Personal Adventure In Guatemala Essay, Research Paper
English II AS
Through the Eyes of Chance
Looking down on all the mountains and fields was quite
astonishing from a birds eye point of view. My stomach grew
intense as my little eyes glared out the 747 jet due to
Guatemala city at 8:30 p.m. I was so small up in this
confinement, so high above the earth’s surface. The world at
this time seemed so incredibly enormous, as I was just one
spectacle of this diverse solar system of life.
“Would you like some peanuts?” spoke the airline
sturdiest. I was on my way to a foreign country to visit my
family. I hadn’t been here since I was 6 years old, which
was almost 10 years ago. My aunt, Regina was going to take
my family and I to an exotic jungle. My stomach had
butterflies in it as I thought of all the excitement.
Guatemala is a country in central America, the land
bridge of the North and South American continents. The
country ranges from booming cities to agricultural
farmlands. It is known for it’s mysterious volcanos and lava
rock beaches. But above all, there are the jungles that are
buried deep into the forests isolated from modern city
civilization.
I had been told many legends of the great jungles and
what lurked inside them. Once, my mama told me that some
tourists had taken a trip to a jungle. They started carving
their names into the walls of a cave which at one time was
the religious shrine of the Mayan Indians that lived there.
The spirits didn’t like the tourists coming to their sacred
shrine, and imposing by carving on the walls of the cave.
Nature was so important to them so the carving was like a
knife slowly stabbing the Indian spirits through the heart.
The cave collapsed on the family of tourists in revenge, and
they were never found. Now you can hear their cries
throughout the night for they suffer with the pain of a
stabbing heart. I sure do think twice when I want to make my
“We have now landed at Guatemala city approaching gate
54, thank you for flying with us and enjoy your stay.” said
a voice over the loudspeaker.
Over the next few days, I began to meet all my
relatives. I was so surprised that I had so many. Each time
I saw them, there was a custom that we had to kiss on the
cheek. I hated it! I’d rather just say hello, than have to
go up and give everyone you meet a kiss. I was so anxious to
see Regina and explore the jungles, since they completely
fascinated me. When I did see her, she had sun kissed tan
skin and was in her early fifties. Her apparel included a
polyester shirt with bright floral designs. She was a pretty
little old woman, thin and short. She had a pot belly which
was contained by a skinny belt on some baby blue pants. Her
hair was light brown with golden highlights that glistened
in the scorching sun. It hung just above her shoulders and
was quite wavy. Her make-up was all done up from ruby red
lips, to blushing cheeks. She wore a tan straw hat that
flopped over her face to protect it from the sun.
“Hola. Como estas?” Regina said to me as she left kiss
marks on my face. I had been meeting so many Spanish
jabbering people, I had no clue as to who was who. But,
after five minutes with Regina, there was no mistaking her.
Regina was taking my family and I to a place called Coban.
It was a jungle that would require a few days trip to visit.
We drove in her little burgundy red Honda Civic. Inside the
car she had little finger food sandwiches. Instead of turkey
or ham, they had frijoles, which are beans.
“I brought some bottled water because the water here
will make you sick.” Regina said. She was very curious and I
enjoyed her carefree personality.
We began our descent down towards the jungle of Coban.
It was a three hour ride on none other than gravel rocks,
because the road wasn’t paved. The constant bumpy ride began
to become immune to me. Afterall, Regina was one woman who
could talk your head off. While I gazed out the window at
the green scenery, she began to gossip on and on. We were
getting further and further from civilization every bump of
the way. An eerie feeling began to take over my imagination.
Guatemala was a corrupt country. People known as the
Guerillas could hijack our car and kill us for our money and
belongings.
” Oh! And did I tell you about what Maria said?” began
Regina. Guerrillas or danger didn’t even seem to phase her
on our journey. She still gossiped on. There were many
dangers of Guatemala. The crime rate was incredibly high. I
began to wonder why I was risking my life heading towards
the middle of nowhere.
