The Future of Petén

I finally got to see more of Guatemala by land yesterday. I left Flores, Petén, with Kara and Nadia at 6 a.m. Hector, our friend and driver, was behind the wheel and we headed south for hours on straight roads passing more treeless land than I had seen my entire time in Guatemala. The vast [...]

FLORES, Guatemala — A bottle of clear water was set before me, drops of condensation from the recent refrigeration clinging to its sides. I just had to twist off the cap and drink. And I did, and it was good and tasted just like water should taste, like nothing but refreshing just the same. Of [...]

Recap of trek to Mirador through photos.

http://flickr.com/photos/futureofpeten/sets/72157606083284821/
The biodiversity of the Petén rainforest would take a lifetime to learn but even with just three days there I was able to see Machacas (lantern bugs), scorpions, snakes, cicadas with red eyes and so much more.

We have had the incredible privilege and fortune to walk into working archaeological sites where real investigations are going on before our eyes. Now this is not Indiana Jones-style archeology. There are no shoot outs, the only fedora is being worn by Kara

Kara lances a blister on her left foot. After 50+ miles of hiking in two days we all suffered from blisters.

Five-seventeen in the morning and I open my eyes. Body is a bit twisted but otherwise fine from a night spent in a hammock. The roosters have begun their morning calls. Outside the soft light of the early morning sky is reflected in the water of the lake. Within minutes we have all moved. Kara [...]

Finally I am ready to board the plane for Guatemala. Anticipation is high, fatigue is present but I’m excited. Been feeling left out as Kara, Nadia and Michael have been on the ground a few days now.
Next post from Flores! See you then!

It is after midnight Friday morning and we are sitting around Michael’s table dealing with all the little stuff and the not so little stuff. Kara wants to know if we are getting the rope in Guate or Stateside.

BISHOP, Calif. — I remember my first contact with Mayan culture and history. In 2001, I explored the Mexican states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán watching as the Mayan Riviera exploded unlike anything this peninsula had seen in 30+ years. I walked around with my camera making pictures and thinking. So this is the future [...]