What's Happening in San Marcos, Guatemala? (Lake Atitlan)

My Italian friend Francesca has been living in San Marcos La Laguna on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala for the past eight months. In this video she gives a tour of the town and talks with Greg, owner of the Eagle's Nest, about why San Marcos is a special place. More info about the Eagle's Nest:
eaglesnestatit...
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Music during the video (in order):
"La Rambla" by Louis Nichols
&
"Amor Chiquito" by Quincas Moreira
&
"Pink Flamenco" by Doug Maxwell
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Gabriel is a world traveler and travel writer who has been adventuring around the world off and on since his first trip to Europe in the summer of 1990 when he was 18 years old. He is author of "Gabe's Guide to Budget Travel", "Following My Thumb" and several other books available on Amazon.com and elsewhere.
Thanks a lot for watching and safe journeys!

[@VitalityMassage]

Anyone moving to a holistic health motivated town should know what it really is: A natural health boot camp full of people into self-improvement. This does not necessarily mean that they're progressed... It means that they are making an effort to progress. There are usually a lot of crazy/nutty types in these cities. Yes, it's fun and cool and different but often obscure and intense to deal with. Certainly not boring that's for sure.

[@BeTheLightTribe]

Totally agree 💯

[@TravelsMints]

Love this! Guatemala is so unique and beautiful

[@italogiardina8183]

Intentional communities (the contemporary new age movement) seem to have thrived in enclaves such as San Marcos that allow personal freedoms, but are also economically sustainable for projects to develop.

[@williamoliver6807]

I really appreciate people that are into their own spirituality and doing yoga but I will have to say I have never met stranger people than in San Marcos.

[@Originalman144]

They are spiritual whores blowing in the wind looking for their next philosophy and feel good ritual. Reminds me of a hostel I visited in Tel Aviv. Weirdest people ever, high out of their minds. I checked out after 10 mins. One of the dangers of travelling is ending up bugged out in some tiny village living off of $5 a day.

[@annagordon9171]

Living bugged out on $5 a day sounds wonderful to me. What is the alternative?

[@rosesaenze6486]

why are they so strange?

[@adhdself-love]

Many people are into much personal growth and the ways in which they do it are a bit , not only left of center, but nearly off the whole spectrum or beyond. There are a fair number of people finding their way by teaching, legitimate all the same, as well as a large number of definitely tapped-in folks of all expressions, to the etheric and the underworld alike (and lots of liminal spaces too!) And it may seem cliché, yet I must say: it's a Vortex. I loved it there; I'm a weirdo.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Here's Part 2 in which Francesca shows much more of San Marcos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZKpcpKri5V-gJI And here are my other videos with Francesca, including some old videos from Nepal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp_SaZSiaZeqirc Also I wanted to address the music I used in this video of San Marcos, since I know that it's not Guatemalan. There are copyright issues with using music for KZbin videos. You can only use certain music that is copyright free. Most of the music I use in my videos comes from either the KZbin audio library (a free service included with your KZbin channel) or else from Epidemic Sound, a subscription service I pay for. They create their own unique music that can be used on KZbin. So I searched both sources for the term Guatemala and absolutely nothing came up. Instead I used generic Spanish or Latin style music. I would love to be able to use music that's more specifically local but that's just not practical, especially when it comes to smaller countries, in which case it's harder to find music from that region which can be used on KZbin.

[@d.e303-anewlowcosthomebuil7]

i think you are doing good and she makes good vids too...makes me want to visit

[@d.e303-anewlowcosthomebuil7]

hope you are doing well stop in to visit if you ever want to see d.c. there is some cool stuff here....btw...great falls, skyline drive, monuments museums, architecture, etc.

[@gregoryrust8626]

Pretty lady, does a nice video

[@deirdremaza2703]

I’ve been there, rented an air bnb over looking the lake surrounded by volcanoes, love it!!!

[@asianfacility5682]

Great

[@ladydylanon5537]

I spent a month in Atitlan in 2018, was in San Marcos and Panatchel- fantastic

[@crabsrice5600]

Had a space cake there and couldn’t move for a day and a half ! Brilliant times

[@pablosearth]

WOW! I resonated with this so much. Francesca is an absolute natural also. I have been doing some research recently on Eagles Nest and now this video pops up! I do hope to get there one day, but with the old Vaxx Pass it aint likely i'm afraid. Excellent video, thanks so much!

