Ya viene el sol: Dirt, drugs & danger

Guatemala City, Guatemala

I'm in the one place I thought I'd never visit in this country - Guatemala City. Dirt, drugs and danger are words that are often used when talking about this city. But my friend Alberto whom I've been staying with here, reassured me that I had nothing to worry about and that it's completely safe. Then again, everything is relative. Me being Swedish and him being Guatemalteco, we probably don't have the same idea of what's safe and not. Either way I've felt just as safe as anywhere else I've been so far. At least that's what I've been telling myself. (And my parents). Though I must admit that it was a bit creepy when we were walking home after a night out and one block from the house Alberto went:
- Aqui mataron a un amigo mio, (they killed a friend of mine here) and pointed at a phonebooth across the street. Neither was it very pleasant when we entered a sketchy area one night on our way to a bar, and Alberto suddenly put his arm around me and told me that we had to walk faster. Apparently we were in one of the most dangerous areas in Guate with tons of drugdealers and illegal activities. That's exactly the kind of things you like to hear when you're walking around at night in Central America. And I think the fact that Alberto was carrying his brass knuckles with him everytime we went out made me feel more nervous than safe.

I've been here for a week now and nothing has happened so it's all good. We went to the Tigo Fest and saw Chino y Nacho, Don Omar and last but not least - Shakira! It was pretty fucking awesome! That was the reason I came here in the first place, otherwise I probably would have skipped it. Most people do. There's not really a lot to see or do here. But since I've been hanging out with local people that know where to go and what to do it's been enjoyable.

I must add one thing about this place though.
Los hombres.
My god, men here are crazy! I thought I wouldn't stick out that much since it's a big city and I look fairly latina-ish. But no. Here they call me "cancha" or "canchita" - basically "blondie". I recieved flowers twice in three days from random guys. I honestly feel like I'm Shakira. I get comments everywhere I go, at least a 100 per day. "Hola mamita rica", "Que hermosa", "Hola mi amor, que linda eres", "Canchita rica!" or simply just "Ay ay ay!" are common "phrases" I get. Or like that one guy that stuck his head out of his car saying "Sexo, cancha? Sexo?". At first I just laughed at the whole situation, but then I realized that I can't even sit down somewhere reading, eating or whatever without men coming up to me every five minutes wanting to talk. I guess there's no such thing as privacy when you're Shakira. (Hah). I don't even want to imagine what it would be like for an actual blonde to come here.

Enough for now. Orale.