Destination: Guatemala

Semana Santa (Easter) -- Week 3

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [469]

Each week the school changes teachers and this week I am matched up with Joaquin, a fun loving guy. Turns out he was an instructor or a friend of mine two years ago. He asked me to pass along a message to your, "Hola, Miriam. ¿Cómo estás?"... Read more >

T2C--Refreshing River Play

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [418] | Comments [1] | Video

After a hot hike to see Volcán Santiaquito we stop at this spot along the river to refresh ourselves in the warm river waters from the volcanos where the locals swim (and extranjeros such as ourselves). Our group hit it off with al the kids and began ... Read more >

Santiaquito from our mirador

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [475] | Video

OK, this is a little video from my Canon Powershot SD630. This is my first attempt at uploading and linking to a video. Let's see what happens. I think it is going to work!!! The volcano has just spat out some boulders and they are rolling down slopes ... Read more >

Gallery: T2C--Volcán Santiaquito Hike

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 | By tom_moench | Photo Gallery

Gallery: Week 2 in Xela

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 | By tom_moench | Photo Gallery

The Palm Sunday Processions & Liquid Hot Magma

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 | By muimui2009 | Views [727] | Comments [1]

Jen and I got up early to make sure we will make the 6am pickup but the shuttle somehow did not see us sitting on the sidewalk waiting (as if we blend right in with the rest of the Guatemalans on the street) so we have decided to go on the 2pm tour. ... Read more >

Arriving at Antigua

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 | By muimui2009 | Views [538]

I’m glad that Jen from school also wanted to go to Antigua even though she would go again the following week for Good Friday. Next week is Semana Santa (Holy Week) but even this weekend there would be much celebration activities on the street we heard.... Read more >

Tags: antigua, bus annoyance

T2C--The Bridge to Somewhere

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [452] | Comments [1]

The village of El Palmar was along this river. After an eruption and rain a second laher of hot, muddy ash flowed down the river and destroyed the town for a second time. The residents decided to move inland. Now all that is left is El Viejo Palmar ... Read more >

All Packed & Ready to Go

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [625] | Comments [1]

I learned a lot about transportation in Guatemala on this hike. We met at Quetzaltrekkers to make sure we had all the common equipment packed, 6 liters of water--4 personal and 2 for commons. (I carried 9 partly for the weight in my pack for training ... Read more >

Hiking to see Santiaquito up closer

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 | By tom_moench | Views [565] | Comments [3]

I took this hike with QuetzalTrekkers, a great local organization of young volunteers who lead treks to raise money for Escuela de La Calle (http://www.quetzaltrekkers.com/guatprojects.html). After a minibus, a chicken bus, and a picop (pickup) we arrived ... Read more >

Gallery: Various for last week in Xela

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 | By muimui2009 | Photo Gallery

Last week in Xela

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 | By muimui2009 | Views [721]

After coming back from San Pedro and Lake Atitlan, my final week (week #3) at Pop Wuj Spanish School in Xela went by incredibly quickly. On Wednesday we went back to finish the stove. This time we have 3 guys and 3 girls volunteering. I can understand ... Read more >

Gallery: Antigua & Volcan Picaya

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 | By muimui2009 | Photo Gallery

Xela and Volunteering with the Mayan Stove Project

Sat, 4 Apr 2009 | By rachel_and_daniel | Views [3345]

After surviving our chicken bus challenges (I now see why most tourists travel by private microbus in Guatemala – its still pretty manic, but its this side of hair-raising) we arrived in Quetzaltenango, or Xela (pronounced ´Shela´) in Quiché Mayan.... Read more >

Tags: fuertas georginas, mayan stove project, quetzaltenango, xela

Chicken Bus Challenge

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 | By rachel_and_daniel | Views [5526] | Comments [1]

Missing the direct bus from Chichicastenango to Quetzaltenango (Xela), in the west of the country, we instead got a chicken bus to the junction with the InterAmericana at Los Encuentros. We were ushered onto a chicken bus by the youthful, ... Read more >

Tags: mad guatemalan bus drivers, near death experiences