[@charlyr6076]

Wonderful Greg, funny how time flies. Happy to see you in this channel after all these years.

[@matthewd938]

Francesca should make her own channel. She's a delight

[@Inkahustler]

Such an interesting place full of happy hippies 👍🏼

[@stefanexplores]

Thanks for the report, Francesca!

[@KSokol-oz9tb]

Hello from Canada..

[@spearzoid]

Wow. I want to go visit San Marcos La Laguna! And FRancesca is lovely in every way.

[@bbilly28]

great job Fran you going to have to teach Gabriel how to do that haha!! good vid guys

[@amatitlan4699]

finally something that I love my country.

[@vhinsagcal207]

A blesssed good day sir Gabe Wowww thank you so much for your beautiful friend Ms Francesca, for walking around tour there in San Marcos Guatemala, stay safe Godbless u from your solid fan supporter viewer from the Philippines sir vhin 🇵🇭 🙂❤️❤️🙏👏👏👏💕👏👏👏😍😍👍👏👏👏

[@scotttea2048]

Looks inviting, this lake side town of self exploration and well being. 🌴

[@CarlosCastillo-iy5it]

Hello greetings

[@jeminigemi]

I'm going there in a few weeks to work remotely for a month or two. Can't friggin wait.

[@ricardorivera9289]

Love the location of San Marco and how the lake looks in the video :)

[@theprophetlive]

Thank you Francesca! It is wonderful to see a glimpse of San Marcos!

[@franberes7641]

Great music selections! Lovely to see you again Francesca, from 🇨🇦 Francesca

[@LondonWalkbyLondonSocialite]

I have heard of this place. it is beautiful. thanks for sharing 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@nyonyopraia]

Okay I'll visit the place

[@henrylimit]

Cool video Francesca thanks for the tour!!

[@reelhappytravellers2691]

What a Captivating capture!✔️✔️✔️✔️ Such a super magnificent capture this one is,many congrats and thanks for sharing!!!!

[@Albert13tv]

what a view from the eagle's nest!

[@SisterSherryDoingStuff]

I dig the "hippie" vibe...still watching.

[@matischamplain7624]

That is what colonialism looks like in the 21st century ... quite different than in the 18th century. But the result is rather the same: a culture has been crushed and has been replaced .....

[@LiisaKatrina1]

That's just what I was thinking, New Age colonialism

[@kazzicup]

Excellent video !! 😄 Francesca did a very good job interviewing Greg.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I agree.

[@suebowman7258]

WOW! Beautiful place. Thank you for sharing

[@marafarnham595]

Nice Gabriel! Thanks for sharing 😊❤

[@marc2812]

Nice video of a place I remember fondly. I prefer South America, but this is one of my favorite spots in Central America. Would like to see Gabriel take on the southern portion of South America (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil) - not seeing any GT videos from further south than Colombia/Peru!

[@rexx9496]

I think he'd really dig Bolivia. Super cheap, amazing views and culture and easy to get off the beaten path.

[@atipss]

Costa Rica y Guatemala se parecen mucho, pero Guatemala tiene más volcanes 😍 pero ambos países tienen muchos lugares de paz 🧘‍♀️

[@yoo9387]

De hecho no, es exclusivo de estos lugares. Este pueblo es habitado por mucho extranjero y ellos son los dueños de estos lugares.

[@desilvakym1544]

@@yoo9387 real guatemala more dangerous?

[@neptuniankamie9]

This looks amazing!!

[@MomonaJourney]

best video I have seen in Lake Atitlan... it shows what it actually looks like

[@kubsang]

Thanks for nice Videos, Now i have new Holiday destination. I Hope next few year i been there.

[@josephd7793]

What an amazing place!

[@scarryx8c]

I'm born and raised in Guate, and I got to say EVERYONE that isn't from San Marcos makes fun of the people there. Though, it is always fun there!

[@historiasdelatinoamerica]

Welcome to Guatemala 🇬🇹 yours house 👍

[@KabobHope]

Looks like an amazing community.

[@emilye126]

Man if I was 45 years younger, a would fly there immediately to meet some of those hot guys...they look like the 1970s! My kind of fun. Francesca I enjoyed your video..thanks!

