Enter: Guatemala

As of a few days ago, we have traveled persistently through two
countries to arrive here, in Guatemala.

The trip started and ended with a bus, like always; first a chicken
bus to the dodgy city of Managua, then an 18-hour coach ride and a
night in Guatemala City before finally another chicken bus to Antigua.
We spent two days in Antigua before another long bus trip to where we
are now. The Isla de Flores, in the Peten region of Guatemala.

To put the country in perspective, it ranks third in the line of
places we have visited in terms of poverty, with the fourth most
impoverished being Nicaragua, the second poorest nation in the
Americas. Yet from our passing through Guatemala City and the
well-maintained colonial town of Antigua, the difference in poverty is
both apparent and striking compared to the tumultuous conditions in
Nicaragua. The tourism industry booms here, with a slight immersion
into indigenous Mayan culture. The markets here, of which there are
several in every town, seem to flourish with tourism money. Unlike in
Nicaragua, the goods here seem to focus only on our foreign pockets.

Either way, it is impossible to ignore the obvious beauty in this
country's history and culture. Indigenous tribes remain true to their
customs, language, and dress. Weaving clothing, hammocks, and other
textiles, tribal women attract attention with their uniquely bright
garments. They often sell their handiwork in artisan markets, and try
to charge the tourists a fortune. Thank goodness for successful
haggling.

Tomorrow supposedly the culmination of all sights in Central America
leads to this one: the Mayan ruins of Tikal. Nestled deep in the
jungle, this well-preserved limestone city has buildings that date
back to 3000BC. In order to get there, we are taking a 90 minute
shuttle leaving at 4:30 in the morning.

With just a few days of sightseeing left before heading home to the
states, I've gain appreciation for so many crucial things. One is a
good book. Another is a mosquito-free environment. Lastly, there's hot
water. I already know what I'm going to do the moments following my
arrival back home: drink a hefeweizen, take a 20 minute hot water
shower, and cuddle with my cat.