June 27, 2017
to Flores: its an island
"It's only 21km from here" Patrick says after checking GPS at our rest stop. Nothing is sweeter than realizing it's 21 and not 40 more kilometers as we thought. Then it occurred to us that the map profile we were following today was wrong because we went further yesterday.
As we cycle past fields, we hear a gobbling sound and we both say almost at the same time.... "Thanksgiving, this year". As we get closer to the USA, we realize we are going to need to be re-enculturated. We've started with the Western fast food outlets, those foods you don't generally eat at home but crave for the familiar when on the road. Another, is remembering toilet paper goes into the toilet and not in the bin. In some countries, there is no collection for trash so it is just tossed at the side of the road, later to be swept in a pile and burned. We would carry only to find out it makes no difference. The money wouldn't be quite the shock as when we first saw the US dollar again in Ecuador used more than just paying for visas at borders. Along with Panama and El Salvador, these countries use the US dollar as their currency. And then there is back to trusting the tap water as safe to drink. In many countries this will probably never happen, safe drinking water from the tap. Patrick sees that there is too much money made selling bottled water.
We arrive in Flores very early around 9:00. We check out Posada Don Juan where the Shaw's stayed. A nice place, but riding in we spotted Mirador del lago and decide a fan room will do. For 140Q, room with balcony overlooking the lake, WiFi does work in our room but mostly only in the central sitting area, and hot water shower. We arrange a tour to Tikal through Maya Land. Rachel finds a Guatemala postcard to send to our neighbours Jeremy and Stacy kids, Sara and Lucca. There just isn't a postal system in this part of Guatemala.
Tomorrow a rest day, if hiking around Tikal is considered a rest.
Today's ride: 49 km (30 miles)
Total: 34,037 km (21,137 miles)
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