Semuc Champey, Tikal and the rest of Guatemala

I got out of Antigua as soon as possible. Not so much because it was boring and expensive but because two Americans that I met in my hostel got robbed by a trannie. However, they helped the Guatemalan police catch the guy (?) and were then stuck waiting in Antigua for the things that were stolen as well as to give testimony....for 3 weeks. I'm strangely relieved that I'm not the only one relegated to having strange stories about transexuals. It makes me feel better. Anyway, the Americans suggested a hostel to stay in near Semuc Champey. I grabbed a bus to a town called Lanquin which is near Semuc Champey (a natural limestone formation).

Someone started this hostel called the Zephyr which is in the middle of a valley with a river nearby in the Guatemalan highlands. Completely cut off and beautiful. It was the first time in awhile that I've stayed in a hostel for more than two nights. Semuc Champey is a natural "bridge" that goes over an underground river. On top are these amazing pools that you can swim in and also a system of caves. You can walk thru one of the systems lighting your way with a candle. This might seem easy enough but there were a few problems. 1) It's pitch black. 2) The caves have a river running thru them. There are areas so deep where you have to tread water to get thru. Have you ever had to tread water while moving forward with one hand and using the other hand to keep your only light source above your head out of the water? You have? Well then, you know how hard it is. 3) It's not a nice, gently flowing stream. There were areas of whitewater rapids and whirlpools where its hard to walk. I saw my life flash before my eyes a few times. Regardless, it was a ton of fun except for the bats...which still scare the bejesus out of me. No matter how many times people tell me that they're just like rats with wings I can't help think that the only thing more terrifying than the concept of a rat that flies is a great white shark that flies...and who wants that?



Anyway, I met some really cool Swedish dudes who proved to further embarrass me and cement my opinion of American education. These guys probably spoke better English than me (ok, definitely spoke better English than me) and most of them were atleast trilingual at the age of 21. They also were good musicians and some of the smartest people I've met on this trip so far. We need to clean up our act or I need to marry a Swedish person and move there. Or both. Yes, I admit it to my friends who have always called me a closet European. Europeans are in fact better than us in almost every way. Except for the fact that we had Motown...like in the 60's.

I left for Tikal which is on this cool little island in Northern Guatemala. Got a cheap room right on the water for next to nothing. Tikal itself was a great experience. It was raining almost from the moment I got there and I didn't bring any rain gear but the rain made the ruins almost completely deserted and really, well, a true spiritual experience. Like Machu Picchu where it was raining too, I felt like I saw the ruins as they were supposed to be seen. The land of Tikal available to walk around is pretty massive and I was privy to see alot of immense pyramids and temples without a soul around. Climbing to the top of Temple IV too, you can see why George Lucas used it for a scene in a Star Wars movie. I'd definitely go again. I'm going to try and dry my clothes before going to Mexico tomorrow but deep down I know...that's not going to happen.