Chapter 7

Home and Conclusion

We also visited the Ix Chaa Farm where they raise and protect medicinal plants. Our walk through the jungle area to see these plants was a bit distracting since the mosquitoes were out in force. We were glad to retreat to the river and ride in the two big motorized dugouts down the river to get back to town (even if ours did leak a bit!)

Somewhat precarious when the guide pointed out one of the orange iguanas or beautiful egrets high in the tree on one side of the boat and everyone leaned to look that way, the boat tipped the other way. Those of us in the rear got a bit damp.

The next day was our trip to Belize City. On the way we stopped at the Belize Zoo to see the display of endangered native animals. Finally saw our first jaguar, although he was smart enough to be sleeping in the shade during the heat of the day.

Click here for pictures of the Belize Zoo

After checking into our hotel at Belize City — right on the Caribbean — we changed into our swimming suits and took a speedy powered launch out to Goff Key (a little island with only 10 palm trees).

It took about 30 minutes but was well worth it since we enjoyed the swimming and snorkeling. I saw 6 weird little fish. Too cute.

On the way back the captain slowed for a few minutes to join a group of dolphins who swam alongside of us for several minutes — rising up and down like merry-go-round animals. Totally awesome!

Click here for pictures of my traveling group

The next day was our "departure day" but since our planes didn’t leave until late afternoon some of us spent the morning exploring the "city" — not too impressive. I expected it to be much bigger but maybe we missed the main part. Having been hit by a major hurricane a couple weeks previously didn’t help.

Anyway, I had a nice flight back with very short layover in Houston — always nicer when I could visit with the other two ladies that came from Western Washington. I came home with mosquito bites, a coral cut on my toe, and a feeling of survival.

People keep asking if I had a "good" trip

Educational — all that Mayan history

Enlightening — in spite of deprivation the people come up with things as beautiful as ikat fabric

Disgusting — 3 D’s at many "potty" stops (dark, damp & dirty)

Beautiful — Lake Atitlan

Fascinating — Blue Morpho butterflys (personal preference?????)

Gratifying — making it to the top of Castillo & Temple 4

Healthy — I learned the value of Amodium and Pepto Bismal (one stops it and the other kills it)

Depressing — the lack of educational opportunities for beautiful little children

Exciting — snorkeling with the colorful fish

Exhausting — climbing Temple 4

Rewarding — Copan; when you’ve read/taught about a place for years, I finally made it — and it’s great!

Humiliating — potato sorters throwing potatoes at the bus because they resented being stared at (I don’t blame them)

Entertaining — bargaining in Chichicastenango market

Expensive — I HAD to buy all that fabric

That’s what kind of trip I had. Yes, it was a good trip.

The beautiful children of Guatemala, click here.

THE END

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