Epic Easter, Part 2

...So we left off with me and the crew getting in a small van and traveling from Belize City to the northern part of Guatemala. (If you're confused, check out Part 1)

Our main goal was to visit the Mayan ruins of Tikal, but they are pretty removed from civilization, so we needed to find a place to stay. We decided on a small town called Flores, which happens to be on an island in a lake. It was pretty sweet.

The next day (which happened to be my birthday) we got up early and took a bus to the Mayan ruins. First, it is rare for most Americans to be in a place that has existed for thousands of years. Second, it's amazing to see the ruins of s civilization that at one time was so powerful and who thought they were the greatest in the world, and now they have nothing to show for it except some epic ruins

Out of the jungle emerges... GIANT
RUIN CITY... and Dan

Click the picture to see it larger

Watch out for ledges.

People lived here once. Like twelve
centuries ago.

After the ruins it was time to migrate again, this time on an overnight bus to Antigua, Guatemala. Now, if you remember my Easter week last year, it included a day in Comayagua. In both cities, there are large celebrations and parades during Semana Santa/Holy Week. Like Comayagua, people in Antigua set up big murals on the streets the night before the parades. The murals are meticulously constructed with colored sawdust. As the parades come through the city, they walk straight through the sawdust, scattering the colors all around. It's weird, captivating, and confusing all at once.

The famous arch of Antigua

Actor portraying an important angry guy

Construction of the alfombras

Did I mention the volcano
overlooking Antigua?

The whole city was set up like a
street fair, which means awesome food!

Did I mention street food?

Of course, we had some adventures, including hostel-finding extravaganzas, staying at the "Jungle Party" hostel, meeting a random Aussie guy who loved to talk, midnight roadside bathroom breaks with no bathroom, and more! Traveling in Central America is always unpredictable and exciting!

If you want t hear more about the trip, leave a comment or email me at DDStoddard11@gmail.com or hang out with me this summer when I'm back in the states!