Ruin Me

Finding the internet has been hard these past days. I have been going, going, going and haven't had the time or satellite signal to post all of my adventures....trying to remember where I have been...

Went to Semuc Champey for the second time. It was even more amazing this time! The water was bluer, the tour was more extensive and weather was perfect!

semuc champey

amazing

My friend Niki got bed bugs from El Retiro, along with about 3 other people! I also had my first encounter with a scorpion. While we were eating dinner and having a lively conversation one of the girls let out a horrifying scream saying that something had bit her. We all thought that she was paranoid because she had been one of the people bitten by bed bugs. Since there had been a snake sighting earlier, I decided to look under the table and see if there was a snake in our midst...and to my surprise there was a small black scorpion right by her foot! UGH! I immedietly thought she was a goner. We were quickly assured by the locals that scorpion bites are not that big of a deal. They hurt like hell for a while, but that's all that happens. It was a close call, but she made it through just fine!

mmm...scorpion

The next day we made our way up to Flores. It was a long and hot 7 hour shuttle ride, but it was worth the wait because we got to stay at a vegetarian hostel called Los Amigos! It was good food and great accommodations!

Flores is only about an 1.5 hours away from Tikal where all the Mayan ruins are. We caught the bus at 5 am to make it to Tikal nice and early. It was amazing to see all the history and experience the wonder of the temples and architecture. It was a mind blowing experience that I just can't even begin to put into words. The only downside of my experience at Tikal was that I LOST MY HAT!! Yes, my amazing indian jones hat is gone. It was a sad day for me...especially because someone found my hat...told me where it was...and when got there the guy that had it wasn't there...and I was leaving at 5 am the next morning for Belize....I was so close to retrieval...but so far away...I guess I will just have to find an even better hat somewhere else (if that is even possible!)

my impression of apocalypto--pushing the bodies down the stairs! I was the ultimate sacrifice :)

cool, huh? the pictures don't even do it justice

So, now I am in Belize. We are on the island of Caye Caulker. It is a small island in the Caribbean. The water is unbelievably blue. The sand is white. And hammocks are abundant. The prices for rooms and food are ridiculously expensive, but it has been a nice little vacation of doing nothing (I know that sounds like an oxymoron since my life is a vacations...but traveling and sitting on shuttles can really take it out of you!!! so down time to do nothing in great!) It was a shock to come from Guatemala, which is really cheap, to Belize that is way too expensive. 3 days is all that I can afford to spend here.

thanks you very much!

relaxation station

yep...this is the life!

Tomorrow we are off to Tulum, Mexico. There is a hostel there that is supposed to be right on the beach with free beach cruiser rentals. I am very excited to be in Mexico for Halloween and Dia de los muertos! Should be great fun and an interesting experience!

Will be in Mexico until November 24th. Will keep you all updated on what's happening in our neighbor to the south! I am thrilled to be going back to a spanish speaking country...my espanol still needs some work and I am getting no practice in Belize!

Well, more to come soon....until next time amigos...GOODBYE (can't say adios since I am in an english speaking country)

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