Travel Gossip

For those who like armchair travels full of stories about people and the humorous (and even ridiculous) moments we all encounter along those unfamiliar, less familiar ways, for you – from me - there is ‘Travel Gossip.’

It was early 1996 and my father, who had just been diagnosed with cancer, was insisting I carry out a long-laid plan to go to Central America. ‘Take notes … and lots of pictures,’ was his instruction. And since my ticket was paid for and dad was pretty much the definition of a half-past-crotchety type, I packed my bags and headed south, journaling my way through Cozumel, Cancun and Tulum (places full of characters galore) and from there to-and-through Guatemala’s capital to the upland jungle of ancient Tikal, Queen of the Mayan cities.

It was a trip filled with tales of local customs, grand monuments, travel nightmares, political nonsense, wonderful everyday people, the occasional dancing bar girl and much about the Maya, their calendar, and life. And because it got typed up the moment I got home so my father would be able to read one last book of mine and travel with me before he passed away, now you can too. (I’ve even included all the pictures!)