Yesterday we started the day with more boat chores and grant writing. We set up the dehumidifier and back-up battery charger on the boat. We were told to set the humidity level to 70% in the boat, which we all thought sounded quite high, but we followed the recommendation (otherwise, we were told, it would be quite expensive to have the dehumidifier on all the time). We ordered two tarps to cover the boat when we leave it, mostly to protect it from the scorching sun. By late afternoon we were done and ready to head out of town for a few days.
We drove north in the setting sun, watching out the window of our van as the locals walked, biked and socialized along the roadside. The roadside was bustling with activity. It was a beautiful scene- very peaceful and welcoming. Our police security (that have been following us since our (the kids) first day in Guatemala) followed behind us as we zigged and zagged into the hills. We arrived at our destination just as complete darkness set in. Our destination was a rural finca (ranch) with many sleeping accommodations, excellent food, and fun options for activities. The finca is between Rio Dulce and Tikal, two hours from both. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, looked at a beautiful night sky filled with bright stars, and then quickly fell asleep.
Today Brian and I worked diligently on our grant proposal. By mid-afternoon we were done and ready to relax (thanks to a lot of help from Diana in Alaska- Chickaloon Village’s accounting guru)! Just then a torrential tropical rainstorm happened complete with crashing thunder, lightening and buckets and buckets of rain. As soon as the rain stopped (about 30 minutes later) we took a walk around the finca. We decided to try the ‘pyramid’ hike, up a pyramid-shaped hill. It was a nearly vertical climb and very slippery with mud forcing us to use our hands to grab vines, roots, and rocks for handholds. The hill was covered with thick jungle-like vegetation and it was saturated from the heavy rain. I was very proud of Mom who negotiated the treacherous slopes and rocks and vines very well. We were all a little muddy by the time we went up and down the hill. Fortunately the finca had a pond for swimming where we could wash ourselves off and enjoy a skinny dip in the evening dusk with bats flying overhead, planets glowing in the sky and a sliver of a moon setting. It is much cooler here and we are actually enjoying wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts. All in all it was a good day, now we are off to bed with the sounds of a tropical night and the fireflies to light our way.
