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

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.

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.