Finally, we reached a sign that read: BIENVENIDOS A
COBAN. I stepped out of the car. Surprisingly, I could feel
my legs after being cramped so long.
“Well, are you ready to head to the bottom?” Regina
questioned. Cars were not permitted to go down there, so she
paid a man to take us in a 4 wheel drive truck. The road was
twisty and steep. Mud and rocks filled the trail. I held on
tight to the white, beaten up truck, for the narrow and
incredible steepness frightened me. When we approached the
bottom, we started walking through the green, exotic jungle.
Banana trees and plants I’d never seen were everywhere.
“Make sure you look for the Quetzal.” Regina said. It
is the famous bird of Guatemala which they base their money
system on. She raved about its bright colors and long tail.
She was so interested looking around with her binoculars and
pointing for that silly bird. I was still scared of the
jungle and what might be lurking around. As this thought
crossed my mind, I looked down to find a snake slithering
about my already tired feet! Regina ran, as I came screaming
after. My heart jumped and chills ran down my spine at the
thought of it’s presence. This place was starting to give me
the creeps. At every next step, I watched profusely at the
ground beneath me. We soon came across a beautiful water
lagoon. The clear water glittered as waterfalls fell from
the secluded rocks. The most beautiful site in the world, I
could see why the spirits protected nature. My feet were
killing me, so I jumped in the crystal clear water. The
clouds began to role in. The man who took us down said we
would have to leave before the storm came in. Otherwise, we
would never make it back up the steep terrain.
Piling in the truck we started up the rocky mountain.
Rain began to come down, soon it started pouring. My heart
raced as I watched our tires skid up the road. Regina calmed
me down insisting on the 4 wheel drive. All of a sudden the
tires were skidding, but no longer uphill. We were staying
in one place. My heart sank to my stomach like a rock into
water. This time Regina wasn’t gossiping or blabbing like
usual. She had a frantic look on her face. What if some
guerillas would come and take our lives over a worthless
camera, or our money which was gold to them. Howls and
screeches began to fulfill the air, as the rain came down
harder. Tourists were only liked for their pocessions. The
legendary story began to haunt my conscience. For all I
knew, our last hope, the man in the truck, could rob and
murder us and take some shortcut out of the jungle.
Regina said, “We can’t walk because my hip is bad and
I’d never make it.” I felt hopeless. I had always looked up
to Regina as strong and worry-free. Now, I was shattered
because I knew everyone was scared. Flashbacks of stranded
people on news headlines raced through my mind. What Regina
assumed was 4 wheel drive on that hunk of junk truck, was
merely fake hub caps. All hope was hopeless. Regina’s hair
no longer glistened in the sun and her make-up did melt
away, yet from the humid rain. I, myself soaked as I watched
the tires just spin, reluctant to move out of the dripping
mud of the mountain. Jumping on the truck was our last
opportunity. Regina tried her hardest as mud devoured her
clothing. Finally, Regina and the Guatemalan man got the
truck to move, after hours of jumping on it. It was a dream
come true. I knew this wasn’t the end.
Everyone was quiet , an uncomfortable silence, that had
you listening and hoping. We reached the town where Regina’s
car was parked. I hopped out of the truck just as the rear
tire blew, sounding like a rifle shot. It popped at the
right time, because I was just getting away from it– a
final frightening moment before we began the descent up the
gravel road. Darkness had fallen. There were bright
fireflies that flew up against the window. Each time they
crossed my eyes, I’d hope it was a light leading to a city.
I’d fool myself every time. The constant empty darkness had
me wondering; what was out there? Regina was rather quiet
during the ride home. She had seemed so nonchalant about
everything on the way over. While I was experiencing the
adventure of a lifetime, it all seemed so normal for her.
Here I was, noticing and thinking of everything bad that
could possibly happen to us, and Regina just insisted upon
gossipping and talking about tea! After today though, she
actually got scared.
After what seemed an eternity, we reached Guatemala
City. The trip to the jungle was truly an adventure of a
lifetime, an adventure, no matter what language you spoke,
we all experienced together.
