I finally got to have some beauty sleep at Marriot-Guatemala City Hotel, after spending the last few days with Sam’s family. At 4 AM, I woke up and got ready for my flight to Flores, Peten (a Guatemalan state) with David and Alvaro. We then went to Guatemala International Airport (GUA), where I was lucky to arrive a little bit early because it turned out that we were supposed to be at a different terminal, not the main terminal! We had to take a taxi to the opposite side of the airport, about ten minutes away. After checking in, we had to wait for more than 30 minutes before boarding the plane. The flight only took 45 minutes to get to Flores. Peten, where Flores is located, is the largest state in Guatemala. It was a fascinating sight outside the plane window, seeing the town of Flores coming up, based on an island full of small buildings in Lake Petenitza.
When we landed and exited the plane, I got ambushed by a whole herd of taxi drivers and tour operators. I had to look around for my own taxi driver, and found him holding up a small card with my name “Joel Barish” on it. We also picked up our own guide, and left for Tikal National Park. On the way to Tikal, I noticed many signs along the road cautioning us about animals such as jaguars, snakes, coatis, and operalla turkeys. Seeing those signs, it made me feel like as if I was in the jungle for real. We arrived and found out that our rooms were not ready, so we decided to take an early lunch before starting our long journey into Tikal. After lunch, we started our tour. Our tour guide was pretty clever by using my tripod to demonstrate some things on the map of Tikal. I saw a sign warning about alligators nearby, but I didn’t think it was real. However, David caught an alligator near me, about two feet away! Now I definitely trust the signs. The tour guide also saw a three-inch-long poisonous snake. It looked like a newborn.
Being in the jungle was a surreal feeling. We couldn’t hear anything, because of course we’re Deaf. The guide listened out for us, pointing sources of different sounds, including some spider monkeys jumping from tree to tree. It was an awesome view! David kept looking up, afraid of the monkeys possibly throwing some coconuts at us. We were getting close, and kept on through the jungle. Then Temple IV came into view, and we began climbing the 200 steps up to the top. It was a long walk up! We finally arrived at the top, and the view was breathtaking! From there, the other three temples, I, II, III, were located, along with vast swathes of rainforest. Parts of Tikal, such as Temple IV, are fighting an ongoing battle against the encroaching jungle today.
The tour continued on to the other temples. We went to Temple V, which was very fascinating, and we had to climb up on some very steep wooden stairs mainly because the temple stairs weren’t safe to climb due to age. They’re also being restored by the park staff now. I finally reached the top of Temple II, and could see Temple I in front of me! We took a perfect picture of us and the view. After completing the tour, I thought about how amazing it was to see how they built all of this from scratch! It was definitely a rewarding tour for me. I saw so many animals roaming around freely, an interesting sight since we mostly tend to see them in zoos. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see some jaguars and pumas, but my guide did see a jaguar ten feet away from us.
We went back to our hotel and checked ourselves in. David decided to go swim in the pool, while I took a quick shower and freshened up. We all dressed up in comfortable clothes and went to the restaurant called “Jungle Inn.” The food was very delicious, and as we ate there was a full moon above us! The moon gave us great light as we walked back to our hotel. There was no streetlights along the route we took back. When hearing guests visit here, they have to buy ear plugs because of all the howling by animals during the night. I joked to a hearing guest that we will sleep well tonight because of our Deafness! We got things set for another Tikal adventure tomorrow, and went to sleep. Buenas Noches!
Get connected with Sorenson VRS® for easy to use features and free services. Sorenson provides access to industry-leading E911 services. Sorenson has handled more 911 emergency calls than all other IP providers combined. Learn more at www.sorensonvrs.com.
November 11th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
En Español(spanish)
Hola Joel y David:
TIKAL Peten es muy bonito y grande porque los mayas se hicieron los templos
que eran para honrar a sus DIOSES y le gustaba observar el universo, por medio
de estos unidos hicieron el primer calendario que es el que usamos, también
se sabe de los juegos de football (Mayas “el futbol goool”).
Entre a agricultura ellos cultivaron el maíz, frijol y el cacao que usaban como moneda, y de donde se saca el chocolate.
