Day 12: Roxie and the Machete

This was the best day of our whole trip.

Why? Roxie.

Roxie is the coowner of the Tikal Inn. She's a trained archeologist and wonderful, open person. She gave us a 4 hour tour of the secrets of Tikal. She could explain how to use the plants, how to build the buildings and put together the story of the rise and fall of the Mayan civilization in a way that was real, made sense and was heartbreaking.

We found out that a lunatic Spanish priest had burned most of the Mayan codices, the books that encapsulated all of the Mayan knowledge and culture. As pennance he was forced by the Spanish king to write a book that would allow people to interpret those that were left. The Mayans knew that the earth revolved around the sun. They knew anatomy. What else did they know that we have lost? To me this sounds like it was on a par with the burning of the Alexandria Library.

Roxie liked us too! She took us into town so we could do a little shopping. She knew that I really wanted to get a machete for my son. (Aren't I a good Mom?) He's 17, it's OK. And she took us to the grittiest, muddiest market and negotiated for a machete for me! My son will treasure it forever.

We split up so she could visit friends and we could buy souvenirs and she picked us up later. We helped her with errands and generally felt part of her life. We feel like we made a real friend. So unexpected and so wonderful.

Belize Trip Back Blips
Day 1: Lost Luggage and Laminai
Day 2: The Ruins of the British (and Mayan) Empires
Day 3: Journey to Chan Chich
Day 4: Jungle Oasis
Day 5: It's a jungle out here
Day 6: We win the Survivor reward challenge
Day 7: Floating down the river to infinity
Day 8: A Military Escort
Day 9: People Watching
Day 10: Toilet Humour
Day 11: Tikal Immersion
Day 12: Roxie and the Machete
Day 13: Communing with Tikal
Day 14: Slash and Burn
Day 15: Swimming with Sharks
Day 16: Passage of the Mangroves
Day 17: Exploring San Pedro
Day 18: Lost and Found