a weekend at the lake

where we went: Lake Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) is a large endorheic lake (one that does not flow to the sea) in the Guatemalan Highlands. While Atitlan is recognized to be the deepest lake in Central America, its bottom has not been completely sounded. Estimates of its maximum depth range up to 340 meters. The lake is shaped by deep escarpments which surround it and by three volcanos on its southern flank. The lake is volcanic in origin, filling an enormous caldera formed in an eruption 84,000 years ago.

What a weekend!

We left Guatemala city bright and early on Saturday morning, got directions on how to get there and everything. We stopped for a chocolate bar and went on our way. I fell asleep (surprise surprise) and when I woke up we were pulling into a gas station because the the person we asked about directions told us we were 3 hours away and going the wrong way. So typical of us! OY! Luckily we were only about an hour out of the way and we made it to the lake in time for a late lunch. We then found a guy with a boat to bring us to our hostel across in a little city Santa Cruz!

The hostel was amazing! it was kind of like camp styles! cabins and little trails with a restaurant and bar in a main area that also had a lounging area that overlooked the lake and the beautiful view! We hung out in hammocks and I took a nap (once again, are we that surprised?) then around 6 we went to the main area for happy hour followed by dinner. The food was AMAZING! It was a buffet with either grilled chicken or an amazing, kick ass (really , there is no other way to describe it) veggie burger. It was delicious, they would not tell us their secret recipe, but something about beetroot and lentils and yumminess! and then about 8 salads! All delicious! After that there was some hanging out, played some cards. Apparently its tradition that on Saturday nights people dress up after dinner...and when I say dress up, I mean cross dress! So all the men were in dresses from the dress up room. It was quite a site on the dance floor!--which is really just the dining hall!

Sunday morning I went for a quick swim! It was a tad chilly but soo beautiful! After my swim I had breakfast and then Makenzie and I wen exploring a little bit.

Found a tree and swung from it. All in a days work! Did some more reading and hanging out watching the beauty. At 1030 our little boat guy came back for us and we went back to Panahajel, where the car was. We walked the streets of Pana for a couple of hours, buying random things at the markets there. I showed much more restraint than my friends but still got some cute things- some jade earrings, a painting and some Christmas gifts...shhh, sorry can't say what they are!

We were going to go Zip Lining in the nature reserve but it started to rain so we decided that it would be an adventure for next time, since we know we will be back...probably pretty soon!!!

On the side of the road out of the city we stopped to look at this awesome waterfall!

Beautiful! This was a weekend filled with beauty. We stopped for a very late lunch around 4 and as we waited for our food we just all realized what a beautiful world we live in and how truly blessed we are to be living such an adventure!!!! Wonderfully blessed!

I have some school work to get to, so I will end this here.

love xox

5 +24+2= a weekend in Monterrico

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! In order to make the holiday weekend a holiday...we went to the beach! I know that we were supposed to go to Lake Atitlan, but that has been postponed one week due to the fact that it is cold there and we wanted heat this weekend.

So we left Saturday morning at around 9 am. We were in about downtown when someone asked Makenzie (the driver, she's from Kingston, ON) if she knew how to get there. The silence than ensued was quickly followed by 5 girls laughing hysterically. WE all kind of know where we are going...but not at all. SO we start driving in the right direction and recognize the area..but do we recognize it from trips to the beach or from trips to Antigua.... definitely from trips to Antigua. So an hour later we are in Antigua. This is not too bad since we know for a fact that there is a way from Antigua to Monterrico since the shuttle goes that way... anyway, we bought a map..and got lost about 10 more times but made it!

We spent the rest of the day on the beach. Hannah and I went into the water..the waves were insane! I had sand EVERYWHERE! My bathing suit was just full or sand and my hair is STILL full of sand! From there we walked back to our hotel and swam in the beautiful pool! Hannah and Aubrey went on a walk on the beach to see the turtles lay eggs. Unfortunately they didn't see any. We went back to this hotel bar called: Johnny's PLace. The man who owns it is originally from Quebec City...and he proudly waves the Quebec flag with the Guatemala one!

We hung out there and then I headed back to our hotel and went to sleep.

Today we just lounged all morning around the pool- after eating a great Tipico... a typical breakfast or eggs, plantains and beans.

Around 2 we left and were ready for an adventure...but luckily we sailed into Guatemala city around 4. Much better time! Who knew you could take one highway the whole way? haha Not us!!!!

All in all a great Thanksgiving weekend. Tomorrow is not a holiday in Guate, but my kids are signing a Raffi song at the assembly in honour of Canadian Thanksgiving - Thanks A Lot! Its super cute and they are super excited about it! I will definitely be taking some pictures of that!

I hope you have al had a wonderful weekend!

As it is time for thanks this weekend, I will add that I am thankful for all of the well wishes, thoughts and prayers I receive while on my adventure as well as for the rock solid support group at home and here that make it all possible! Je vous aime!

oxoxoxo

chaos, children's day and church,

So first of all, sorry for the quiet last few weeks. THings have been falling into place here and simply becoming routine.

My chatty little kids and I are coming to a truths... they give me quiet DEAR time and quiet work period, I let them talk at lunch and snack- though once someone yells it is all over. Or like yesterday, once someone throws food, it is all over. Honestly they are wining this battle, but partly because I care a little less. I have come to terms that quiet is not part of their lives. I will make do with teaching them respect. That should help.

On Friday it was Children's day. Which seems crazy to me here because every day is children's day. These kids have never heard the word NO! ANyway, there was a show for them and they got popcorn and Tampico (Sunny D type crap). The cafetorium was a MESS! There was popcorn, juice containers and juice everywhere! One kid spilled his juice so I went to get him paper towels and he asked me what they were for!!!!! WAH!!! Watching him try to clean was entertaining..he didn't know how. oh boy!

On Sunday I went to church with my roommate. It was an evangelical church... and they made me stand up and tell everyone my name and then about 40 peoeple came by to hug and kiss me...really? Sunday morning. The service was all about being fisher of men and how we have to think like the sinners in order to catch them... not exactly my theological cup of tea... but the pastor was entertaining and I was impressed with my spanish. After church we went to lunch with some 'Jovenes' young ppl... that was nice and all in Spanish. It was exhausting, but good. I got to speak lots.

We took a picture of the church so that I could post it, but it is on Lindsey's camera, so instead I found one online...its a drawing of it, but gives you an idea.

This weekend we are heading to Lake Atitlan...considered the most beautiful lake on earth, so I look forward to that!

WIll post more after that!

hope all is well in Canada!

oxox

ps: the rain has taken a hiatus...hasn't rained in 3 days! It is chilly in the mornings and beautiful in the afternoon.