Flores-->Tikal-->Guatemala City

If there is a such thing as a cute city, Flores, Guatemala certainly is one. Flores is a city on a lake. It is Venice-meets-Mexico on a Guatemalan budget.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Flores_(Guatemala)

Jacob smiles and sleeps on a street in Flores:

We had a nice hotel in Tikal. Even so, it had some quirkiness: the power went out the first night around 9:45 while we were walking down the street. We did not bring flashlights and it was DARK. The second night the power went out around 3am and didn´t come back on until 6pm. Also quirky: the tinted-but-transparent panels in the bathroom door (bad photo--should have turned on the light in the BA before taking the photo)

Flores is known as being a nice place to stay near Tikal. Tikal is a remnant of the Mayan empire. Jacob and I went from Flores, Guatemala via bus to Tikal to take a peek into an ancient world.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Tikal

Jacob and I on top of Pyramid IV at Tikal. It was an amazing view.

We boarded a bus to depart Flores for Guatemala City. While leaving the bus station, we came VERY close to another (smaller) bus. It may be difficult to see, but just to the R of the Mercedes logo is a bullet hole.

Gas prices per gallon: Q27.95 => $3.62/gal.
The price doesn´t seem bad until you know the average Guatemalan makes about $2,400US a year.

There will be an election here in a few days. The two parties are actively engaged in marketing themselves. During our bus ride we saw lots of rocks (Rocks!) painted orange (PP--Patriotic Party) and green (UNE party)

At the end of our bus ride, we left the bus station for the Westin, in "Zona Viva" (neighborhoods are separated into ´zones´here, numerically labeled.

The Westin, Guatemala City, is an oasis of tranquility in the hustle and bustle of the extremely busy city. It reminded me of the "old days" when I stayed at the Ritz on Kev´s discount :) It had poofy and deluxe bedding, a lovely view, a lounge on the 9th floor where they serve you drinks and food and has a separate receptionist and free internet access.

Taxis caught in the Westin courtyard cost about 50% more than an equivalent taxi caught about 100´away, just outside the Westin driveway.

Here´s Jacob in front of one of their boquets.
The Westin hotel is frequently used for adoptions. We saw lots of couples running around with their new bundles of joy. :)

While in GC, Jacob and I went to Mercado Central... A hyper-active shopping experience. The stalls are about 8´ wide for the most part, and are inhabited by anxious salespeople who REALLY want to make a sale. They call you into their store, tell you to take a look around, etc. It was VERY MUCH like the Silk Market in Beijing. It felt friendlier, however.

The stalls are filled with loads of blankets, purses, hand-carved instruments, shoes, sandals, blouses, tablecloth--anything you can think of! Here is a shot of one of the shop keepers in traditional dress with her merchandise behind her.

Next stop: Antigua!