Sometimes I saw people walk hesitantly while glancing around shyly. I have even seen some travelers walk through GuateCity – still with the airline-tag attached to their backpacks. A sign above your head couldn't be more obvious…

Sometimes I carried a fake doomed-to-steal wallet with me, holding a "decent" amount of money (not too small to leave robbers unsatisfied, but not enough to really hurt my budget) and an expired credit card. It has "disappeared" on the market in Xela, and I didn't even noticed it!

Hopefully this post is not another one of your tongue in cheek attempts to generate more comments. You have now been here long enough to realize that security is a topic for gringos to take seriously. Gringos will always be a target of crime, as we have more money than the average Guatemalan. Of course none of us come close to the super rich Guatemalans, but they are super aware, with bodyguards, following security Suburbans, etc.

If a gringo lives in Guatemala for any extended period of time, being the victim of a crime isn't a question of "if" but "when". We are seldom a target of kidnapping, but very much targets of burglaries, armed robbery, mugging, pick-pockets, and carjacking. It doesn't so much matter what we wear, we are easily recognized as gringos.

Being hyper- aware is our best defense. After withdrawing money, frequently check your surroundings. Be especially aware of men on motorcycles, as they are used in a preponderance of crimes where a rapid getaway is necessary.

The advise about being super-cautious when opening your porton or front door to anyone is excellent. That nice little lady in traje with a baby in her arms, who needs some watter, may have two men with guns waiting close by (this is from experience in our neighborhood). Another scam we have encountered is a person, with a taxi waiting behind them, who needs to use your phone to find where a person they can't find lives.

Most people won't talk with anyone, except their closest friends, about their experiences with crime, for fear of being considered alarmists and/or paranoid, but take it from those of us who have been here for years, gringos are constant targets, who are often considered naive and unaware.

I've been robbed/pickpocketed/attacked a few times and in only one case did the guy actually follow me for any distance, that I could tell. Watch out if walking at night, creeps with guns or knives like to hang out in the sunken doorways of houses, or in the weird little alleyways in Antigua. They like to ambush rather than follow.

Taking a hidden seat in a restaurant also keeps you out of noticeable sight and you won't be bothered by people selling stuff as much as if you sit in the window. Not to mention any would-be assailants. Not that I would know anything about that, though, since I live so quietly and don't stir up trouble.