To Central America- 3/25/10

It was time. Neither Travis nor I had been out of the country in a year. I had only been out of the state once during that same period of time. After some discussion, we agreed to hike in Guatemala and end the vacation with some relaxation in Belize.

We flew Central American airline Taca Air from Orlando with a connection in El Salvador and an ultimate destination of Belize City. The Belize City airport was nothing like I expected. I anticipated Managua, Nicaragua, a bustling mess of hussle and poverty. Instead we easily strolled through immigration and customs, effortlessly changed our money, and immediately found a cab.

We got to the bus station at 10:30, just missing the bus to Flores, Guatemala. The next bus was scheduled for 2:30 so we settled in for some quick emails home. About the time we got logged on to the computers, a series of pops went of outside the station. Travis looked at me and asked, "were those gun shots?" A crowd gathered at the door much like would happen during a high school fight. Yep, those were gun shots. We grabbed our bags and cautiously made our way outside. Some Aussies (I think) informed us that a jewelry store robbery was thwarted by the ever vigilant Belizean police. As the culprit attempted to escape on his bicycle, several officers shot him to death.

We were a bit spooked after the shooting and decided to lay low for the rest of the morning. We quickly stumbled on a shack run by an amiable Belizean man named, Herman. Herman sold beer and not much else out of his little hut. Stories about his days as a police officer were free and mandatory. He had no posted prices. Your fee depended on your country of origin and how much Herman liked you. We paid about $1.50 while the Austrians forked out about twice as much.

Herman once shot a man in the forehead. In self defense of course. Besides, the "bastard should have known not to fuck with" Herman. He carried guns on either shoulder so all the world would know not to mess with him.

After a few local brews (Belikin), fifteen or so Herman stories, and mixed impressions of Belize, we headed to the bus station and took off for Guatemala.