The Mother of all Mayans: Tikal

I decide to take a walk around the town early in the morning before the tour to Tikal. Flores streets are narrow and winding, with small, concrete sidewalks to pass and cobblestone streets for cars. The visual spectacle of the pastel colored buildings throughout the town help wake me. After about a half hour, I make my way back to the hotel. The tour we are about to embark on was put together by Luis who works with the Casa Amelia. What a great guy, Luis of Flores. Some people the minute you meet him/her you feel a connection. Luis handles everything from tours, guide book information, airplane flights, your glasses break, Luis hooks you up with a guy, you need laundry done, Luis knows where to get it done cheaper. Luis is a salesman in the street sense of the word. Always talking, hustling, taking on his percentage but reasonable. Luis and his right arm, savant guide Ace, know as the Toucan Kid led us on a five hour, 4 1/2 mile trek through the jungles of Tikal. The kind of guys you wish you meet in every town.

Tikal was a Maya city of great power and size, the largest of Maya cities during the "Classic Era" over 1000 years ago. Many beautiful buildings have been uncovered and many more wait to be discovered. Amongst the many Maya sites in Central America, Tikal is perhaps the most breathtaking because of the scattered impressive buildings which have been restored in an area with many more ruined buildings still enveloped by the jungle. The sight of the temples poking through the canopy is quite awesome. You can climb to the top of a few of the temples and get panoramic views from above the tree tops.

I am going to break up the post due to connection speed.

Luis, the 5th recipient of the NYC Keychain Award. Yea, I know he has a Red Sox jersey on.

Bill listening to Ace.

My new icon The Toucan