Usaban mucho el JADE que es una roca especial de donde hacia collares, aretes,
joyería en general, los mayas son muy importantes para todos pues hicieron
cosas muy importantes para la humanidad. También cuentan que entre TIKAL y
otras cuidades importantes como COPAN, IXIMCHÉ COZUMEL y ZACULEU hay túnel
debajo de tierra que los comunica.
TIKAL era una lugar sagrado religiosa y astronómico.
Muchas Gracias por venir a GUATEMALA espero seguir en contacto con ustedes
espero podamos apoyarnos en el futuro.
Siempre seran BIENVENIDOS a este su país de la “Eterna Primavera”, GUATEMALA
Felicitaciones por nuestro amigo Sordo, el se le llama ALVARO
Saludos…
JOSE ARTURO GOMEZ
In English(ingles)
Hello Joel y David:
TIKAL, Peten is very beautiful and bigger because Mayans made temples to praise
their GODS and they liked to watch the universe, by making these studies they
made the first calendar, which is the one that we use today. They also made the
game of small football (Mayans “fooTball goaaal”).
In agriculture they raised corn, beans and cacao which they used as money and they also take chocolate out of it.
They used JADE a lot too, a very valuable stone that they used to make necklaces,
earnings and lots of jewelry, Mayans were very important because they made so many important things for humanity. They say that between TIKAL and other important cities like COPAN, IXIMCHÉ COZUMEL and ZACULEU there is an underground tunnel that connects them.
TIKAL was a sacred, religious and astronomical place.
Thank you very much for coming to GUATEMALA. I hope to keep in touch with you
and that I could help you in the future.
YOU’RE always WELCOME to this country of the “Eternal Spring”, GUATEMALA
Congratulations by our friend Deaf, her name is ALVARO.
Greetings…
JOSE ARTURO GOMEZ
November 12th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Eso es interesante!!!!!! El Piramide del Templo de la Luna en Tikal, Peten, es la más grande de las antiguas ciudades de los mayas del período clásico. y nos orgullosamente de nuestra patria!!!!! y gracias por haber mostrado las fotos son realmente bonitas.
Gracias por su oportunidad de estar en presente de Guatemala por haber recorrido en diferentes departamentos de Guatemala.
Te tengo un gran cariño y especialmente a Joel y David!!!!!
y un gran mejor guia, un gran interprete (ASL) y un gran mejor amigo!!!!
Gracias por su compartimos y especialemtne a Alvaro de Leon por haber recorrido en 10 dias con Joel y David.
Que Dios te colmen bendiciones!!!!!!
Y te vamos a extrañar……..
y que tenga buen viaje y descanses bastantes Joel y David!!!!!
Yo
(Morenita)
November 12th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Hi Joel and David
-Muy Suerte !!!, Tikal miraba el bosque hermoso y Ruinas.
TIKAL Peten es muy bonito y porque antes historia los mayas.
-Very lucky! , Tikal looked beautiful forest and Ruins. TIKAL Peten is very pretty and because before history the Mayans.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Hola Joel-
I can see you have a GOOD HEARTED to EVERYONE in each country for DEAF COMMUNITY. I ADMIRE your THOUGHTS and SUPPORTS. I am so ENRAVISHED to read your blogs daily! Where is the NEXT TRIP?!? As of what David said South Africa? heh
Joel/David- Welcome back to HOME (USA, Have a safe flight! )You both did a very MARVELOUS JOB!!!! I bet you guys did have a BLAST in Guatemala to give you guys an RICH EXPERIENCES and WORTH IT TO LEARN.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Soy Sordo profundo en Guatemala. puede adquirir naturalmente una lengua, -que se adapte a sus condiciones físicas-, y la estructurará cuando esa lengua esté a su alcance en su entorno. Que lindo en el Tikal de Guatemala, tu regreso a Guatemala excelente, Vamos a la Asociación Nacional de Sordos de Guatemala - ANSGUA -, saludos amigo
December 31st, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Hello Joel. It’s in amazing world as you’re look-like Indy Jones where is there is exploring such in treasure place. Ting