Hopefully someone other than myself got that literary reference (insert nerd emoji). #GabrielGarciaMarquez (yes I know it’s set in Peru but close enough!)

Hello all! I’m back in the saddle (after what seems like an eternity of being quarantined, stuck in one place, and generally unavailable to explore the world). Thankfully, the travel gods are smiling down on me, because I’m on my way to explore Guatemala and Mexico for a while! Join me as I describe what can only be sure to be an adventure of epic proportions.

Currently waiting to go thru US customs @ Pearson. Was originally told it would open at 4:30 but have since been updated it will now open at 5, earliest. Have been put in a line to wait for the security line (our flight is boarding at 5:25 am—we arrived at the airport at 3 am) so just a heads up - if you have a short connection of any kind (like we do) chances are you won’t make it even if you leave 4.5 hours ahead of your flight time. Not enough staff and no sense of urgency whatsoever.

*******^******

Update: we made it with about 10 mins to spare ONLY because they literally kicked everyone else who WASN’T boarding a flight to either Miami, NY, Charlotte & 1 ATL(?) OUT of the aforementioned line… (sucks to be you if you showed up early today to try and beat the rush I guess?)

So today so far went like this: Had a quick layover connection in MIA and have made it to Guatemala City where we are waiting to catch our final flight to Flores, where we’re staying in the jungle tonight and waking up amongst the ruins of Tikal tomorrow (per some of your suggestions on a previous post, staying @ the Jungle Hotel).

Thankful our luggage made that connection!

For those interested you can follow the trip at Backpackkat on Facebook or IG.

FYI: got this question a lot when I originally posted this on Facebook while in the airport: “Did you still have to show negative COVID test? Or is just double vax certificate fine?” The answer is BOTH. AND they don’t accept the QR code vaxx certification either. Have to show both files or a printout of each one.

“Also, doesn’t the QR code vaxx certificate show both doses along with the dates they were administered? Why wouldn’t this be accepted? This is what is given to you when you go to www.Covid-19.Ontario.ca…”

A: You would think but American Air didn’t accept it today, just telling you our experience.

Travel Update: Leaving MIA > GUA leg of our trip today the flight attendants were absolutely SENDING ME by asking ANYONE on the plane who had bags with wheels (yes the entire plane) to mandatorily check them or else they couldn’t get on the plane (like literally what are all the parents supposed to do, just thinking out loud? Checking to final destination is she for real?!) Sending prayers for the solo dad traveling with 2 kids who had BOTH a wheelie bag AND a stroller who was check both…poor guy never stood a chance.

Luckily we weren’t in that boat but it culled over half the flight (& still claimed they had a full flight somehow)

So be meticulous, be prepared, & travel safe everybody!