Volcano erupts in Guatamala

Todays news--This sort of putting a damper on my Cental american trip!!!
11:16am UK, Friday May 28, 2010




Lulu Sinclair, Sky News Online

A state of emergency has been declared in Guatemala after a volcanic eruption killed a television journalist and forced the international airport to close.
The last big eruption of the Pacaya volcano was in 1998
Anibal Archila's burnt body was found near the Pacaya volcano by a colleague, who said the reporter had been unable to escape a shower of boulders triggered by the eruption.
Some 1,600 people have been evacuated from the slopes of the volcano, which stands 2,552m (8,372ft) above sea level about 15 miles south of the capital, Guatemala City.
Three children aged seven, nine and 10 have been reported missing in the area.
Between two and three inches of ash have built up on streets in some southern parts of the capital city since the volcano started erupting on Wednesday.

Anibal Archila. Pic: Newsolio
Its airport, La Aurora International, has been closed to ensure planes do not fly through the hazardous ash cloud or land on its ash-covered runway.
Incoming flights are being diverted to airports in other parts of the country.
Pacaya is the most active of Guatemala's 32 volcanos and has been intermittently erupting since 1966.
Tourists are frequent visitors to areas near the three lava flows formed in eruptions between 1989 and 1991.
Twelve years ago, in 1998, the volcano forced a series of evacuations and closed the airport.

Pictures courtesy of Sky News

Aztec Calender:Part 2

Well,what do you know? I cannot get a visa for Mexico!!!! And the reason? I do not have a job!So after some deliberation and discussion, it turns out I should have applied for my visa whilst still employed. Thereafter I can resign. Where is the logic in that! I am obviously dissappointed, but will try to get one from one or more of their embassies in South America
Hasta luego

The Aztec Calender

 

Follow this link for some fun facts -http://www.hsp-aztec.com/ and http://www.aztec-history.com/aztec-calendar-stone.html

Death road in Bolivia

So I have been reading up on South America and in this chapter on Bolivia came across what is termed the most dangerous road in the world. It is a gravel road and 3.2 meters wide with cliffs dropping up to 600 meters. The road is a winding stretch of 64 km with 3 600 meter vertical descent.

In March 2007 a new repacement road was opened meaning that this road is now mainly used by cyclists,support vehicles and some tourist busses.Prior to the opening of the new road, an average of 26 vehicles per year went over the edge. According to Lonely Planet's guide on South America. around 15 cyclists have gone over the edge. Some tour operators will give you a free T-shirt on completing this harrowing trip.Will you do it for a lousy T-shirt?  (pictures courtesy of various sites)

The morning after innoculations

I feel terrible.. I was told at the Travel Clinic that I will experience flu like symptoms for two days, but this feels like real flu. My nose is running, my throat is on fire and my lungs feel compressed like a squeezed balloon. Good thing it's a crappy weekend with rain forecasts..will chill in front of TV and catch up on Spanish lessons.
Adios