![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHw3O1kXGq8qiJShzn8Mw1JEaZOGqF3FIuf6lJPD7I_12t3XIG0T-w2oiUUjvHMEDmmrIOvoyq8UJ3j9ALGvfBLAd8YAY7pzTyx892XHt8kd1Yb915oOC-f1NWSVEL6iX7S6QHmREAaA7/s320/IMG_0106.JPG)
Our first week here in Guatemala can only be described with one word:
amazing. As time goes on, we've grown more accustomed to life here in
Sololá and the surrounding area. We've
traveled to the neighboring villages to help out with classes and
lesson planning, played pick-up games of soccer with the students in
Basico, socialized with other residents in Pana, negotiated in the
market for fruits, veggies, and souvenirs, and hopefully
improved our Spanish along the way. Some of us, including myself,
have even been taking some Spanish lessons from native speakers in
Pana. I definitely appreciate the help!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-Xoq0rOSDzk9PYyv1gbZjJNyqzFmgLu46kXb3WeRq9wymhwAJSbT_qQeZM0P-inZn_K6L5Wme39StbeuL4irELycwhXXdqMjpt2ZMGVnS5e0DDtZM2Y42CWtYBpLIFdcwXd6LEimPvPN/s320/IMG_0114.JPG)
This weekend we traveled as a group to Xela and had the incredible
opportunity to hike Tajumulco, the highest peak in all of Central
America! Without knowing exactly what was in store for us in this 2-day
hike, Christina, Michelle, and I signed up, as
well as the PDs and some of their friends. So, starting at 4am this
past Saturday, we traveled to the base of the volcano and started to
make our way up the 17,000 feet with 45 pound packs on our back and lots
of nervous energy to go around. Our four awesome
guides from Quetzaltrekkers encouraged us all along the way, with David
Green sprinting in front, and myself inching my way along in the back.
Regardless, we all made it up to base camp to enjoy a very cold night
in tents with food and good company. Although
it was too cloudy to see sunrise the next day, we finished the last
hour of ascent to Tajumulco's peak early the next morning, took plenty
of incredible pictures, and then returned to camp to pack and start to
make our way back down the volcano. I think I
can speak for everyone that we all feel very accomplished to have
conquered Tajumulco! And although I returned to Xela with two very sore
legs and a sprained ankle, I also returned with having met some
incredible people.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatFCbsoigynqsXroAyJhlQPaYkIdWsbMAzlHpl8HPZ6cL0n59Z6Eac87F-iK0MIJVr_3YZ3hG_n4e0Pm7UACMJDOsCAaQ47a15D7qz3dpot824B32ZkuCd0vODuUx5GIWRA5mzW1Yx0pD/s320/476777_10100853426967437_12615327_53430602_101924605_o.jpg)
And that goes for everyone on this trip. We've recently discovered
Karianne's amazing talent for music and insisted that she sing us to
sleep every night. I'm so blessed to share this experience with the
five other interns and our PDs, who are all so
much fun and add so much to the group. We've all decided that Dana is
an awesome leader and we're so lucky to have her kindness lead the way!
Needless to say, it has been an AMAZING week. I can't wait to see what Guatemala has in store for us next!
Grace
No comments:
Post a Comment