I have to stay one more night in Panachel as I need to book a shuttle to Coban to see the amazing waterfalls. I go walk down the road to get to a restaurant overlooking Lago de Atitlan as the views were supposed to be stunning according to the guide books. They weren’t wrong.

Along the shore of the lake a waiter sees that I’m looking for food and shows me his restaurants menu. It looks decent enough so I head down. Turns out I’m the first customer of the day. Not great as I don’t like eating alone. But then that’s not a bad thing as I don’t have to feel self conscious while eating. I have my tablet withnmemso I read my book while waiting for my food. The view of the lake is amazing. I have in sight, 3 volcanoes and a pristine lake without anyone on it. I savour the moment by taking many photos but I only need one to take my breath away and remind me of how magnificent the view was.

A couple of locals come into the restaurant trying to see their keychains and bracelets. 1 particular kid doesn’t take the hint. He hangs around despite my negative attitude. He can’t sell very well as he asks me to buy his animal keychain for Q5 but then asks for a can of Coke instead which is Q12. And then he goes on to ask for a hamburger which is even more money! This kid has a lot to learn about sales…

After breakfast I head back to the guesthouse, stopping off at a bookstore to get a cheap book in case my tablet runs out of battery while travelling. Also reading a paperback book means that I’m not ‘showing off’ my tablet for potential muggers to see. I pick up, Around The World In Eighty Days by Jules Verne. I don’t normally reading fiction but this seemed quite nice. I’ve seen the movie adaptations of his novels but haven’t seen the ATWIED movie. I also manage to pick up a map of central america, something I already own because I bought one but left it in my room in London. I liked the idea of carrying a paper map as I needed to get bearings of the countries I’m visiting. Also I spy a Lonely Planet Central America on a Shoe string book, but after I do the conversion its almost double the price of a new copy back home. I can’t afford it and the weight of it will make my pack worse.

I book a shuttle to Coban and it is very expensive. £30. But I couldn’t see a clear way there as I couldn’t find a decent chicken bus schedule. I decided this would be my last shuttle as I can’t be spending that type of money just to get from city to city. I don’t think I spent that much in Mexico so I shouldn’t be spending it in Guatemala.

I have lunch at Pollo Campero, on my own again, but I had to use the internet. I download some many a as I’ve been reading that in my room to kill time. Afterwards I go to a coffee shop and chill there for a few hours, figuring out my expenses for future destinations.

When it starts to get dark, I head back to the guesthouse to put on more clothes as it gets cold and windy on the lake. I head out to a restaurant for dinner. Armed with my tablet I go searching for a noodle place. I haven’t had noodles in a long time and I have its taste on my mind. I see a place buts empty. Was I too early for dinner? I find another place that served Guatemalan food and eat there. I get 2 dishes as I’m dying of hunger. Mushroom soup and a beef dish with salad, plantains and watermelon. Nice, watermelon on my main dish.

Not many people are there and I’m a little anxious but I finish my meal leave. I wonder what you’re supposed to with the time when you’re just eating. Eating seems like a multitask as I can talk, watch or read whilst doing it. Mainly talk, but no one was around to talk to. So you eat and stare at your food or around the room? My mind boggles at the idea. Though at least I’m actually doing it. I have no choice anymore.