[@francescagiovannini111]

Ahahah.. Loved this!! I don't know how it was in the 70s, I hope it was more balanced, but definitely the numbers of men versus women there was at our disadvantage (by far)

[@deepak696]

Sorry to disappoint (if any), i prefer Gabe and his simplistic presentation of places he visits without trying too hard to impress or impose and goes about naturally and himself while the other bloggers mostly feel artificial trying to impress the viewers. While i watched this video whole, i had skipped the last collaboration after 2 mins and maybe the next one too if any happens to come by in this channel. While here commenting, Like to congratulate Gabe and followers, the channel is about to hit 0.5 (half) Million. It had crossed 50k in Dec 2016 while he was travelling Morocco. Good Going and thumbs up!

[@DaveG-qd6ug]

Mas Francesca per favore !! 🤗😆

[@francescagiovannini111]

There is one more video coming. You will get tired of me!!

[@scotttea2048]

@@francescagiovannini111 Doubt it. 🌴

[@blueangel4274]

@@francescagiovannini111 Is OFFICIAL , WE LOVE YOU FRANCESCA , , your voice , you r natural way to enterview people , your energy , , you are Beauryful Phisically and i bet as a Human Bean , when you Go back to SAN MARCOS ? , FOR THE VIDEOS I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE THERE ADORE YOU .

[@francescagiovannini111]

@@blueangel4274 thanks so much for your kind words ❤️

[@Indomitablespirit108]

Beautiful in every way!

[@mazzidumato]

Amazing video. I love that Las Pirámides del Ka is mentioned in the video as most of us have found this gem of a center in San Marcos. Thank you.

[@mikeanderson7019]

Hey Gabe I have followed you for years… This is a really good collaboration… Your friend should get her own channel or just start making videos for you

[@RoseN-CJ]

Cool 😊

[@ladydylanon5537]

Love to return

[@dhananjaymalhotra7854]

Hi Gabriel. I have been watching your videos since 2018. I have observed recently that the views on your videos have taken a hit , although you are not at all compromising on the content , infact you have been making videos with the same amount of zeal if not more. How are you still managing your expenses ? I hope and pray that you continue to make videos for as long as possible.

[@NealR2000]

Your map at the beginning has an incorrect location pointer. You have it pointed to the city of San Marcos, located in San Marcos Department. Your video is a different place, namely San Marcos La Laguna in Solola Department.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I see, thanks for letting me know.

[@morekgosi]

Incredible!! Putting this on my list of go-to places. We love Francesca 💜

[@eldadesign]

Your house.. was my house for 3 years ))

[@remurraymd]

Really nice video I have been to Atitlan liked it a lot some very spiritual areas. Atitlan is pretty quite polluted due to sewage in many areas bacteria toxic algae blooms check public health and diplomatic advsories carefully. Also roads traffic to get there can be quite treacherous lots of robberies and accidents. I was almost pushd off a mountain be a truck accident but survived with a totaled vehicle.

[@francescagiovannini111]

Unfortunately the situation of the lake is quite sad.. I hope they manage to solve it or it risks to seriously end up like Amatitlán. I wanted to focus on the positive in my video but there are a lot of issues too, unfortunately 😢

[@remurraymd]

@@francescagiovannini111 Yes too many people 90% fewer sewage treatment plants than they need and the ancient agricultural practice of using sewage (human and animal urine and feces) all washing down into the lake make Atitlan an ecological nightmare. Amigos de Atitlan is trying to help. Very Sad.

[@M.R.T.V.Videos]

Ahhh yes the side of travel they always hide . Thanks

[@TheLiving74]

Hola Chicos, quédense en Europa o sus países primermundistas y envíen su basura doméstica y residuos de uranium a nuestros países, la hipocresía de este mundo.

[@asianfacility5682]

Is the man the owner of the eagle's nest an American? Is he a businessman and owner of this cafe?

[@patrickhamon9079]

No He is frenchman

[@asianfacility5682]

Francesca speaks excellent Spanish? How many Italians know Spanish?

[@francescagiovannini111]

Hello. I don't know about how many Italians speak Spanish, but I personally have been living for many years in Latin America, so I'm fluent

[@asianfacility5682]

@@francescagiovannini111 Cool

[@damondominique]

Don't tell them about the dogs barking all night in San Marcos. 😅

[@elveheim]

Hi

[@susancarol4735]

How is this area and Guatemala dealing with this C agenda? Beautiful area, and can see very alternative! 🔆🙏

[@d.e303-anewlowcosthomebuil7]

no masks

[@francescagiovannini111]

Hello. Guatemala was in general strict.. However although the restrictions where there, on lake Atitlan they were more relaxed about them.

