Greetings all,
Everything is going well here in Guatemala. There have been no injuries since our last update and we have had the fortune of avoiding illness thus far. As far as we can tell, the mental health of group remains intact. The days have been long but not especially difficult, and they have been supplied with plenty of opportunities for rest. Fortunately, today was a fairly quiet day that furthered our understanding of the local culture.
The morning began in typical fashion. Breakfast began at the far too early hour of 7:00. The wonderful staff of the retreat center treated us to a delicious meal for which we were very grateful. After being awoken by our meal we set out on our journey to Lake Atitlan. The three hour car ride to the lake was not especially welcomed after the long drive yesterday to get to Guatemala, but we knew it would be fun again.
The ride was relatively uneventful seeing as we were all still tired and most of us spent the ride sleeping. Others of us were not as lucky and got car sickness as we winded our way down the narrow mountain road. Excitement rose as the lake came into view between the mountains. Lake Atitlan is truly a place of tremendous beauty. The lake is as clear and clean as any lake you will find. Surrounding the lake are small mountains covered in forest with deep green foliage. Throughout the day clouds shrouded the tops of the mountains, adding a level of mystery to the whole trip. Small towns lined the perimeter of the lake, but we could only visit one.
We all climbed aboard a ferry at the magnificent Hotel Atitlan. Just as we were boarding, a helicopter landed right by us which was a new experience for many people. All of us boys aboard the boat (hence the title) crossed the lake. It is a very large lake so the ride took a full 40 minutes. We passed between two volcanos (do not worry - they were not active) across to Santiago Atitlan. Seeing the immense beauty of the nature around the lake was something special. Few places can make you just stop and admire the true incredibleness of nature, but this did. Places like this make you realize why we must preserve the planet and actively work against the environmental destruction humans are so apt at.
Arrival in Santiago Atitlan marked a shift in our day. The town is bustling with life. We passed through the town and tried our best to observe everything that was going on: shops lined the streets, vendors attempted to sell their goods, people carried their purchases home, stray dogs wandered, and we marched upward toward the Cathedral. The town was unlike anywhere I have ever been. The lives of the people are so different than our lives at home, so it is hard for us to relate. Everyone we passed had their own story, their own struggle, and even if they were selling bracelets for 50 cents a piece, they managed. The culture in which they live is completely unique even in Guatemala.
There is no better representation of their unique culture than the Cathedral in town. It was built in 1547 by the Spanish who were content upon converting the natives to Catholicism. However, upon entering the church it was very obvious that the Catholic culture had been blended with the native Mayan culture in a way not seen elsewhere. All of the saints that lined the walls and the figures behind the altar, including Jesus hanging on the cross, were dressed in brightly colored Mayan robes. Vibrant red banners hung across the Church in celebration. This cathedral served as a reminder to me that even though it may seem like our cultures do not mix, they can. With just a little creativity we can reconcile our differences and blend with people who may not seem to have anything in common with us.
Leaving the cathedral, we went into town to eat lunch. We went to a restaurant in town where the common meal choice was a complete fried fish covered in garlic. It was deep fried and was very recognizable with the head completely intact. Everyone was very satisfied and left happy.
We went out into the streets to shop for whatever we wanted to buy. A popular choice was artwork done in the traditional style of Guatemala with busy paintings and bright colors. Others bought shirts, bracelets, and other mementos. Despite a language barrier, we were all able to successfully negotiate the prices we wanted for the items we bought. It was a cool experience being able to work past the language barrier and experience something new. After shopping for a while it was time to head back to the retreat center. And we were just in time because a huge thunderstorm was rolling in behind us as we departed.
The drive home was quite lively and full of chatter. Upon arriving back at the retreat center, we ate dinner and then went up to the common room to play games and enjoy each others' company. All in all, it was a fantastic day, but personally we are very ready to get to service and do what we can to help the less fortunate down in the city.
Love all,
Jack Fisher, Greg Miller, and The Guatemala Team
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