Journey to the Pyramid of the Goddess

By D. R. St. John

Russ is a young man whose mother is dying. In the midst of his grief, he experiences a vision encouraging him to visit a mysterious pyramid in the jungles of Guatemala. Along the way, he begins to realize he has been tasked with making a difference for all of mankind.

In Journey to the Pyramid of the Goddess, meet Russ, Taupe, and Isabelle. Visit the San Francisco Bay Area, Mexico City, and the ruins of Tikal, Guatemala. Travel through time from 1974 all the way to 2051.

In time, Russ relates to his doctor the story of his life-changing journey to Tikal. His experiences of love and sacrifice pass on a heavy responsibility as he recounts both adventure and pain in this journey toward a better future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Dec 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665732369

D. R. St. John

D.R. St. John IV is an artist, poet, Viet Nam U.S. Navy veteran, and world traveler. He is author of A Dreamwalker’s Journey and Cats Are Merely Dragons That Simply Choose to Hide. Journey to the Pyramid of the Goddess is based on his own life experiences. His passions include wisdom, knowledge, and fantasy. He is also an artist in several mediums. He believes that emotions are most effectively influenced by love.

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Copyright © 2022 D. R. St. John.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue

in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

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this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6657-3237-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-3235-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-3236-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022919970

Archway Publishing rev. date: 12/08/2022

CONTENTS

Preface

Author’s Note

Chapter 1     The Story

Chapter 2     Let Me Think. Oh! I Remember What Started This!

Chapter 3     I Guess Anyone’s Mother’s Death Could Inspire Action!

Chapter 4     Then I Met Nancy. Hmm! Nancy!

Chapter 5    That Crazy Van. We Called It the Green Frog. What a Piece of Work! Maybe It Was Meant to Be That Way. It Brought Experience Being the Way It Was.

Chapter 6     What Is a Collection of Precious Jewels on Black Velvet at Night, and Ugly in the Daylight? Las Vegas!

Chapter 7     From Sin City to Mexico

Chapter 8     Road to Palenque

Chapter 9     The Border of Guatemala

Chapter 10   Guatemala to Belize

Chapter 11   That Little Country Was a Breath of Quay-Fresh Air.

Chapter 12   The Night We Arrived

Chapter 13   My Whole World Changed That Day. I Stumbled against That Dirt Wall, and Bam—That’s When It All Started.

Chapter 14   I Had No Idea What Was Ahead of Me.

Chapter 15   God, What a Long Way Home! The Miles Weren’t the Distance. The Emotions Were the Miles!

Chapter 16   I Tell You, Weddings and Funerals Are the Best Places to Find a Temporary Lover. Even if You Don’t Want One!

Chapter 17   Tequila Is the Fuse to Passion’s Time Bomb!

Chapter 18   I Will Never Forget What It Was Like to Follow a Coyote across the Rio Grande.

Chapter 19   I Never Appreciated Immigrants as Much as I Did After the Next Week!

Chapter 20   From Texas to San Francisco

Chapter 21   From Texas to San Francisco

Chapter 22   Our Goodbyes Were Bittersweet. I Was in a Strange Situation. I Loved Isabelle but Was Also in Love with Tapew. One Was Going off to Get Married, and the Other Was a Ghost in a Fish Tank!

Chapter 23   There Was No Love in My Heart. Just Revenge. Sometimes You Have to Stomp Out Cockroaches!

Chapter 24   They Found Her.

Chapter 25   She Came Back!

Chapter 26   My Very Concept of the World and How Vast the Universe Is Blew up in My Face That Morning

Chapter 27   Tapew’s Journey

Chapter 28   Transfer of Power

There was a woman in my life who would tell me that I could do just about anything I wanted. She would say, Son, experience life and grow!

You’re right: it was my mother. When everyone told me I couldn’t, she would tell me, If you believe that, you’re right!

I love you, Mom. I did it! Thank you for the seed of courage you lovingly planted in me.

There were so many others I could dedicate this to, and I do not have enough paper.

So. In a dark corner of my favorite pub, I sit. I edited this story. A beautiful barkeep named Paris encouraged me. Another brilliant angel named Heidi also pushed me on. The Jury Room might not be a likely inspiring place to write, but it is Santa Cruz, and I have two muses to hold my hand.

Thank you, all y’all.

PREFACE

Long ago, my mother died after a long, horrible illness. I was inspired by a movie to go on a journey to recover from the loss of my best friend. I wrote down my experiences in a journal. Later, when I got home, I started to write a story about my experiences. As I wrote, I let my mind lace what the events made me think and dream about. I added some philosophy I was exposed to and felt strongly about.

