Quinn was the first one to suggest the whole backpacking trip. After graduation, she told Brittany about going with the others to Europe. First, Brittany was over excited with the idea; she had never been to Europe, and she had heard from her mother's backpacking stories that it was amazing. However, Mike, Rachel, Puck, and Tina argued that Europe was a cliché, so they should visit someplace out of the ordinary. Their idea of a place out of the ordinary was Central America, but Brittany wouldn't go down without a fight. The idea of backpacking in a third world country wasn't Brittany's favorite, so she argued that they should put it to a vote. Italy, Brittany and Quinn's idea, Costa Rica, Rachel's idea, or Guatemala, Puck's idea. Brittany and Quinn obviously voted for Italy, Rachel for Costa Rica, but Puck was the winner; himself, Mike, and Tina, voted for Guatemala.
So here she is, sitting in a bus, cursing her friends for bringing her to a third world country. Brittany is known for being dumb, but right now she's pretty sure she's the smart one. Anything could happen in Guatemala.
"Vamos a llegar a Retalhuleu en unas dos horas, los registé en el IRTRA, es el hotel más grande y más bonito de Centroamérica. Yo sé que son mochileros pero este hotel es una experiencia que deben ve.r"
Brittany sighs, frustrated. She doesn't speak a word of Spanish, except for Hola. This driver has been talking in Spanish the whole time, and Brittany doesn't understand anything. If it weren't for Puck they would all be screwed, speaking Spanish is one of Puck's limited talents.
"He says we'll be arriving to Retalhuleu in two hours, we'll stay in the biggest hotel in Central America. Apparently this hotel is too fancy to miss it, even for backpackers"
"Allí van a conocer a su guía, Santana Lopez. Ella los va a llevar por todo el país, les va a enseñar los lugares más bonitos de Guatemala"
"In the hotel, we're going to meet the guide. Santana something"
"Les aconsejo que disfruten el hotel, los mochileros no se quedan en hoteles como estos."
"He says we should enjoy the hotel, backpackers don't usually stay in fancy hotels"
Finally, after three hours of listening to Juan the driver speak Spanish, they arrive at the hotel. It is fucking huge. The group gets out of the car and wait while the driver checks them in with Puck. Brittany looks around, she certainly wasn't expecting this. Guatemalan girls are beautiful, some of them don't even look like Latinas, and Guatemalan guys are hot. Everyone is wearing a bathing suit, sun glasses, flip flops, and revealing clothes. Figures, it's probably a hundred degrees.
Juan comes back and asks how they're going to sleep. Quinn and Puck share a room, Mike and Tina share a room, and Brittany unfortunately shares a room with Rachel. Juan gives them the keys to their rooms and tells them to get back in the car.
The drive to their rooms is maybe two minutes. Brittany notices several restaurants, pools, rooms, bungalows, and parkins spaces. She wishes they could stay in this hotel for the entire month.
The group separates when each go to their rooms. They get together to look for the restaurant where they're supposed to meet the guide, but no luck. They get lost, and find four different restaurants; not the one they're looking for, though. When they finally find it, a brunette woman approaches them in the lobby. Yes, the restaurant has a lobby.
"Hello. You must be the backpackers" The woman greets them with the most beautiful smile Brittany has ever seen. "My name is Santana Lopez, and I will be your tour guide. I understand that not many people like the idea of a guide, but trust me it's for the best. You want to be around someone that knows the country."
"Nice to meet you, Santana." Quinn shakes her hand. "My name is Quinn and this is my boyfriend Puck. That's Tina and her boyfriend Mike, and that's—"
"Rachel Berry, it is so nice to finally meet you. I packed all the things we will be needing for the trip. Bottled water, blankets for the cold, and a first aid kit. I also have a map, so if you could tell me the places we will visit, I'll just—" Rachel is interrupted by Santana's laugh. "What's so funny? Is it my voice?" Rahcel asks concerned.
"No." Santana says, still laughing. "It's just… you won't be needing those blankets, so I suggest you get rid of them; they're just going to be a burden for you."
"She's right. I don't think I've ever been so hot in my life." Puck says.
"Yeah. The weather here is not like in your country, I'm hot all the time." Santana says.
"Not the weather's fault" Brittany says, not really thinking. They all turn their attention to Brittany, who is blushing, hoping they didn't hear her. "I'm Brittany. Brittany Pierce"
"Nice to meet you Brittany" Santana smiles at Brittany. "Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this hotel. There are five themed restaurants, pool areas, a golf field, basketball and soccer courts, a gym, bowling, and well… pretty much everything. There is also a theme park and a water park, but we won't be visiting them. So be ready tomorrow at 9, and we will start our tour in Mazate."
After explaining Rachel about the weather and the mosquito bites, Santana says goodbye to the group and leaves. The group gets a table, and they miss McDonalds and it's 5 dollar meals. Brittany orders a 30 dollar soup, and they all pay for a bottle of rum "Zacapa Centenario," which according to the waiter, is the best rum in the world. For almost 300 dollars it better be.
So is not all that bad in Guatemala, at least in the hotel. Brittany tries to give it another chance, since she doesn't want to be the mood killer.