Cheezus bro. A report of Antigua, Guatemala would suffice, that nonrev story was very loooooooowwwwng. The point is you made it and that's good. Your co-workers neice? Was there a language barrier? Looks like you had no back up plan. Always have money, credit card or something in case plan A goes south. You wouldn't find yourself in that kinda situation, like being in a park at whee hours of the morning. The good note is, that if you got approached by those Mayans selling things in the park, you could always tell them the truth. "I have no money. Really. Honestly." But they would think you were full of it because, NO TOURIST IS EVER SIN DINERO!
I never trust any of that, someone will meet up with you and show you around business. Always plan on your own, don't depend on anyone. You can call them when you settle down and if they don't show up, you at least got your pad and situated. I guess I learned that kinda thing a long time ago when on vessels. I never relied on even my co-workers. In the end, it was all on you. You are lucky in that it is very inexpensive to stay there. I paid 15 bucks per night, and had my own bathroom, shower. Just no television, nothing very fancy but very cheap.