Another long day of travel… its just so terrible getting up in the morning and having to ride in a bus or van for 10 hours. Instead of going to work for twelve…lol
I left San Cristobal early this morning and got a seat in the collectivo (think bastard love child of 15 passenger van and a minivan) This one would take us the four hours to the Mexican border. Now I was kinda concerned as I was in Mexico illegally(shhh) Crossing the northern border they don’t stop you, you have to take it upon yourself to get a FMT and stamp in your passport. My bus didn’t stop so I didn’t get one. When we got to the sothern border, the bus driver went around making sure everyone got in line and had their FMT (tourist card), I did not so he told me to give him 260 pesos, what it costs to get one in the first place. He went in with my passport and the money and brought it back out to me. I was the first one done it was great. I looked online and the fine for losing the FMT is $45 so I lucked out. Our driver dropped us off with our luggage at the Guatemala border and we crossed and got stamped. There was another bus like thing there to pick us up. I was told it is only four hours from the border to Panajchel, but it took significantly longer, I don’t know why.
Once again the bus drivers in these countries must be crazy, otherwise they couldn’t do their job. I am certain that every one of them dreams of driving nascar with their bus everyday, it’s a wonder we all make it to where we are going. The road down to Panajchel is very interesting; the views are amazing as you tear down the mountain at near subsonic speeds. I am not sure how far it drops but it’s a few thousand feet from up top to the town down on the lake. I will be going back to Pana so I will talk about it later.

I walked down to the dock and caught the water taxi to Santa Cruz. The ride wasn’t to bad, I was one of the last ones on the boat so I was in the front and did get some spray but not to bad. This kid sat down next to me and fell asleep. Or so I thought. The pockets on the shorts I was wearing are magnetic and I thought I felt them click back together, so when I stood up to get off the boat I check my pockets. I WAS ROBBED!!! The little SOB had taken my passport out of my side pocket. As soon as I noticed that it was gone I dropped all my bags and grabbed him. He was like what??? I grabbed his bag and the lady across from him seen him drop something into the boat. I reached down and it was my passport all rolled up. There was this girl on the boat and she started yelling at this kid in Spanish and at the boat driver, they kicked him off the boat and he ran up the hill. All I can say is I am glad I felt it. The only time I carry my passport is at border crossings, so things like this cant happen. Oh well it all worked out in the end.

I walked up the hill about 100’ and there is the place I am staying, La Iguana Perdita. The place is packed; there is no room in the dorm tonight, so they gave me a private room. It was right at dinner time and I was still a bit riled from the passport thing, so I just headed for my room. It has been a long day and I am beat…