Posted on July 22nd, 2008 by aj
We went to the rain forests of northern Guatemala to see the ruins of an ancient city and temple complex at Tikal. Before dawn we climbed to the top of the tallest temple where the peaks of the ziggurats are all that poke above the trees. The sun rose through the canopy mist and painted [...]
Posted on July 21st, 2008 by aj
Guatemala, like most of Central America has been stuck in a post colonial, feudal hangover for hundreds of years. After Cortez conquered Mexico, he sent a demon named Pedro de Alverado to pacify the Mayans and find gold. De Alverado enslaved the local people with gusto and brought the priesthood along to convert them. The [...]
Posted on July 20th, 2008 by aj
I love border crossings. I’m always fascinated that culture can change so abruptly within a few feet and it always reminds me that in the 21st century we’re all still huddling in armed camps. These transition zones also are often an opportunity to see a country at its worst. Borders grow their own special ecology [...]
Posted on July 19th, 2008 by aj
One early morning after a two hour boat ride to the middle of nowhere we came to The Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is an ancient underground sea cave who’s roof has collapsed leaving a great dimple in the continental shelf. Our open water PADI certification is for 60ft but the blue hole dive is [...]
Posted on July 18th, 2008 by aj
The first thing we did was to motor out to the cayes and plop ourselves in the Caribbean proper. The cayes are just sand that piled on top of reefs and is now sort of held in place by colonial coconut and banana trees. Reggae takes over from the city’s American Hip-Hop. We based ourselves [...]