Another Toursist at Tikal

It was about 8am when we finally reached our destination, which meant we were a few hours behind schedule. Still, it all worked out. We checked into the hotel that Gelion’s cousin owned, thinking we would have two rooms waiting for us, but discovered only one made for us. There’s that Guatemalan communication again, hehehe. I’m learning to expect it, which is helping my heart take everything in stride.

We left our stuff in the room of Jardina Maya and headed to Tikal, leaving the details of the hotel to work out when we got back.

As for Tikal, well, if a picture is worth a thousand words, I’d better let the camera do the talking:

After our full day trekking across the Mayan ruins of Tikal, we took a few trips back and forth from our hotel to the internet café, in order to transfer my pictures from camera to CD. On the way, and walking with a friend we had made on the street that same morning (supposedly a local drunk, but he hardly seemed drunk to Anghel and me), I saw a flash out of the corner of my eye. Thinking it was nothing but those things that always float in our vision, I ignored it. Then I saw it again. And again. Was I seeing stars? Maybe I had done a little too much walking today... But no, there it was again, and this time I could center my vision on it. "Anghel, what are those? Are those...FIREFLIES?" The realization hit me as I turned my head to look at the field of grass standing just before the shore of the river. There were hundreds of sparkles flashing at different intervals, like little sparks from a flint, only silver instead of gold. I had always imagined fireflies as tiny lightbulbs, glowing and bobbing in swarms through the air. But these...these were random, tiny flashes of starlight, equally magical, but hardly noticeable if you weren't watching carefully. I was enchanted. "Me encantan!" I exclaimed in girlish delight. So I have a childlike heart...¿Sí, y qué? When we finally sorted things out at the hotel, it was 9pm, and Anghel had to find a different hotel since there were no more rooms available. The wife of Gelion's cousin relented and let us have the room for 50 Quetzales, as we were led to believe the cost would be (instead of 150 that they were going to charge us). We just had to promise not to tell anyone else that we got it so cheap...whoops. ;) Well, anyone in Guatemala. Finally, after a 9 hour bus ride to Tikal, and another 9 or 10 hours of walking, hiking, high-stepping, and climbing, I enjoyed a niiice, cold shower. Of course, I had to share it with a few spiders, but they were probably as hot as I was. Honestly, I was feeling a little spooked about being all alone in the dark room, and draping masquito netting over my bed didn't help my claustrophobic feeling. Once the lights were off, it was black, and I mean pitch. Who knows what lurks in the beds of Peten? My hostess told me to always check under the sheets before I get in. Very comforting. Once in bed and protected by netting, I read some scriptures by LED light, and felt better about the fear in my heart. I spent the night well enough, despite a fitful rest. With only sheets for covers, even though it was humid, I found myself chilled. Still, I'm grateful for a bed. Buenas noches.