Dalama Adventures Tale of two corporate types ditching their jobs and traveling the world for 14 months... check out all photos, blogs & interesting tid bits at http://www.dalama.net

George W. Bush is known down here as "Diablo Bush" or The Devil.  If his antics in the middle east haven't pissed off most people we meet along the way, an even bigger point of contention here in Guatemala, with all spectrum of people from the well educated to the mom & pop family trying to make a go of their businesses, is the hard line stance on immigration and policies he's secured to limit immigration.  The notorious "wall" between the US and Mexico equates here to a wall between the US and Central America.

Most people here have some form of relative or close friend in the US that they'd like to visit.  The Guatemaltecos we've spoken with don't want to live or emigrate to the US, they just want to see their families and friends, and have the chance to play "tourist" in the US.  However, the policies are so restrictive, that for most, it's against all odds that they'd ever get a chance to cross the boarder.

Several people here have shared their experience going through the US tourist visa application process.  The process Guatemaltecos go through is a long, drawn out, expensive process - especially when you consider that Americans don't even need a visa, or to pay an entry fee to enter Guatemala as a tourist.  Guatemaltecos fill out a long application form about themselves, their family, work, business, education, income, and go to the bank with their application and $100 US dollars - an amount of money that's incredibly expensive.  Picture this example:  a 5 foot tall, older gentleman, dark weathered skin, big white cowboy hat, in his local embroidered clothing, getting help from a friend to fill out his application; he's full of hope and excitement about the adventure that lies ahead for him visiting the US.  His big extended family wishes him well as he heads off to the city to go to the bank with the $100 cash it took him a year to save up.  He goes to the bank to pay and submit his application, and if he's able to pass through the wall of discrimination that many Mayans face, as many businesses in the city will not serve a local dressed in traditional clothing.  He's given a reference number and phone number to call the US Embassy in the future to see if his application has been reviewed, and if he gets an appointment with the embassy.  Months and months later he calls and one of two options - 1) he's granted an appointment to review his application with the embassy in Guatemala City or 2) he's told he will not be granted an appointment, try again maybe next year. Either situation the government keeps his hard earned $100 application fee.  Getting an embassy appointment does not mean you get a visa - take this same little man - cruising now to the embassy for his appointment.  He could go through the interview and be told for "no entry" for no special reason.  All his hopes, dreams, and excitement now turned to sadness as he hops back onto a chicken bus to face his family to tell them the unfortunate news.  It's such a shame - here we Americans take for granted how easy it is for us to get a tourist visa to visit other countries - and many don't even require a visa.  We can pretty much go where we like, when we like.  But for others around the world, Guatemala is not exception, the restrictions are great and the number of people allowed to enter appears small, compared to those wanting entry for tourism.  And the number of Guatemaltecos we've spoken with on all ends of the spectrum that have been disillusioned by the process and their lost, hard earned money and confidence in the process is saddening.