Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Guatemala

Did you have a biased view of the country before moving there? What is your view now?

Before moving here, I thought Guatemala was truly and entirely a third world country. I thought the whole country was mired in desperate poverty and that I would be living at a very low level of convenience.

I am happy to report that parts of Guatemala are very modern! There are Walmarts and Burger Kings and soooo many shoe stores you would not believe! I can get pretty much everything I want, if I'm willing to travel to a big city and pay for it. (Except black licorice. Haven't found that. Ha!)

Having said that, a lot of Guatemalans are very poor and living in squalid conditions. The rural areas are quite shocking to see. I live in Panajachel, and while it is a rather prosperous town as a whole, there are families still living in tin-roof shacks with dirt floors, cooking on open fires. The outlying towns are even worse

Luckily for everyone, there are many great charities run by locals and expats alike that are helping the impoverished and unfortunate. Be sure to connect with one of them when you move here so you can give money or time through proper channels so it goes where it's most needed. Giving to beggars and shoeshine boys on the streets is fine, but oftentimes that money doesn't go to appropriate things. Helping a registered and organized charity is the best way to provide food, medicine, and assistance to the poorer communities.

P.S. One of the most eye-opening things I saw when I first moved here was older Mayan ladies in their traditional dresses talking on iPhones! They have nicer phones than I do.