Tuktuk mania

Many cities in Guatemala are taken over by tuktuks - in my mind tuktuks are motorcycles with hats on (see image below).

Looking back over the past year and a half, I've realized that tuktuks have played an interesting role in my life here. My first real "tuktuk event" was in Panajachel by the lake. One night a few of us (or more) were out on the town, when around 1am, someone decided we should have a tuktuk race about 1 mile down the road to the lake. The tuktuk drivers were more than enthusiastic and we crowded about 5* (or more) people into each tuktuk and off we went. The race began and we were in the lead, the other tuktuk was behind us and we thought it was a sure win, we drove for about two minutes at full speed, and suddenly the tuktuk behind us was gone! Figuring they had bailed out to buy some street food (we had passed about three delicious taco stands by that point) we headed for the win.

Around one turn, past a street vendor, down a small alleyway and we could almost smell victory. At the last moment however, it was snatched from us; as we approached the finish line we were tragically cut off by none other than the other tuktuk. The driver, knowing a shortcut had taken the other team down a series of small roads and narrowly won the race. Regardless, a good time was had by all.

Another tuktuk incident in my past was not nearly as enjoyable. I had just arrived in Antigua, Guatemala for a Peace Corps event and I had loads of bags and had been traveling for hours so was persuaded by my friends Anna and Kiki to split a tuktuk to our hostel. I have a stuffy nose and a cough, so I was not feeling 100%. After a couple of minutes in the tuktuk, Kiki starts saying, "Guys, this tuktuk stinks, what is that?" or "Anna, Phil, did you rip one what is that smell?", I didn't smell anything and thought she was making the whole thing up. We got out of the tuktuk, the driver headed off, I bent over to pick up my bags only to realize that the back of my pants were wet, from my butt down to my knee, I touched it, and smelled my finger, and sure enough, I had sat in diarrhea.

As you would expect, that last incident put me off tuktuks for a while. They're more expensive than walking and not comfortable at all on the cobblestones. However, this week, while back in Antigua for more Spanish classes and some presentations at the Peace Corps Office, I have been staying just out of town with my friend Aliyya. Close enough to walk in the daylight, but far enough to be a little sketchy at night. I've therefore rekindled my relationship with tuktuks, taking about four this past week alone with no incidents to report. Although there is a rumor that the tuktuks in Momostenango, the municipality of San Vicente is run by a gang that offer illegal tattoos out of the back of them. More research to be done, and I will write if I find anything interesting out.

Until next time - buenas noches y buena suerte

*real number may have been changed