire
and dusty.
Due to a fiesta in town, people ha
come from everywhere. Fiestas mus
mean a great deal to these poor nj
tives, for they were there in drove
and while they do not show their el
thusiasm no happening escapes the
notice.
Crowded Quarters.
The hotel landlady was able to a
commodate us with only one room,
the eight ladies took that while IL
! gentlemen of the party were lookt
after elsewhere. The next mornir
the eight of us made q hasty toll
, with the aid Of one candle and
four-by-four-inch mirror sadly lackir
in rejecting quality.
The train once more plunged in
rich dense foliage, now more beau
e full than before, with pretty roa
v here and there leading to distant
. lagos. We passed miles and miles
coffee, banana and sugar-cane plant
: tions. besides many of cocoanut, wi
= here and there SCARED rubber tree
In many pl6 banana trees ov'
> Tapped the tram and we rode throu
IS a canopy Of green.
q At Escuintla we changed cars a
|, had a two-hour wait. From Escuin
on, we made a very perceptible cir
c. in reaching Guatemala City, which
l. 600 feet above sea level. The trs
/. makes many turns in winding rou
!" the mountains, and we get glimpses
lie little villages we passed earlier In
rt day.
20 After leaving Escuintla the tr'
% travels for some distance before sic
~ ing I'D at Palm, the next largest st
ID Indian women in the proverbial nat
- costume crowd the station with b
- kets of fruit on their heads. sol
as times supported by one hand while
s. baby peacefully sleeps tied to tn
backs. All the while they call tn
fruits and wares in a soft STAGE
ry voice. These women are short,
n we'll built and seem to be superior
.l appearance to others we saw.
On to Guatemala City.
The Guatemala Central follows