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scifisteve59

stephen baruday

@scifisteve59

Member

American looking for information about Guatemala

Forum posts

24

About me

American

Lives in Tampa

Speaks english

Registration: 19 March 2013

Activity

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
HippieMama

2013 Trip to Lake Atitlan by HippieMama

When I first joined this site, I was planning on visiting Guatemala for the first time in January 2013. Our plans have changed somewhat, but I am glad to say that we are still planning to go to Guatemala for the first time in 2013...just a little ...

stephen baruday

Hey, TheDQ! Did not know you were going a mini convoy! There is safety in numbers. Just a little heads up you may already be aware of. The guards on the Mexican border can be real trouble as they like giving Americans a bad time. Since you might ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
HippieMama

2013 Trip to Lake Atitlan by HippieMama

When I first joined this site, I was planning on visiting Guatemala for the first time in January 2013. Our plans have changed somewhat, but I am glad to say that we are still planning to go to Guatemala for the first time in 2013...just a little ...

stephen baruday

Oops, I may have been referring to another post.My bad! Nobodies perfect, but I do recall someone mentioning that traveling in peek traffic hours could result in "stopped traffic" which is perfect for thieves on motorbikes.Also someone mentioned ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
HippieMama

2013 Trip to Lake Atitlan by HippieMama

When I first joined this site, I was planning on visiting Guatemala for the first time in January 2013. Our plans have changed somewhat, but I am glad to say that we are still planning to go to Guatemala for the first time in 2013...just a little ...

stephen baruday

Thanks paddyroyal for adding those refinements. I'm glad you were listening, especially since I did not relay your information to me exactly as you said it. Didn't really know about the "Chicken Buses"! Are the private one's safer against robbers? ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
HippieMama

2013 Trip to Lake Atitlan by HippieMama

When I first joined this site, I was planning on visiting Guatemala for the first time in January 2013. Our plans have changed somewhat, but I am glad to say that we are still planning to go to Guatemala for the first time in 2013...just a little ...

stephen baruday

Yikes! So far my information points to spending a day or two in Antigua. I believe you can take an airport shuttle to there, rest up and then head to the lake. It's a long trip to the lake and you will need a breather before taking that long trip. ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Guategringo

Checkpoints and safety by Guategringo

I found in my time here in Guatemala that checkpoints are a good thing, as long as you are not hiding anything!!!:cool: There have been a rash of robberies by people on motorcycles in Guatemala City. They find stop lights that have long, long lines ...

stephen baruday

Again, great input. It's hard to imagine worse crime in the capital as in the surrounding areas! I would have thought the local police would have more control in densely populated areas, and more resources! Steve Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Julien

5 good reasons for living in Guatemala by Julien

Hi, if someone asks you the best reasons for making the choice to live and stay in Guatemala, what would be your top 5? Thanks in advance for participating, Julien

stephen baruday

I am asking all the questions right now. I do not live there yet and have not even visited yet! So for me, I am asking all the questions as to---what are the pros and cons to living there--this does in fact fall under the heading "What are the best ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Guategringo

Checkpoints and safety by Guategringo

I found in my time here in Guatemala that checkpoints are a good thing, as long as you are not hiding anything!!!:cool: There have been a rash of robberies by people on motorcycles in Guatemala City. They find stop lights that have long, long lines ...

stephen baruday

Thanks, Guategringo. I'll take note of that shuttle service. P.S. TheDQ ! I appreciate that sense of humor! I am a nut myself, but I do have a "well Hidden" mean streak. I prefer to be fun loving and playful, but I don't put up with bullies--never ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Guategringo

Checkpoints and safety by Guategringo

I found in my time here in Guatemala that checkpoints are a good thing, as long as you are not hiding anything!!!:cool: There have been a rash of robberies by people on motorcycles in Guatemala City. They find stop lights that have long, long lines ...

stephen baruday

That makes a lot more sense. You had me worried for a minute. Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Guategringo

Checkpoints and safety by Guategringo

I found in my time here in Guatemala that checkpoints are a good thing, as long as you are not hiding anything!!!:cool: There have been a rash of robberies by people on motorcycles in Guatemala City. They find stop lights that have long, long lines ...

stephen baruday

Good heads up. Like I said, you have to be aware of the areas you are living in. You have first hand knowledge, I do not. It is always a good rule to not play or act "the Victim" in any scenario. Single women in cars are an obvious target and I ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Julien

5 good reasons for living in Guatemala by Julien

Hi, if someone asks you the best reasons for making the choice to live and stay in Guatemala, what would be your top 5? Thanks in advance for participating, Julien

stephen baruday

Scifisteve55 from Tampa, I scrolled, seams pretty good, so long as you don't forget where you are! I will be down there in late October, will spend a few days in Antigua, and then head for the lake! I will be down there for a little over a month. ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Guategringo

Checkpoints and safety by Guategringo

I found in my time here in Guatemala that checkpoints are a good thing, as long as you are not hiding anything!!!:cool: There have been a rash of robberies by people on motorcycles in Guatemala City. They find stop lights that have long, long lines ...

stephen baruday

I personally don't like thieves! I live in a bad part of town in Tampa and I have visited Columbia, in Parada. I usually see trouble before most, but I would not give in--as my first choice! Every situation is different and requires a smart mind ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
scifisteve59

How far are you from the Lake? by scifisteve59

How far are you from the Lake? I found a realtor that has a property near Panajachel for about $400.00 a month. I am going to try and stay near the lake for about a month near the end of October. So any information you can give me would be great. ...

stephen baruday

Yes, the down side is the lake is rising! And I guess there is no way of knowing what it will do next. The good news? The fish are closer to the house! Of, course i am assuming that the lake has eatable fish! Does anyone swim or snorkel in the ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
scifisteve59

How far are you from the Lake? by scifisteve59

How far are you from the Lake? I found a realtor that has a property near Panajachel for about $400.00 a month. I am going to try and stay near the lake for about a month near the end of October. So any information you can give me would be great. ...

stephen baruday

Just to clarify I am scifisteve55, and scifisteve59(updated age) and just Steve. I have a site on you-tube under "scifisteve55", so I tend to use that a lot so people can see my pictures and work, and of course, it has been up for about four ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Julien

5 good reasons for living in Guatemala by Julien

Hi, if someone asks you the best reasons for making the choice to live and stay in Guatemala, what would be your top 5? Thanks in advance for participating, Julien

stephen baruday

I'm scifisteve55, I am surprised a little that someone else has part of my "Call Sign"! Anyway, yes, I would like to hear the five good reasons to move there. I have a friend that has just been down there and that is why I am going to check it out. ... Read More

stephen baruday
scifisteve59 replied to a thread
11 years ago
Guategringo

Checkpoints and safety by Guategringo

I found in my time here in Guatemala that checkpoints are a good thing, as long as you are not hiding anything!!!:cool: There have been a rash of robberies by people on motorcycles in Guatemala City. They find stop lights that have long, long lines ...

stephen baruday

That's good advice to anyone and a nice "heads up"! Every culture has its problems, but you do need to know the "Local" common sense procedures to avoid being robbed or worse. I will be down that way in late October, so all of this is good to ... Read More