Tikal

The second last day in Guatemala – we took a trip to Tikal, an ancient Mayan city that existed from approximately 200 BC to 900 AD. It was quite a long journey to get there – we took a shuttle bus back to Guatemala City, hopped on a 1 hour flight to Flores and finally, another shuttle bus to Tikal (of course I slept through most of each leg). Archaeologists are still excavating Tikal and the amount of history here is fascinating.

We happened to arrive during the hottest month of the year at the hottest time of the day, which made for an interesting tour. We were so eager to complete the 4-hour tour and get out of the heat that we rushed the guide through the whole thing. We didn’t even give him a chance to get some rest, although we did offer him water multiple times. We got done the tour in 2.5 hours and the poor tour guide looked ready to collapse by the end of it! The abridged tour gave us a lot of free time, so we stayed cool by drinking Cerveza Gallo (Guatemalan beer) and enjoyed the sunset while we played dominos.

Equipé, brother at Lago de Atitlan

Once again we took an early shuttle bus, today to Lake Atitlan. The lake is surrounded by 3 volcanoes and is considered one of the most picturesque lakes in the world. The towns surrounding the lake are inhabited by Mayans who have maintained their culture on the most part. We visited San Juan and Santiago – the Mayans in this region are known for their arts & crafts and coffee production. We also got an inside peek into their daily lives, including their worship of Saint Maximon, who the Mayans offer alcohol and cigarettes to. Quite different from the offerings I’m used to as a Hindu!

But the most exciting moment of the day for me was the purchase of my Guatemala hat – I finally had the appropriate attire to be a part of “Equipé, brother.” “Equipé, brother” – a term popularized by a Brazilian Coca Cola commercial, literally means “Team, brother” but more importantly it represents the team before the individual and in the context of our lives, the team is a group of international travelers with unique eccentricities. Just the 3 of us in the group so far:

• “Wifi Freak” – has the uncontrollable urge to look for wifi signal anywhere – such as inside caves atop a volcano 
• “Photo Freak” – insists on turning any location into a photo opportunity – such as a random building or tree 
• “Sleeping Beauty” – yours truly, aptly named for falling asleep in all kinds of places – cars, buses, boats, planes and the dinner table! 

When not partaking in our passions, we can be recognized by our unique hats – the hat of the country in which we joined Equipé, brother – 2 Panama hats and a Guatemala hat.  Equipé, brother!

Volcan Pacaya

After an amazing breakfast, we walked around Antigua and prepared for our afternoon trip to Volcan Pacaya – an active volcano that last erupted only a year ago and covered much of the surrounding area with ash.  We took the shuttle bus from Antigua just as a storm system moved in.  Thunder and lightening and an insane amount of rain!  It was like the monsoon rains in India.  At one point it seemed like we wouldn’t be able to climb the volcano but fortunately the rains eased up as we began our ascend.  We got to experience some breathtaking views although there were no signs of molten lava, fire or sparks yet (well, apart from Paco the tour guide hitting on “Photo Freak” – I saved Paco’s number for you in case you want to call him up!).

As we hiked closer to the crater, the ground looked like a massive burnt brownie – remnants of last year’s eruption.  There were still some hot rocks too!  We finally arrived at a crevice in the ground.  We could see the molten lava underneath and it was a great spot to toast some marshmallows.  Nothing beats lava-toasted marshmallows!  We hiked back in the dark – fortunately, we bought flashlights earlier in the day and were able to make it back down safe and sound.

Guate

I was off to the airport once again (the 4^th of 8 flights I would take during this 8 day vacation). I got ridiculously early to the gate and patiently waited for my 2 friends. I had heard enough horror stories about armed crime in Guatemala City (see - Recent Crime Incidents Involving Foreigners) and literally had no arrangements for my 4 days there. If my friends didn’t show up, I would have to fend for myself (keeping in mind my limited and broken knowledge of SPANGLISH)! Needless to say I was more than a little nervous. While I waited, I contemplated my spontaneous decision to agree to go to Guatemala…

Just over a week ago, the Saturday night during the Lauder dinner at Wharton welcome weekend, two of my new classmates (known as “Photo Freak” and “Wifi Freak” from this point on) invited me to join them on a trip to Central America – specifically Panama, Cuba and Guatemala. They were leaving Monday morning (a little over 24 hours from when I heard about this trip) and I spontaneously agreed to it. The next day it hit me – if I went to Cuba then I might not be able to get back into the US (considering the US/Cuba relationship is not the greatest). So instead I decided to go to Panama on my own and later join my friends in Guatemala.

And now I wondered if I was a little too quick to agree to go to Guatemala with complete strangers! Back at the gate, I was one of the last people remaining as I waited and waited for my friends to show up. Finally, I had no choice but to board the plane. I was coming up with my contingency plan - get out of Guatemala City and head straight to Antigua. Antigua is considered a safe zone – a cozy and historic town with lots of tourists. Aright, I could do this... and then I looked up to see my friends waltz onto the plane. WHEW! I don’t think I’ve been happier to see people I barely knew.

Upon landing in Guate, “Wifi Freak” had arranged for a private car to pick us up and take us around the city. Equipé, brother – you know who you are, thanks!! (I’ll explain what “Equipé, brother “ means and how the names of “Wifi Freak” and “Photo Freak” came about later). In the evening we did go to Antigua, which would be our home base for the next 4 days. I was safe and sound in Guatemala.

