Day 1 - The flight to Cancun

	I volunteered to be bumped by Alaska Air returning from a visit with Sister's Family. In return they gave me a hotel room, breakfast at the hotel, first class air passage the next morning, and a ticket to anywhere they flew. I've wanted to see Tikal since I last went to Central America in 1985 and wasn't able to make it. Because Alaska now flys to Cancun, this would be the TIME!
My friend Rose convinced me that Ray Jardine's philosophy of lightweight packing was the way to go so with some help from GoLite and Onestep I managed to get my gear including full camping equipment down to 17 pounds. Not true lightweight, but admirable for my first attempt. I didn’t have to check any luggage going or returning. It was very easy to get around with all my gear. And the only delay was that the Portland security people had to debate whether or not they would let my tent stakes through security (They decided they would after a five minute conference).
		I arrived in Cancun at 10:41 PM and the guidebooks were correct in that there was an ATM machine in the departure area of the airport and a $4.00 bus (in pesos) a block away from the airport to get into town. I was able to find the hotel I reserved a couple nights before on the web, wash the clothes I was wearing in the bathroom sink and got to bed at 1:00 AM.