The Guides

Sometimes as a travel editor I forget about the people that matter the most when I land at an airport. I forget that they helped me get a grasp of a place I do not live. They are the ones that deal with foreign visitors. Camera wielding, spoiled, bath robed bastards, yes I am one! I try, but on occasion, I slip into Guide Forget Mode! Every once in a while I get an e-mail from one that has suffered because of my choices. Left a family behind to traipse in my fantasy. Schlepped through mud, madness and mayhem so I could report! Got an e-mail from one of the best in Guatemala recently. She read my piece on GoNOMAD and filled me in. Ivania Sibrian is a Guatemalan treasure. We traveled hard roads, but she always smiled, even when I didn’t. Here is an excerpt from her report:

I am glad that now you had lost your fever about snakes, they are not as bad
as they look.
One month ago in Lanquin in the department of Coban I small coral snake fell
from a tree, just in front of my head, and all I think in that moment was
IVANIA RUN.
The snake was more skared of me than I was, but for 1 second I was in panic.
But in my job I am so close to them that finally I am getting us to them.
Hope see you soon and next time you visit Guatemala remember just to ask for
5 star hotels.

I love this woman and how she handles a Gringo. I remember sending an e-mail to Max, I think it stared as **** you. The yellow snake was on the beams above. He told me it would be a trip I would always remember. It was, and so is Ivania. No better hands than this great guide could be expected! Here is her contact number: 502 2334-9847.