On Vacation

Day 3 in Bocas was pretty uneventful. I stayed at the hotel reading a book on the hammocks for most of the day as a thunderstorm swept through the area. I took a flight back to Panama City in the evening and felt much more confident navigating the city even though I still didn’t know more than a few Spanish phrases. My proudest moment was negotiating a $20 taxi for the next day from Luna’s Castle to the International (Tocumen) airport. I later found out that most foreigners pay $25 so HA! I beat the system! Who says you need to speak the local language to negotiate? I spent the rest of the night drinking at the local watering hole next to the hostel. I met some other adventurers trekking through Central America and now I actually looked like I belonged – sporting a Central American suntan, a headful of messy dried-up hair and an unshaven mug. A true vacation!

Bocas Del Toro

I hopped onto a 1 hour flight to Bocas Del Toro – a collection of islands and a popular beach resort for Panamanians and foreigners alike. Upon landing, I was greeted by a local who told me that the “boss” at the hotel had sent him. I was immediately suspicious when he didn’t mention Stacey (the boss) by name. I walked with him into town but then told him I will find my own way. I flagged a taxi down and soon enough I arrived at the picturesque La Coralina. The hotel had the absolute friendliest staff and guess what… they all spoke English!!! Stacey put me in the honeymoon suite at the cost of a courtyard room and I’m quite positive it’s the finest hotel in all of Bocas. I borrowed a surfboard and headed straight to Bluff beach to catch some waves, but alas it wasn’t firing on this day (probably a good thing as this world class break could have been quite dangerous for a beginner surfer like me).

On my second day in Bocas I went searching for a more appropriate wave. A $2 water taxi brought me to Isla Carenero – a small paradise of an island that looked like it came out of one of the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies! I hiked around the mostly deserted island for a couple of hours and then met Luis at the “Bibi’s on the beach” restaurant. He got me set up with a board and took me (and some Dutch girls) on a boat ride to Wizard’s beach. I dropped in on my first wave and I was standing… I quickly tired myself out fighting through the breaking waves – the struggles of a beginner surfer! I ended the night at the Bibi’s happy hour with the Dutch girls, who also happened to be traveling around Central America without knowing any Spanish. I guess I wasn’t the only “newbie” around!!

My First Night in Central America

I got into Panama City at 11 PM last night and realized that I was going to be lost without Spanish. Luckily on the plane I met Ana, a Venezuelan 24 year old, who spoke amazing English and lives in Panama City. She suggested that the best way for me to get to the hostel was by taking a ‘Taxi Collectivo’ and she volunteered to help me out. I felt like one of those lost competitors on the Amazing Race that have to rely on a local to get them to the next pit stop. I had considered myself an experienced traveler but I wasn’t so sure now.

For $11 each, Ana, myself and 2 loud mouth New Yorkers shared a taxi into the city. I was the last to be dropped off – I arrived at Luna’s Castle. Not a backpacking / hostel kind of guy, I’m sure I looked out of place. The guy at reception told me I would be screwed without Spanish… Great!! Little does he know that I’m heading to Guatemala City after this – only the capital of armed robberies in Latin America! Feeling a little intimidated and not in the mood to mingle, I crashed in my assigned dorm bed.

I woke up this morning to a chorus of singing – perhaps it’s because of Semana Santa (holy week), but as I looked out of the window I saw a breathtaking skyline. I was excited to start my first day in Panama.

Spring Welcome Weekend

This weekend is Wharton's Spring Welcome Weekend. I just got back from my first event (Pub)... actually first pre-event since the official weekend activities haven't even started. The cool thing was there were about 10 other Lauder admits - my future classmates and family and they are all awesome! We all shared similar intros - "I was born in country X, but lived in country Y and then I decided to go to country Z and now I'm learning language ABC."

The next 2.5 days are going to be a whirlwind of activity. Here's a rough idea of what I'll be up to:

Friday

- Lauder breakfast

- Wharton Intros, Philosophies, etc...

- Meet with Faculty

- Entrepreneurship Session

- Technology Session

- Media and Entertainment Session

- Pub (again)

- Group Dinners

- Around the World "Costume" Party

Saturday

- Breakfast

- Financial Aid Session

- Leadership Session

- Wharton Follies

- Drinks with the India Club and Canada Club at the same time

- Lauder Dinner

- Evening Soiree (i.e. more drinking)

Sunday

- Brunch with either the Consulting or Entrepreneurship Clubs

Whew! It'll be busy but I wouldn't want it any other way!

Re-Branding Myself

I've hit the reset button on life. I'm leaving my job this week and I'm going back to school to exchange my life savings (and then some) for 3 letters 5 letters - MBA/MA. That's right! An MBA/MA joint degree. I'm super excited about the MA part of it - I'm one of the first students going through the Hindi track at Wharton/Lauder... EVER! Now only if my trusty Hindi can carry me through it...

Okay, so enough jibber jabber about degrees. I'm re-invigorating this blog because I have a few friends that are genuinely interested in what my life will be like at b-school. And perhaps along the way I'll pick up a few more readers but this one is really for all of my friends! So thanks to everyone for encouraging me throughout my undergrad, my career, the MBA application process and well, just being there for me! I'm going to try to stick to interesting stories (travels, adventures, business, technology and other random silliness) but we'll see what happens when things get going. And no guarantees on how often I'll post! I hear b-school doesn't offer up a whole lot of free time so I'll try to make the best of it. If you haven't already caught up with me I can be found on twitter (@RoopakMaj), Facebook and LinkedIn.

Upcoming Milestones:
Apr 8 - Last Day of Work
May 9 - Classes Start