We stayed one night at Hostal Los Volcanes. It's billed as being conveniently located 600 meters from the airport, but at midnight we were grateful for the shuttle service they provided.

Oscar, the super friendly and efficient manager of Hostal Los Volcanes bid us farewell the next morning as we head off to the city's downtown.

Steve and I decided the first thing we wanted to see was the giant relief map of Guatemala located in Minerva Park just a few blocks from the Plaza Mayor in the heart of the city.

No other country has a map quite like this. It is a miniature Guatemala built to scale in 1904. We wanted Chris and Rachel to get a feel for the topography of Guatemala which is a country about the size of the state of Tennessee or the country of Bulgaria.

Guatemala is home to over 30 volcanoes.

Steve and Chris take time to scrutinize El Map En Relieve in more detail.

After pointing out on the map the route we would be driving during our two weeks, we drove toward downtown to the Plaza Mayor, the heart of the historic center of the city.

We parked the car and walked through the Central Market. El Mercado Central is presently located just a block off the Plaza Mayor, behind the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The Central Market has traditionally been the home of colorful vendors from around guatemala who sell their food, handicrafts and everyday necessities in their tightly packed stalls. In 1976, after the last major earthquake hit Guatemala, the market was rebuilt and relocated to its present underground home.

The Metropolitan Cathedral (in the background) stands on the eastern end of the Plaza Mayor.

El Plaza Mayor or Main Plaza (also called La Plaza de la Constitución) is the heart of the historic center of Guatemala City.

On the north side of stands the impressive National Palace. When Steve and I first visited it in 1974 it served as the administrative offices for the executive branch of government.

Today, however, it is now called the National Palace of Cultural and houses some of the best works of Guatemalan artists.

Guatemala City has a notorious reputation for not being road friendly to the average driver, but I knew we were in capable hands with Steve behind the wheel of our car rental. Our daughter Rachel, however, expressed serious reservations. "I can say without a doubt that I never want to spend any more time in that city. It is roughly the size of Chicago, but much more hectic and dirty and loud. We rented a car and I actually feared for my life, and dad, who was driving, is a very good driver. The traffic was so chaotic where street signs and lights are merely suggestions."

And she drives in Chicago everyday!

We wanted to reach Panajachel, our first destination, before sunset, so we headed out of Guatemala City by 4 PM.