coldhearted scientist وداد

I had thought I would recover from the semester via a manicure, a professional cleaning of the house, and a pair of shoes. However, the manicurist is on vacation, the cleaning lady did not show up, and I did not see any attractive shoes. Therefore when I go to town, meaning New Orleans next week, I will stay in a cool guesthouse instead of camping out at someone’s house, and it will be blissful; this is an excellent choice as I will be able to pretend I still live there.

However, where shall I really go for two weeks, later in the summer, given that I cannot afford my desired destinations, Brazil and the Faroes? (The plans proposed below, by the way, do not include the possibility of an August voyage to San Francisco, on frequent flyer miles; that is aparte.) Here, then, are the choices, and you are invited to vote.

1. New York. Advantages: it is New York, and I can visit all of my New York and Connecticut friends. Disadvantages: I am convinced it will have hidden costs. It is an adventure, but it may not be relaxing. I am more or less rejecting this plan.

2. Colorado. Advantages: the plan involves camping and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. I can also go to a wedding to which I am invited, and see my friends. I can stop on the way in Austin and Santa Fe. Disadvantages: it is 1500 miles each way driving, which means the cost of driving is as great or greater than the cost of a plane ticket. All of that driving is a lot of work, and this adventure, all in all, may not be entirely relaxing.

3. Mexico. Advantages: flights there are very cheap, being there can be very cheap, and it is a cultural Mecca. I know it well, and there are many options, so this trip would involve virtually no planning. The idea is to start in Guanajuato, go up to Zacatecas and spend a few days there going to the pueblos, and then come down for a last few culturally rich days in the D.F. Disadvantages: although Mexico does not have to be expensive, there are many ways to drop money there. Especially if I go to the D.F., I will be highly tempted to indulge in some of these. And I am not in the mood to go to Mexico and miss the D.F. Finally, the plethora of options in Mexico, and the energy of the city, sound tiring to me at this moment. I have a hankering for slow, colorful towns where the locals merely sit, and you can join them.

4. Guatemala. This is ostensibly the wildest option, and it is as expensive to get to as California, so it sounds extravagant. However, once one gets there, it is far cheaper than Mexico, and in many towns, you could not spend more than would a “budget” traveler even if you wanted to. And it is colorful and slow. The plan would be to arrive at Guatemala City at noon, and go instantly by colectivo to Antigua for the night. On by bus to Xela the next day, I would spend some time there visiting pueblos like San Francisco el Alto before going on up to Huehuetenango and the final goal, Todos Santos Cuchumatán. On the way back down to Guatemala City, I could stop at Lake Atitlán.

As you can see, I favor Guatemala at this time, although I am not yet used to the concept, and I am nostalgic for both Mexico and the Rockies. What is your vote … how should I best energize two weeks of this summer, and escape the local rain and heat?

Axé.