[@winegeek2949]

Best video

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

stray dogs are a big scary. is that common in guatemala?

[@tulayamalavenapi4028]

Are there bhakti centers (Hare Kṛṣṇa people) in San Marcos? 🙏🏻❓

[@davenelson9505]

1000% different from 20 years ago. Never had any of that stuff. A handful of travelers then. I would loathe it if I were there now. Looks like Pana or Goa now! Not my kind of place. Sorry.

[@patrickhamon9079]

I was there in 1986 You are right Just a few world traveller at the time No hippy/new agers there Just nice local mayans They seem to be in business around the lake now to enjoy the foreigners money

[@davenelson9505]

@@patrickhamon9079 I'm happy the locals are making some cash. Though it seems at the expense of their ancient culture.

[@myworld4257]

No one asked you, why come here, go to Europe or America, lots of cool places to go in America. Stay away from Latin America.

[@myworld4257]

@@davenelson9505 if be glad to get rid of their culture

[@sport777official]

Nice video i like 😍😘😘

[@d.e303-anewlowcosthomebuil7]

francesca they need more brugmansia angel trumpets they look and smell sooo good....love ya....from Virginia...michael

[@wilfredotorres6628]

Hi Gabriel, Oh Yes Gabriel you have to make that trek down to Guatemala you are a spiritualist this is definilty up your ally tie-dye shirts crystals, yoga sounds like Northern California.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I was in San Marcos five years ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jne3noKZhcqsmpY

[@williambentley2802]

Feet firmly planted in the air.

[@mootrail9487]

Uhh, more questions than answers. Is that it for the town or village? What about the lake? And what are the pyramids?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

There will be another video coming.

[@thorlopez]

¿ y quien finacia todo esto?

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Love the eagles nest. Looks lovely. I'm not into the spiritual new age hippie type scene. It's just not me. I'm black and white in my thinking. Regard myself as a rationalist. Enjoyed the video.👍😊

[@mikethetraveler]

Hey! That’s where I live :))

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Cool man. :)

[@spicyroads]

Can she do a video where she tries to find el maximon. The patron saint of vice . I think he stays in Santiago

[@d.e303-anewlowcosthomebuil7]

lol

[@iamq74]

No mask. Nice👍🏿🌅

[@theendoftheworld5118]

Wnat go there 😭😭

[@elyousfiimad8598]

❤️

[@RibZe1]

I've been, San Marcos is tiny.

[@niallmcdonagh1093]

Eagle's Nest...from Hitler to hippies...the mountains attract total nutters...long may it prosper!!!

[@M.R.T.V.Videos]

Nobody lives in tje real world but thier version is a definite delusion LOL

[@desilvakym1544]

Francesca has instagram?

[@earth2ash4]

An interesting name! The Eagle's nest also being the name of Hitler's summer (social) residence in Berchtesgaden, Germany..

[@blueangel4274]

dONT MAKE COMPARISON , OR RELATE ONE WITH THE OTHER FRIEND , , EAGLES NEST in SAN MARCOS is because is high in the mountain , but for a total different purpose , the one you mention was to Hide from his Crimes , at least IN HIS UNCONCIENT he was Scaping , in EAGLES NEST SAN MARCOS is to feel free , Enjoy Life , Breath , Admire The Beautyful Majesty of the TOWN AND SURROUNDINGS . AND TO BE CLOSE TO YOUR INNER AND TO MOTHER NATURE

[@pasqualeabarno]

👍👍👍

[@rigobertomorales6092]

Moving the camera to fast

[@fromthethrone]

👍👍👍 Nice to finally hear you have a girl friend :)

[@kentuckyrain1144]

At first I was skeptical of people with no 9-5 job, but maybe their life makes sense?

[@francescagiovannini111]

Well... It does, I guarantee.. 🥰

[@azdbuk]

Most of the world probably does not have 9-5 job and certainly historically they didn't. That is a relatively new and narrow concept, and already a dying concept. Probably came from industrial age. I have done both. Ill never go back if I can help it.

