Vamos a divertirnos

While my first priority here certainly has been my work in a community clinic (with improving my Spanish conversational skills a close second), playful adventures have also been a must.  My Spanish Immersion school I.C.A. did an incredible job of planning daily activities Monday through Saturday.   Unfortunately, I was stubbornly anti-social during my 2 weeks of classes, after which I set aside my snobbery and went on the Saturday hike to Volcan Santa Maria.  

Volcan Santa Maria in the hazy distance

The summit, where Evangelists are holding a service

Praying for the Deceased

Volcan Santa Maria hovers peacefully over Xela (unlike it's volatile offspring nearby Volcan Santiaguito which erupts every 30 minutes or so).  After resuming a yoga practice upon arrival here and consequently overestimating my physical ability and endurance (Note to self: 12 sessions of yoga in 2 weeks after a several month sabbatical from exercise does not = being back in shape), I ignorantly committed to the climb.  Honestly the climb for me was a painful struggle of leg cramps and wheezing, as older women in flip flops carrying babies and anything else they could carry to make me look bad whizzed by.  Needless to say, the hike was well worth the following 2 days of debilitation.

Curious about the Gringos

Mensajes en las piedras

Hermosa sonrisa

Our descent through crops at the base of the volcano; in the distance a woman and child carrying firewood on their heads

Mateo arrived the first week of February.  The RSB graciously gave him permission to work in Guatemala for the month.  Lucky for me.  On weekdays, we were both managing busy schedules, but found ourselves on mini adventures on the weekends.  Through climbing blogs, Mateo discovered a local climbing spot just a short hike outside of Xela.  We opted to do some reconnaissance at Volcan Cerro Quemado.

Hike with Mateo to Volcan Cerro Quemado

Searching for rockclimbing spots

The base of the rock

The challenge

Along the hike to Volcan Cerro Quemado, is a side road which takes you to Los Vahos, thermal steam rooms fed by the vapors of this volcano.  The hike offers an incredible view of Xela and weaves past beautifully cultivated land.  Then at trail's end is your reward -- being enveloped by eucalyptus-infused steam.  Aaah!

A relaxation and changing room ajoins the steam room

Red in the face from 45 min of volcanic steam

No visit to Guatemala is complete without a visit to the popular and picturesque lake, Lago Atitlan.  For a pre-Dia de San Valentin weekend, Mateo and I made our way by chickenbus to Jaibalito, where we stayed at the luxurious hotel, Casa del Mundo.  The hotel is carved into a steep cliff, with accommodations on varying levels.  Making your way around the hotel grounds is better than any stair stepper.  We enjoyed an afternoon of napping in the sun and an evening of family style dining and cocktails with the other guests; then topped the night off in an outdoor wood-stove heated hot tub overlooking the lake.  Total relaxation!

Breakfast at Lago Atitlan

Panajachel's lake-side view

Catching a lancha to the town of Jaibalito

Casa del Mundo patio.  After arriving Matt dove off the higher ledge for a quick dip in the lake, which by the way was freezing.

My nap in the sun

Casa del Mundo's private dock

View of Volcan San Pedro from outside our room

Beautiful woodwork

View of Volcan Toliman and Volcan Atitlan

Hotel office and private room

On Sunday, I ventured off to the famously congested Chichicastenango market where I snapped some photos with my film camera (which is why they are not shown here), while Mateo joined a group of Guatemalan rockclimbers for a day of climbing in the nearby New-Age town of San Marcos.  After one more night at the lake in San Pedro la Laguna, we were hardly satisfied to return to urban living, but were summoned back to our work obligations -- Matt to Guatemala City for a couple days of meetings and me back to Xela for the week of Papanicolaous.

Mateo's view from the rockface during his climb