English II AS Susan Heiden
6 per. 3/13/96
Through the Eyes of Chance
Looking down on all the mountains and fields was quite
astonishing from a birds eye point of view. My stomach grew
intense as my little eyes glared out the 747 jet due to
Guatemala city at 8:30 p.m. I was so small up in this
confinement, so high above the earth’s surface. The world at
this time seemed so incredibly enormous, as I was just one
spectacle of this diverse solar system of life.
“Would you like some peanuts?” spoke the airline
sturdiest. I was on my way to a foreign country to visit my
family. I hadn’t been here since I was 6 years old, which
was almost 10 years ago. My aunt, Regina was going to take
my family and I to an exotic jungle. My stomach had
butterflies in it as I thought of all the excitement.
Guatemala is a country in central America, the land
bridge of the North and South American continents. The
country ranges from booming cities to agricultural
farmlands. It is known for it’s mysterious volcanos and lava
rock beaches. But above all, there are the jungles that are
buried deep into the forests isolated from modern city
civilization.
I had been told many legends of the great jungles and
what lurked inside them. Once, my mama told me that some
tourists had taken a trip to a jungle. They started carving
their names into the walls of a cave which at one time was
the religious shrine of the Mayan Indians that lived there.
The spirits didn’t like the tourists coming to their sacred
shrine, and imposing by carving on the walls of the cave.
Nature was so important to them so the carving was like a
knife slowly stabbing the Indian spirits through the heart.
The cave collapsed on the family of tourists in revenge, and
they were never found. Now you can hear their cries
throughout the night for they suffer with the pain of a
stabbing heart. I sure do think twice when I want to make my
mark on trees and wood now.
“We have now landed at Guatemala city approaching gate
54, thank you for flying with us and enjoy your stay.” said
a voice over the loudspeaker.
Over the next few days, I began to meet all my
relatives. I was so surprised that I had so many. Each time
I saw them, there was a custom that we had to kiss on the
cheek. I hated it! I’d rather just say hello, than have to
go up and give everyone you meet a kiss. I was so anxious to
see Regina and explore the jungles, since they completely
fascinated me. When I did see her, she had sun kissed tan
skin and was in her early fifties. Her apparel included a
polyester shirt with bright floral designs. She was a pretty
little old woman, thin and short. She had a pot belly which
was contained by a skinny belt on some baby blue pants. Her
hair was light brown with golden highlights that glistened
in the scorching sun. It hung just above her shoulders and
was quite wavy. Her make-up was all done up from ruby red
lips, to blushing cheeks. She wore a tan straw hat that
flopped over her face to protect it from the sun.
“Hola. Como estas?” Regina said to me as she left kiss
marks on my face. I had been meeting so many Spanish
jabbering people, I had no clue as to who was who. But,
after five minutes with Regina, there was no mistaking her.
Regina was taking my family and I to a place called Coban.
It was a jungle that would require a few days trip to visit.
We drove in her little burgundy red Honda Civic. Inside the
car she had little finger food sandwiches. Instead of turkey
or ham, they had frijoles, which are beans.
“I brought some bottled water because the water here
will make you sick.” Regina said. She was very curious and I
enjoyed her carefree personality.
We began our descent down towards the jungle of Coban.
It was a three hour ride on none other than gravel rocks,
because the road wasn’t paved. The constant bumpy ride began
to become immune to me. Afterall, Regina was one woman who
could talk your head off. While I gazed out the window at
the green scenery, she began to gossip on and on. We were
getting further and further from civilization every bump of
the way. An eerie feeling began to take over my imagination.
Guatemala was a corrupt country. People known as the
Guerillas could hijack our car and kill us for our money and
belongings.
” Oh! And did I tell you about what Maria said?” began
Regina. Guerrillas or danger didn’t even seem to phase her
on our journey. She still gossiped on. There were many
dangers of Guatemala. The crime rate was incredibly high. I
began to wonder why I was risking my life heading towards
the middle of nowhere.