[@imitadorherbertnavarro7524]

👍👍👍👍👍♥️

[@E_O_S_]

Looks like skid row

[@melissatf5268]

Acroyoga? How is that possible? yoga has nothing to do with such of things

[@ElBrandenBrazil]

“The industry” - 😂 Capitalist commune and spirituality then.

[@scotttea2048]

As in a cottage industry. 🌴

[@NhidaHayduk]

That’s a weirdest ally I felt that walking without no exit! Bird’s can’t fly anywhere 🙄🥺

[@TravelingEddie]

😎👍🏻🙏🏻🕉

[@chitocua502]

Now i am dizziness about the camera.... very bad view....

[@neilshuttlewood6259]

2nd

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

First actually, congrats.

[@neilshuttlewood6259]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos cool Gab love your channel man

[@millvee1005]

She's a beautiful woman. Does she have a youtube channel?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

No, she doesn't have her own channel.

[@francescagiovannini111]

Thank you for the 'beautiful woman' 🥰

[@europe1968]

playground ..for who ..only for yourself...

[@huacamaya119]

Not my kind of place. It looks like a slump. I love bohemian, not hippie.

[@europe1968]

looks to me ..like .. whach out nice looking guys go there,,kids,,not good,,

[@alogdad]

Somewhat troubled by westerners with means 'finding themselves' in pretty but poor places because they can afford a lifestyle they couldn't back home. What does a Guatemalan with financial stress make of it all I wonder?

[@rexx9496]

Those westerners are contributing to the local economy.

[@myworld4257]

Have you’ve been to Guatemala City? Or quetzaltenango

[@myworld4257]

Many rich people not only poor. Indigenous are the problem

[@blueangel4274]

Locals have more and better economy because the Expats , and culturally is Rich because is an exchange of knowledge , Many locals Try another Languages , , Some in SAN PEDRO SPEAK HEBREW , and in PANA italian and french , i met some german , Irish , english and french friends living there Happily and sharing life and bussines with locals , in SANTIAGO, , SAN PEDRO, And Hope now In SAN MARCOS .

[@nic558]

@@blueangel4274 if anything Guatemala is a hotspot of native culture that is DYING. Having foreigners is nice but they’re becoming the bosses and can afford it. It’s this REALLY benefiting the locals? But he does mention about stepping out of another business. I hope he gives that to the locals not other foreigners. If that’s the case he has my respect and blessing. I find it odd how they call themselves expats so easily and not immigrants. I’m still very off put by ppl “finding themselves” in poor areas that are pretty. Very disturbing

[@poche660]

I remember this country that attacked visitors as baby stealers and organ harvesting. Cartels, etc.

[@patrickhamon9079]

You are right Guatemala is one of the most dangerous country in the world Apart from a few spots like lake Atitlan I was there in 1986 at Panajachel and boats to those little villages There was nothing much there at the time.....am amazed why those new agers thrive in dangerous countries like those here There is also a community of people like those in Tulum....Mexico

[@azdbuk]

@@patrickhamon9079 I was there in 87 and 88....had zero idea what was going on back then, glad I didn't know: cia operations, coup's de etat every 15 minutes, corruption, guerilla fights, check points, earthquake, etc....I was a teen with a youth group from church..lol...no idea....but it was still stunningly magical place...so different from my experience.

[@annagordon9171]

One day I was selling my chicken salad sandwiches in front of the panaderia on Santender. An American girl ran up and snatched my 2 yr old off the sidewalk where he was playing. She ran and people ran after her. They got my baby. She was arrested, deported. Her kids had been taken from her by CPS and she went crazy. 1980.

[@myworld4257]

@@patrickhamon9079 Guatemala never needed tourists or foreigners. You are the one who like going to that country. Plus stop going to any country outside the US, stay in your country, all the states are like countries anyway.

[@blueangel4274]

@@annagordon9171 i DONT BELIEVE THAT DELUCIONAL STORIES , I heard one sad Story from Coban , and that is from The ignorance of the people around the World in Countries like this Tropical paradises , is that one people say something like somebody is stealling a baby and the rest of the people in their ignorance go automatically , believing something they didnt had the chance to anilize , Tourists never do such a thing , how they will take or travel with a bay ? GUATEMALA had very relax and easy Sistem for Adoptions , , nobody needs or do things like that .