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Written by Keith Rhoades
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Sunday, 03 April 2005 |
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Hi...its 9 am here and I just arrived in Antigua. Sorry I did not get a chance to write yesterday. Lets see...after Flavio picked me up Sunday night we went back to his place and it was like night and day compared to the last few days. He lives in a gated community in a 2 story condo..It was beautiful and it only cost $50K to buy!!! After I got freshened up he took me out to dinner...we went to a nice Nicaraguan restaurant. He is actually Nicaraguan but escaped the war to Kansas! where he lived for 2 years, then moved to Honduras and now in Guatemala for 10 years. Very interesting person. I did not get to be until 11 pm and I had to wake up at 4 am Monday I woke up at 4 am and he drove me to the airport where I caught a 6:30 am flight to Tikal...an hour flight. There I got off and met up with my tour Guide David. What an incredible day. The tour consisted of me, the guide David and Corina..who has lived in Boston for 18 years but was born in Guatemala but never saw Tikal. Our guide was a great guy...19 years old but very smart and totally into environment and ecology and knowledgeable about Mayan culture. Tikal was incredible...and I can now say I prefer Tikal over Machu Picchu. The ruins are incredible and it is in the middle of the jungle! We saw crocodiles, spiders, lizards, snakes, toucans, monkey, lemurs and all kind of birds! The way the ruins tower above the jungle canopy is incredible and I climbed to the top of every one of them!!! Corina was great company and I know have a new friend in Boston. After 6 hours of hiking in the jungle the three of us had a late lunch and then we had to catch the 5:30 flight back to Guatemala City. I got back to Guatemala City and Flavio picked me up and we went out to Dinner and then went to see the Pope vigil which was very interesting! I got home about 9:30 and passed out! This morning I woke up at 6 am and Flavio drove me to Antigua and I just got here and got a room for the night and reserved a sport for a 1 pm tour of Pacaya...the most active volcano here with lava flows and everything. So after I finish this...going to the bank, cafe, walk a little and then go on the 8-hour volcano tour for only $5. Tomorrow, Thursday and Friday I am just playing by ear and Friday night Flavio is picking me up in Antigua to head back to Guatemala.
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