Guatemala

Well, we are now in Guatemala! We crossed the border from Belize. We were told not to pay a fee to get into Gua., however the Customs official was charging $2. each (ludicrous such a small unofficial amount). I said that I would not pay and that I wanted a receipt. He said a receipt would take time and that I must see someone else in another line (having taken 15 minutes to get to the front of this line). So I said that he should give it to me and then another officer came and verified the charge. They then ignored me. I reached for my passport and they moved it out of my reach. ....so I gave up and paid! A Frenchman behind us, shouted and demanded to see officials - they let him through. How to take advantage of reasonable jobs!

Later as we got closer to our destination, we were told to get off our first class bus and hop onto a min-bus (we`ve done that before) to go the last couple of km. onto an island joined by a causeway to the mainland. So that was fine - I said that we needed a bank first (no banks on this island) and we had no currency. No problem, I`ll wait for you at the ATM. Fine. That was a 15 minute line as well - they are few and far between here (this one only allotted so much money per customer). ....strange I thought... I know that time is of little consequence here so...we got our money and he took us to the town. He was trying to sell us tours and transportation (like in so many places) and the pressure is always on. We insisted on finding our own hotel at our speed. Of course he waited and wanted to sell a tour for the next day. We checked a couple in town and they all seemed similar. So we bought from the guy - his office was on the mainland and closing for the day. He promised us coffee on our 3:30am sunrise tour to Tikal. He promised that we could take any bus back.

Suffice to say the sunrise was fantastic!! and walking in Tikal in the dark with night still there was very nice.

It wasn`t too long before we realized everyone was on the same tour - no coffee. Some had even been promised breakfast!

About this time we realized that it was part of the game to transfer us to the mini-bus. The mini-bus guy pays the big bus guy to tranfer passengars in the hope of selling tours, etc. to you. ....so a different way to do business. Everybody paying everybody else and everyone competing for all of the business. Tough for everyone, it seems. We did fine, had a great time but did not like the lying and deceit. The guy had even introduced us to `^our great English speaking guide^- never saw him again - and -ôur superior tour^^ -.,,,, guess this makes travel interesting and shows you how these poorer countries sometimes operate.

....maybe it happens at home too and in governments and so on - this is just what we saw here.

We enjoyed the sunrise in Tikal and then the boat ride down a river to the coast again. We are relaxing today before we head off to the city tomorrow and towards the place where Spanish lessons begin in earnest on Monday.

By the way, we enjoyed the beaches of Belize and the laid back atmosphere of Caye Caulker. Tulum in Mexico also had crystal clear waters and sunshine (and a few wonderful ruins with a seaview as well).