[ShanC]

A girl that just returned from a mission trip in Guatemala City told me that I'm basically nuts for going to visit by myself(well, I'm going with someone, just not my husband this time) Then she said I would be putting my daughter's life in jeopardy if we were to take her on the pickup trip! I said, oh we'll be in a nice hotel and near the embassy, we aren't walking out around the bad parts and she said that the whole city is bad and that the smell made her literally puke as soon as they left the airport and that there's all sorts of disease and muggers. Ummm...thanks for giving me confidence and dashing my joy about my upcoming trip. I don't know what to think. Is it really that bad? From what I've read, it isn't bad if you stay in the hotel zone, but now I'm a bit scared about it!

[kadkins]

We visited in February and it was WONDERFUL!!!! I was a little nervous before we arrived, but now I am trying to work it out so I can return to wait it out with our son in July. I was not scared the entire time we were there. We visited the Market, went to the Mall and layed by the pool all week. Do not let people worry you about the trip. Just be cautious about taking the baby out of the hotel. Enjoy!!!

[cdohogne]

We just returned on Wednesday and I thought it was great! I guess some people overreact! Everyone was friendly and we had absolutely no problems! Although,it you get beside one of those buses then they take off the fumes are a little strong! Go, have a safe trip just use your common sense!

[WyattsDad]

If you were taking the baby out into town, or remote areas for purposes of tourism, you might have problems. We stayed at the Marriot about a week ago with our little one for a visit and had a blast. We were safe, secure, and found plenty to do. Don't listen to those discouraging you. Just plan on sticking around the hotel (surrounded by armed guards and 10 foot high walls with razor wire) and you will have the time of your life - we did!

[snshaner]

My husband and I were there in Dec and then again the end of April for our pick up trip! We had NO problems - but you have to be smart about the whole deal. We never left the hotel (Marriott) until after we had our embassy appt and paperwork to prove she was ours - we went to the Market by the airport and dh walked to a store nearby a couple of times for powdered milk with no problems. There was a demonstration in front of our hotel on our embassy day and we did not go out during that, but it was over in an hour or two and we were fine. I went to the return embassy appt by myself! We had a great time getting to know our daughter, playing in the pool, doing a little shopping and just overall relishing in the fact that we were finally parents who were getting to bring our child home!
Have a wonderful trip - you will do just fine!

[aportell67]

We visited our daughter at the beginning of May and it was amazing! We were a little nervous at first because of hearing the same sorts of things you have, but you just need to use your common sense like you would in any big city. We did not take our baby out of the hotel while she was with us, but the last evening we were there (and the baby was back with her FM), my husband and I went out to eat at a nice restaurant and then did a little shopping. We felt totally safe. We are eager to go back and visit Antigua on the pick-up trip and we are taking our 3 boys with us.

Just use good judgment and you'll be fine!

[Kimberj71]

There will always be people who feel insecure and uncomfortable in places and cultures that are not their own.

I agree with what the others have said. If you are visiting, stay in the hotel. We never left the hotel with the babies before we had their birth certificate with our names on it except to go to the Embassy. We never went out at night unless we were with our attorney who knew the city. Guatemala City is a huge city, and like many huge cities there are all sorts of people and lots of pollution.

I noticed most when we got out of the airport the moisture in the air. And how green and beautiful even the plants along side the roads were. There is always some kind of flowering tree blooming some where. We've been in November, March, and May and there's always flowers. I loved the honking horns of the cars and busses and motorcycles and the hap hazzard driving!

I think your take on Guatemala will depend on what you want to get out of it. If you go in with a positive attitude and some caution, you will end up really enjoying the bits you see. I know it's our goal to bring the whole family back in 10 years for a month or so of Spanish school and tourism stuff. And then my husband and I would love to go back once the kids are grown to do mission work there.

It's my bet you'll fall in love with it too. It's my second favorite country in the whole world!

Kim

[sassafrass]

I visited Guat six times during my adoption and loved every one of them. The people are great. The food is good. The country is beautiful.
I brought my baby home in jan 04. I am going back in July because I really miss all the people and culture I have gotten to know thru the process.

