After 4 weeks of study in Xela, mi padre and I met up for a mini ¨vacation¨ in Antigua and Lago Atitlan, two of the most beautiful places in Guatemala. We are already planning the next trip to Guatemala so the whole family can experience the wonders and the wonderful people we have gotten to know in this country. Here are some of the highlights from our trip!!
 |
| The Chichicastenango market - one of our first stops in our week-long vacation - is the largest outdoor market in all of Guatemala. While the hubbub and hassling in the market were a bit overwhelming, we walked away with our arms full of beautiful gifts to bring home for our loved ones! |
 |
| We walked through the market with a local guide named Carlos who brought us through this completely tourist-free section of fruit and veggie vendors! |
 |
| Years ago a giant volcano erupted and created the crater that now is Lago Atitlan. This is a view off the dock of Villa Sumaya, a tranquil yoga retreat center where my pa and I arranged to stay. |
 |
| We went on a tour of three of the small villages that surround Lago Atitlan with a fellow named Lee (pictured above). While I´m usually not one for tours, Lee was an incredible guide - full of local knowledge from his years of community involvement on the lake ¨post-retirement¨. Walking with him was like walking with the mayor as he is quite well known throughout the Lago Atitlan communities. |
 |
| One of my favorite photos my Pa snapped throughout our time at the Lake! On our tour with Lee, we stopped for a dip in the lake and an optional high-dive at the same time as a lively group of boys from the village we were visiting. Above, the eldest among them, probably about 12 years old, takes the brave plunge. |
 |
| We visited a cooperative of women weavers on our tour with Lee- they do everything from spinning and dying the thread to weaving the final product. Some of the most complex items can take up to two years to complete! Above, Miriam, a member of the cooperative, teaches me some weaving basics. |
 |
| One of our last stops on our tour with Lee was a peak into a ceremony dedicated to a Mayan spirit called Mashimon (sp?), who one seeks out regarding requests for ¨things they would not mention in church.¨ Offerings to the wooden model of Mashimon include cigarettes and rum and a single ceremony can take up to four hours. |
 |
After Lago Atitlan, we made our way to Antigua where we spent the rest of our time relaxing, eating waaay too much good food and going on a couple interesting tours to explore the history of the city and its surround area. Here is a picture of the view from our hotel. Antigua is surrounded by three volcanos, one of which is still active and sends up intermittent puffs of smoke.While there are more photos and more stories to share, I am going to end things here for now. It was a beautiful week and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with me padre. Thank you for reading and love to all!!! |