This journey changed my life so much that the outcome made me who I am now. Let go and allow your mind to travel, and you might have fun. I did.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

This humble attempt to portray one of the most powerful few months of my life is part absolute truth and part fictitious. The fiction was based on my journey and the experiences along the way, the emotions that come with losing a mother, my travels throughout life, and my philosophies. I was a navy brat, so adapting to life’s challenging situations was a way of life. My very strong mother told me, Just do it, and live and learn! It truly did change my life. I hope that this book gives you a little pleasure.

I want to dedicate this story to the loving memory of my mother. She always encouraged me to explore the possibilities of the unknown. Anything is possible as long as you see life as an adventure!

I also dedicate it my son and to my grandson, who gave me a reason to live again.

CHAPTER 1

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THE STORY

2051

When the doctor opened the door, he caught me staring out at the sunset. He was caring for me. I was dressed in all white with a gold amulet hanging from my wrinkled neck. He approached me and addressed me in a dignified fashion.

Mr. McLeod, he said softly. How are you doing this evening?

Well, Doctor, I believe it is about time. Please sit down, I said in a strong whisper.

What do you mean? the young doctor asked.

It is time for me to go see my love, the princess. First, I need you to finish your rounds and come back with a good bottle of tequila. You will also need a recorder unit. I must pass on a very important story. Now, go, and come back soon!

I was over two hundred years old and the oldest living human who had ever been recorded. I was also the wealthiest. When I spoke, I expected people to listen. I had put the doctor through medical school. As a result, I, expected him to be at my beck and call. I did this so he could be free when I needed him. I had another reason as well.

Mr. McLeod, I’m all yours, the doctor stated when he returned.

What I am about to pass on to you will call for friendship, so call me Russ, I said. Now, I want you to know the story. This transpired over 120 years ago, so I am faced with passing on this legend to you.

It took all night and the better part of the next day for me to tell my story. The young doctor was frozen in his seat. I had no reason to make this up. It explained everything that had been happening in the past 160 years. Medicine, politics, education—everything had changed so drastically in those years.

CHAPTER 2

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"LET ME THINK. OH!

I REMEMBER WHAT

STARTED THIS!"

1974

In a dimly lit hospital room, I was sound asleep in a less-than-comfortable chair. The only sound was the constant thumping of the breathing apparatus connected to a frail but classy older woman. Her slight movement set off a beeping alarm. I was dressed in a navy uniform because I had just been let out of the service.

I opened my eyes in response to the sudden sound and stared attentively at the figure in the bed next to me. My eyes must have portrayed sorrow and love as a tear made its way down my beleaguered face.

The nurse whispered, She’s still half asleep, Russ. Let me take over. Go home, shower, and sleep for an hour or two.

I stumbled to my feet and told her, I’ll go, but let me know the minute anything happens, OK?

The tough nurse blurted, All right, all right. Now, go have a drink and unwind. That’s an order!

Yes, sir—I mean ma’am. I’m out of here.

I bent over, gently kissed my mother on the head, and whispered, Hang in there, Mom. I’ll be back soon, and I love you. My eyes were wet with tears. I looked at my dad and put my hand on his shoulder. Pop, let’s go home and clean up. She’s in good hands. Anyone could see that, without a word, I was communicating my feelings, which were reciprocated in kind.

I wandered aimlessly down the main street of this little town, in the pouring rain, with the thought that soon my world would be shattered once again. Two years ago, my other best friend, my grandmother, had died. I had been raised by the two women in my life because my father had been at sea most of the time. When my father came home, he taught me the ways of men. I was to be strong and not show emotions. The balance was effective, but when one leg is cut from you, walking is much harder. I learned to be a gentle soul with a tough facade.

I bumped into someone waiting in a line for a theater and was brought back to here and now.

Hey, I’m sorry. My mind was somewhere else, I said to the guy.

That’s OK, he said. You here to see this show?

Oh, um, what show would that be?

"Dude. Only the coolest sci-fi ever. Star Wars?"

Well, sure, why not. Maybe I can be distracted.

The guy I ran into looked deep into my eyes and asked what was bugging me.

Oh, is it that obvious?

Uh, yeah!

I told him a lot. The long years of watching my mother fall apart had taken its toll. I told him every detail down to the last few minutes before I got here.

Hmm. I’ve got just the thing to add to this movie experience and calm you down. The tie-dyed young man handed me a hand-rolled thing that looked like a cigarette.

No, no, no. I don’t smoke!

It’s not a cigs. It’s, uh … it’s a natural herb used by people to calm down.

Well, is it legal?

Some places. Is war legal? Look, it won’t hurt you, it’ll make the show better, and God knows you need to let down. I’ll be right here by you.

I took a couple puffs and almost coughed up my lungs. This stuff is good for me?

The tie-dye guy laughed and took my hand. "We’re going