Day 16: Tikal (and the Mall)

Remember that totally dope scene from Star Wars?

This was shot in 1977. So, I believe that makes this site historic.

So here I am being historic: checking out the remains of the 1977 Star Wars Set. 

The Dutch girl who took this photo asked me a few minutes later, "Excuse me, I have a really stupid question. You look like you wouldn't mind a stupid question," to which, I must say I was very pleased, "Could I wear your mosquito hat? It's one of my dreams"

"Dream on girl, and GET LOST!" Is not what I said. I said, "Making dreams come true is what I do sister."

The structures in the park were quite scientific. Mayan math is really different. They only have written symbols for 0, 5, and 10, yet make all sorts of math happen.

Below is another historic feature from the 1970s. Reminds me of some of the greats works of art in Ohio from the same time. Like Gemini and Mean Streak.

These ants are supposed to taste like carrots. I didn't taste much.

This tree in Mayan is known as The Tree of Life. They got the idea from the Terrence Mallick film.

I just read this book, The War of Art. My Nook just broke the other day, and this is the 1 physical book I brought with me. It was gifted to me by Jeff, and I thought it was a pretty great read. 

My take away: If you want to be good at art, then stop treating it like a hobby. It deserves the same amount of time and respect that we give our jobs. For me, a big part of that is showing up on time, work until the day is over, whether you want to or not. If you put yourself in that place, with routine, in enough time, the muse is bound to reward you with proper inspiration, and you'll be there ready to pound away with hard work. You're friends may have to go golfing by themselves, but se la vie.

Getting back from Tikal into the city of Flores

I went to the shopping mall.

It got much more populated after I took these photos. It was all locals. I thought it was interesting that there were 5 ice cream stores, which accounts for about 20% of all stores. It is really hot here, and most of the people around the mall were middle-school kids in uniforms. They were all eating ice cream, running around giggling.

I went out to eat and got this burrito. I sat next to an ex-pat from Orlando. He was an electrician for 35 years, and when the economy fell through he moved to Nicaragua, and has been living off his social security. 

It became apparent quite quickly that he is a bit of a pervert. At 76 years old, he kept talking about a pair of sisters that he... *cough* attends to, that are 19 and 22. He explains to me his dream, "My buddy came down here at 60, found a 24 year old wife, came back and now that he's in his 80s, he has a full time nurse."

Love works in mysterious ways...

"Honestly, I'm not even attracted to white girls anymore. Golden is good my friend, golden is good." The conversation went in all sorts of ways. I mostly listened and asked questions as I picked his brain. He declined when I asked if I could take his picture, "That would maybe cause trouble at the courthouse." He laughed, and I wondered if he was joking. 

He is white guy with tired eyes, and a mustache that is yellowing under the nose, but white on the ends. Unlike the many young travelers I've been enjoying my time with, Bud was escaping. 

I have a fairly in depth journal I've been keeping with much longer descriptions and conversations with the people I'm bumping into. While most of it is quite personal, I will share bits and pieces of them here.

Yesterday a girl sleeping above my hammock found out she was pregnant with a baby from a guy that she's been traveling with for 2 months. Lindsey and I were some of the first people she opened up to was quite a rich experience. 

At the end of the conversation, I added, "By the way, I'm Chris. What's your name?" 

I'm not calling myself funny, but we all had a good laugh. And I'm hilarious.

The locals say we are at the high point of an 80 year cycle of water levels. In another 40 years they say this road won't be flooded.

The indigenous people do not like their photo taken, so I can't show you a picture of Toto, but he took us up to this look out which we would have NEVER found without him. He told us the folklore of area, and about prince blacksnake and how he captured a princess. 

Coming up? I'm headed on an overnight bus to Antigua today, June 11th at 9 PM.