Happy Monday everyone! I hope you’re ready for an update about our Guatemalan adventure. Last week was insanely busy with moving in and settling down, and we even had a few days without electricity! But now I have some time to catch up and share what’s been going on.
First, let’s take a tour of the house. It’s actually better than I expected. From the outside, you can see the plastic sheet covering the leaky palm tree roof. I trimmed the leaves so they don’t hang over the plastic.
The house doesn’t have traditional windows, just a mosquito net that lets in a refreshing breeze from the lake. There are wooden shutters we can use to close up the house when we’re away for a few days.
My kitchen is cozy and functional, equipped with a fridge, gas oven, sink, and some storage space. The floor is easy to clean and the ceramic tiles make maintenance simple. Because of the palm tree roof, a lot of debris falls down, but I manage by fetching water from the lake for cooking and dishwashing. It’s not the most eco-friendly method, but it works for now and minimizes overall water waste.
I use small stones and water from the lake to scrub dishes first and then a bit of soap if needed. It’s cute watching fish nibble on the crumbs left from my meals. My sink also doubles as my shower, and I try to use minimal soap and shampoo to keep things environmentally friendly.
We have a dry toilet with a deep hole, so that’s taken care of for now. I visited the council to inquire about connecting water. They quoted $100 for the connection, plus the cost of laying pipes from our closest neighbor, which would be about $800 more. Maintenance of these pipes would also be our responsibility, and there’s no guarantee of reliable service. I’m not thrilled about this option especially since there are rumors about cutting public water to lakeside properties. Another possibility is to buy a pump and use an already-installed tank to store water.
On the electricity front, we’re still waiting for power. A technician pointed out that the connection pipe isn’t high enough, meaning trucks could snag the cable, so I need to fix that. For now, I make do with candles at night and charging my laptop in town.
Food-wise, we’re doing alright. I stocked up on pasta, rice, and some sauces, along with a few fruits and vegetables. A handyman helps us out and brings fresh eggs. He’s even offered to bring a chicken, but I’ll consider that once I have more cooking supplies. Breakfasts usually include eggs with tomato and onion sauce, bread, and pureed beans, while lunch is often pasta with canned goods or a meal out in the village. Dinners are lighter with snacks like paté, fruits, chocolate, and bread.
We’ve hired a handyman from the nearest village who knows the property well since he worked for the previous owner. He’s invaluable for basic maintenance, moving furniture, and connecting us with local resources. He helped clean the garden, move trash, and level the water tank. He even accompanied us to the council office where his sister works, which might come in handy.
We’ve found many useful items left by the seller or brought from the capital by BF. These include canned goods, wine, chocolates, old bed sheets for cleaning, kitchen accessories, and tools. It’s a big relief not having to buy these things immediately, though we may upgrade them over time.
For the bedroom, we’re still working with some basics. We have bed sheets for a single bed and only one pillow, so I use my sleeping bag. It’s definitely not showroom quality yet, but with some tender loving care, it’s starting to feel like home. Major renovations will come later, like adding a private bathroom and a terrace with a lake view.
Our first big project starts today: building a wall to secure the property. We’re spending $800 on materials and about $200 on labor to increase the height of the roadside wall. Currently, it’s too low and allows anyone to see if we’re home. While Guatemala is beautiful, I’d rather not make it easy for potential intruders.
That’s all for now. How’s your week going?