Destination: Guatemala

Dreaming Awake

Sun, 17 May 2009 | By enrique_nunez_mussa | Views [1049]

I get up and try the electrical shower without accidents. Someone knocks my door, it is another intern of the organization. I go out with my bags. A group of volunteers of different latitudes has assembled: Canada, Japan, the United States. I join them.... Read more >

Gallery: Week 8 in Xela-Graduation

Sat, 16 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Photo Gallery

Preface: Hello

Sat, 16 May 2009 | By enrique_nunez_mussa | Views [746]

I have the impression that trip beginnings are like an amorphous stage consisted of mental instantaneous photographies. In mine there is a tour of indian people that travels from Santiago of Chile to Central America in the same plane that ... Read more >

Mis gratitudes de graduación en español

Fri, 15 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [651]

Hoy es un día especial para mi. Muchas gracias para está oportunidad para hablar. Favor que perdonarme mis errores en gramática y pronunciación. Tengo una historia corta. Hace veinticinco años, Ana, la madre de mi hija, y yo estumvimos prometido. Ana ... Read more >

Yeah, Graduation!!!

Fri, 15 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [723] | Comments [2]

After 8 weeks in Xela my graduation dinner from Miguel Angel Asturias Spanish school was upon me. Twenty-five (25) years ago I made a choice to learn to speak Spanish. I came to Xela with a dream and a hope that after 25 years full of incremental ... Read more >

Tags: dream, spanish school

The weaving of a "bufonda"

Wed, 13 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [521] | Video

One of our class trips was to Trama Textiles. You can find out more at <http://tramatextiles.org/our-story/> Because I like to knit I decided to try my hand at using a telar de cinturón or belt loom. The simplist project was a scarf or "... Read more >

Theora arrives in Xela

Tue, 12 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [347]

Carla and I walked to the Linea Dorada bus stop to meet Theora upon her arrival in Xela. What a joy to see her! "Hola, Theora!"

T2C--Tajumulco Summit Scan

Mon, 11 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [518] | Video

I took this little video starting with the view north with some of my "compañeros de alpinista" and then east and south to show Santa Maria in the distance.

Tags: tajumulco, volcano

T2C--Sunrise from Tajumulco

Mon, 11 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [362]

The sunrise was not as spectacular as the fog enshrouded sunrise from Santa Maria, but a still great view of the region from the 13,845 ft (4220 m) summit--the highest point in Central America. See video scan in the next story. By the way you T2Cers, ... Read more >

T2C--Cows, in the base camp?

Mon, 11 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [365] | Comments [1]

I knew that latitude makes a difference in the micro-climates at different elevations on a mountain, but I really did expect that the Tajumulco base camp at ~13,100 ft would be a cows pasture complete with blooming flowers, cows and "pizza de vaca"... Read more >

T2C--FLASHBACK

Mon, 11 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [536]

T2C--OK, this is not a photo of a Guatemalan volcano and certainly not Tajumuclo. It is a volcano, however. It is Washington State's Mt. Rainier's high base camp--the Ingraham Flats @ 11,200 ft--from my attempted summit of Mt. Rainier last summer (8/18/08).... Read more >

T2C--Hiking Volcán Tajumulco

Sun, 10 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [1431]

Our QuetzalTrekker group is packed into our "picop" this weekend to hike Vólcan Tajumulco, the highest peak in Central American at 13,845 feet (4220 m). Our guides were Carolyn, Lior & Rick. For a topo map of our destination. http:... Read more >

Gallery: T2C--Hiking Volcán Tajumulco

Sat, 9 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Photo Gallery

¿Hablas español?

Sun, 3 May 2009 | By shelleytravels | Views [1081] | Comments [1]

So we arrived in San Pedro de la Laguna and enrolled in the Spanish course. My first teacher was pretty shit although I did learn a lot about her recent break-up with her boyfriend. Brilliant. That´s what I´m paying for? Anyway I ditched her and ended ... Read more >

Gallery: Week 6 in Xela

Sat, 2 May 2009 | By tom_moench | Photo Gallery