Remember, some people are very closed minded to new and different things. You need to go and decide for yourself. Use you common sense and you will be fine.
I have walked the streets of the city (not alone) and been all over. I have NEVER felt my life was in danger.

I am going in july and I am bringing my Guat princess (17 months) and my 7 year old bio. I am going WITHOUT my husband. As I have 4 times before. I cannot wait to show them this lovely place.

I hope this eases your mind!

[csw]

Hi
I went 4x...2x totally by myself...the first time I stayed for 10 days on my first trip..and even stayed overnight in Antigua as well..walked all over the place in Antigua..in GC I was ok'd to leave the hotel..went to the zoo, 2 museums, tour of GC zone 1..lots of different resteraunts etc..never felt unsafe...I lived in Antigua from March 10th to March 30th by myself (with my baby of course). I also visited Lake Atitlan with the baby on my last trip.
Even drinking and brushing teeth with only bottled water..and really watching what I ate..I did get sick 3 out of 4 times I went..the last time I cooked my own food in my townhouse and never got sick...that is the only drawback I had was GI upset..bring some anti-diarrheal meds just in case,,and if you do get sick there are lots of doc's and pharmacies around..(we just went into a pharmacy and asked for Cipro and they handed it right to us..my husband and I were so ill and trying to take care of two kids..after 1 day we were much better)..
Go, have a great time..it is the rainy season now, but it only rains for a couple of hours at the most a day..then its nice,,
zone 10 is an "exclusive" ritzy zone..just be carefull like you would in any city...Cathy

[Brie Brock]

We are planning our first trip in July to visit. We are taking our 11 yr old daughter with us. Yes I am a bit nervous too. We have a nephew who is in Guatemala right now in the Peace Corps, he encouraged us to visit and take our daughter...he said "you'll love it"

So I'm with you...a bit nervous but doing it!!

Good Luck,

Brie

[becky]

Shan,

The first time I went to Guatemala to visit Bella when she was 1 month old, I went alone.

It was the most terrifying experience of my life. I had never seen anything like it...the machine-gun toting guards everywhere, the people at the airport trying to grab my luggage to 'carry it for me'. It was very frightening to me being out of the US for the first time, and being by myself in a country where I did not speak the language.

The first night I arrived there was a huge party going on on the street below my hotel...people were yelling, screaming, and at one point I could have sworn someone was being killed outside the hotel...it went on all night long (this was a Saturday night).

I was thrilled to meet my baby...but I hated Guatemala. I wanted to come home so badly!!

I was so traumatized after the trip that I seriously considered having her escorted home. But in the end, I did not want to add a 4-6 wait on to the end of the process...so I decided I would travel once again to get her.

The second trip was completely different. I took my 13 year old daughter with me and Rudy Rivera from COTW was there on the trip as well, so he handled everything at the embassy...I just sat and played with Bella. I had a great time the second trip. I went during the week (everything was perfectly quiet at night!), I went shopping during the day, saw some sites, enjoyed some restaurants...my daughter and I had a great time. What was the difference? I guess I knew what to expect the second time...it is different than the US...so be prepared for that. Plus having someone travel with me made a HUGE difference...just having company put me so much more at ease.

Enjoy yourself, you and your friend will have a lot of fun!

[Belenbaby]

We went the first time in Jan to visit our daughter, we brought our 10 yr old. The hogar driver took us all over Guate city. to the zoo, and market place. And to the Palace court. It was wonderful and I never felt unsafe. Then I went back and stayed 1 month alone with the baby in a hotel. Iwas completely safe and treasured every moment. The water at the big hotels is purified so I never had a problem. and the food is wonderful! After embassy appt. we went to antigua and ate in a wonderful restaurant. If you do go out, hire a tour guide. ask on here -there are many wonderful people in Guate. They are the nicest culture I have ever come across! Have fun.

[Belenbaby]

one more thing - I was so scared before i went - that is normal. and most friends and family were very upset we were taking our son. It was so worth it. HE will never forget this wonderful experience!