Finally, we reached a sign that read: BIENVENIDOS A
COBAN. I stepped out of the car. Surprisingly, I could feel
my legs after being cramped so long.
“Well, are you ready to head to the bottom?” Regina
questioned. Cars were not permitted to go down there, so she
paid a man to take us in a 4 wheel drive truck. The road was
twisty and steep. Mud and rocks filled the trail. I held on
tight to the white, beaten up truck, for the narrow and
incredible steepness frightened me. When we approached the
bottom, we started walking through the green, exotic jungle.
Banana trees and plants I’d never seen were everywhere.
“Make sure you look for the Quetzal.” Regina said. It
is the famous bird of Guatemala which they base their money
system on. She raved about its bright colors and long tail.
She was so interested looking around with her binoculars and
pointing for that silly bird. I was still scared of the
jungle and what might be lurking around. As this thought
crossed my mind, I looked down to find a snake slithering
about my already tired feet! Regina ran, as I came screaming
after. My heart jumped and chills ran down my spine at the
thought of it’s presence. This place was starting to give me
the creeps. At every next step, I watched profusely at the
ground beneath me. We soon came across a beautiful water
lagoon. The clear water glittered as waterfalls fell from
the secluded rocks. The most beautiful site in the world, I
could see why the spirits protected nature. My feet were
killing me, so I jumped in the crystal clear water. The
clouds began to role in. The man who took us down said we
would have to leave before the storm came in. Otherwise, we
would never make it back up the steep terrain.
Piling in the truck we started up the rocky mountain.
Rain began to come down, soon it started pouring. My heart
raced as I watched our tires skid up the road. Regina calmed
me down insisting on the 4 wheel drive. All of a sudden the
tires were skidding, but no longer uphill. We were staying
in one place. My heart sank to my stomach like a rock into
water. This time Regina wasn’t gossiping or blabbing like
usual. She had a frantic look on her face. What if some
guerillas would come and take our lives over a worthless
camera, or our money which was gold to them. Howls and
screeches began to fulfill the air, as the rain came down
harder. Tourists were only liked for their pocessions. The
legendary story began to haunt my conscience. For all I
knew, our last hope, the man in the truck, could rob and
murder us and take some shortcut out of the jungle.
Regina said, “We can’t walk because my hip is bad and
I’d never make it.” I felt hopeless. I had always looked up
to Regina as strong and worry-free. Now, I was shattered
because I knew everyone was scared. Flashbacks of stranded
people on news headlines raced through my mind. What Regina
assumed was 4 wheel drive on that hunk of junk truck, was
merely fake hub caps. All hope was hopeless. Regina’s hair
no longer glistened in the sun and her make-up did melt
away, yet from the humid rain. I, myself soaked as I watched
the tires just spin, reluctant to move out of the dripping
mud of the mountain. Jumping on the truck was our last
opportunity. Regina tried her hardest as mud devoured her
clothing. Finally, Regina and the Guatemalan man got the
truck to move, after hours of jumping on it. It was a dream
come true. I knew this wasn’t the end.
Everyone was quiet , an uncomfortable silence, that had
you listening and hoping. We reached the town where Regina’s
car was parked. I hopped out of the truck just as the rear
tire blew, sounding like a rifle shot. It popped at the
right time, because I was just getting away from it– a
final frightening moment before we began the descent up the
gravel road. Darkness had fallen. There were bright
fireflies that flew up against the window. Each time they
crossed my eyes, I’d hope it was a light leading to a city.
I’d fool myself every time. The constant empty darkness had
me wondering; what was out there? Regina was rather quiet
during the ride home. She had seemed so nonchalant about
everything on the way over. While I was experiencing the
adventure of a lifetime, it all seemed so normal for her.
Here I was, noticing and thinking of everything bad that
could possibly happen to us, and Regina just insisted upon
gossipping and talking about tea! After today though, she
actually got scared.
After what seemed an eternity, we reached Guatemala
City. The trip to the jungle was truly an adventure of a
lifetime, an adventure, no matter what language you spoke,
we all experienced together.