FOUR DIRECTIONS REPORT
29th of May 2010

An eruption from the Pacaya Volcano on the evening of Thursday, May, 27th, left covered Guatemala City and surroundings by a layer of volcanic ash, and the foot hills of Pacaya volcano with many volcanic rocks.  Two persons died, one nearby the volcano and one more when the roof he was removing the ashes from collapsed.   Removing the ashes from the Guatemala City International airport’s runway, that is 2 miles long, will be completed until Sunday May 30th and it will be then that the airport operations will return to normality.

The tourism industry has been affected by the airport closing that will end tomorrow, and the only tourist attraction that will be closed for the time being is climbing the Pacaya Volcano.  Ground transportation is operating normally and all other attractions like Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango, Tikal Archaeological Site are open.

This kind of event is the third time this happens in my life (I am 53 yo) and the consequences of it for those that don’t live nearby the volcano, have been no more than airport and schools closed for a couple of days. 

Guatemala has 33 volcanoes and 3 of them are permanently active.  We see that as an ingredient to its diverse and beautiful environment.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information.
Alfonso & Diana Muralles
FOUR DIRECTIONS