The Idiot is in full-throttle training for the resumption of his MedTrek in mid-April when he’ll circumnavigate the island of Cyprus off the shores of Turkey, Syria and Lebanon.

He’s getting in shape this month in Guatemala by trekking in jungles, hiking up volcanos and exploring Mayan and colonial ruins from Tikal to Antigua. Things kicked off on Monday with a stroll in Antigua, which was capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala from 1543 to 1776.

Located in earthquake country amidst active volcanos (the former capital, frequently damaged by earthquakes which often occur in March, was moved to Guatemala City in 1776), Antigua provides an excellent workout for The Idiot’s feet and eyes because its streets are primarily cobblestones and there are fabulous ruins of colonial churches and Spanish Baroque-influenced buildings.

Antigua is under the active Acatenango volcano.

Cobblestone streets give The Idiot’s feet muscles an active workout.

Most of the contemporary urban action is near the Parque Central in the city center which features a reconstructed fountain and the Cathedral of San Jose. The town becomes a tourist zoo due to ongoing religious celebrations during Lent, Holy Week and Easter. In early March, however, it’s a haven of tranquility.

Antiqua’s Central Park and the San Jose Cathedral.

No, The Idiot didn’t opt for a horse and carriage after walking for hours on cobblestones.

Traffic jam in downtown Antigua.

The Idiot quit buying trinkets and souvenirs, with rare exceptions, in 1989 but he still enjoys sprinting through markets and talking to women selling scarves in Central Park (Full disclosure: he bought three scarves after taking this photo).

The Idiot delighted these four women by telling them they are the “quatro mas bellas senoras in Guatemala” and, more importantly, buying three scarves.

The Idiot sprinted through the Mercado de Artesanias.

The Idiot checked in with various political parties to hear about Vice President Biden’s visit in early March and keep tabs on corruption in the country.

Next stops: Pacaya volcano and Lake Atitlan.

Follow

About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."