Report: American hacked to death in Guatemala

[Heracles 417]

Report: American hacked to death in Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Robbers armed with machetes hacked a U.S. tourist to death and seriously wounded his wife in an attack aboard the couple's sailboat in northeastern Guatemala, the woman told The Associated Press on Sunday.

In a telephone interview from her hospital bed, Nancy Dryden, 67, said her husband, Daniel Perry Dryden, 66, was killed by four men who boarded their boat late Saturday while it was anchored in Lake Izabal.

"They poked us and stabbed us with the machetes, and they were asking for money, specifically dollars," said Dryden, who was listed in stable condition at a hospital in the lakeside town of Morales.

The thieves were apparently unhappy with the take. "We had a few quetzales (Guatemala's currency), but we had no dollars with us on the boat," Dryden recounted.

The Drydens, who are retired and live near Anchorage, had bought the boat in February. They were equipping the vessel in preparation for a voyage into the Caribbean and eventually to the eastern coast of the United States.

Dryden said the four assailants may have reached the boat by swimming from shore and brandished long machetes that "seemed liked curved swords."

After assaulting the couple, the men demanded she hand over the keys to the vessel, which has an auxiliary motor. When she didn't — she was unable to tell whether they wanted the keys to the boat, or a small dinghy the couple used to get to shore — the men left, also apparently by swimming.

Dryden struggled over to the boat's radio and sent out a distress call. "I said we need help ... I said my husband was not moving," Dryden recalled.

She said she expects her children to arrive in Guatemala Monday and plans to be transferred to the United States for medical care.

Assistant Police Commissioner Luis Say said the attack is being investigated.

Located near Guatemala's Caribbean coast, Lake Izabal is popular among tourists for its jungle scenery and wildlife.

In March, protesting farmers briefly kidnapped four Belgian tourists at Lake Izabal to press for the release of a jailed activist. They were released unharmed.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-08...la_N.htm?csp=34

[Yiyi and Chris 0]

After El Salvador, Guatemala is the most danderous coubtry in Central America

[jundp 191]

Wow. So much craziness.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I am proud to say that I lead free tours of Baja California, and a majority of those that attend these tours are in their 50s through late 60s, sometimes 70s. I hate to think that when I reach this age, how vulnerable to attack I will be. Safety in numbers is my motto.

CJ from Arizona wanted to visit Mexico, was a little apprehensive, but because of the large group I had assembled, brought his 40-something yr. old son along, and had himself a great time. Its great seeing guys out at this age, and not stuck in front of a television somewhere.

[Niels Bohr 72]

This is a lesson for tourist.

When traveling to another land other the US, adapt and wear attire that are close to the locals. The second time I went to Cambodia, I bought the local (very cheap) clothing and wear them. Ever since, nobody every bother begging me for money.

Edited August 11, 2008 by consolemaster

[Ken y Leidys 20]

This is a lesson for tourist.

When traveling to another land other the US, adapt and wear attire that are close to the locals.

In my new gfs barrio, I hear its common to have groups of young men hold others up at knife-point, demanding their shoes, shirts, jeans, etc. if they are nice, and look new. Definitely heed this advice. Keep your camera tucked away. Don't pull out your cell phone unless its necessary. Watch yo back!

[Yiyi and Chris 0]

true, true, true...

Crazy world!!!

[Ban Hammer 13,109]

Safety in numbers is my motto.

safety starts with .4 is my motto.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This would have never happened to them in Australia.

[Ban Hammer 13,109]

This would have never happened to them in Australia.

probably because they'd be too busy dodging jackjumpers, a majority of the top ten poisonous snakes and spiders, cane toads and kangaroos

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This would have never happened to them in Australia.

probably because they'd be too busy dodging jackjumpers, a majority of the top ten poisonous snakes and spiders, cane toads and kangaroos

..don't forget the man-eating crocs.

[Sinergy 3]

Happened in China on the olympics opening day.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

This is a lesson for tourist.

When traveling to another land other the US, adapt and wear attire that are close to the locals. The second time I went to Cambodia, I bought the local (very cheap) clothing and wear them. Ever since, nobody every bother begging me for money.

This is true in India, too. Of course if you look foreign then wearing cheap Indian clothes won't fool anyone, but if you're of Indian ancestry it helps a lot. You get badgered a lot less and attract a lot less "attention".

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This is a lesson for tourist.

When traveling to another land other the US, adapt and wear attire that are close to the locals. The second time I went to Cambodia, I bought the local (very cheap) clothing and wear them. Ever since, nobody every bother begging me for money.

This is true in India, too. Of course if you look foreign then wearing cheap Indian clothes won't fool anyone, but if you're of Indian ancestry it helps a lot. You get badgered a lot less and attract a lot less "attention".

[HAL 9000 96]

This is a lesson for tourist.

When traveling to another land other the US, adapt and wear attire that are close to the locals.

In my new gfs barrio, I hear its common to have groups of young men hold others up at knife-point, demanding their shoes, shirts, jeans, etc. if they are nice, and look new. Definitely heed this advice. Keep your camera tucked away. Don't pull out your cell phone unless its necessary. Watch yo back!

True. That's called not giving 'papaya' more than is necessary.

Otherwise you may find yourself literally naked on the streets. Barranquilla maybe not so much of a problem but cooler Bogotá will definitely not be that fun.

This would have never happened to them in Australia.

probably because they'd be too busy dodging jackjumpers, a majority of the top ten poisonous snakes and spiders, cane toads and kangaroos

Don't forget box jellies and great whites out in the water.