Written By Maddie & Matt
Maddie and Matt here! We’ve had a jam-packed week with lots of fun and lots of aches. We started off in Pachaj working on reforestation with the Chico Mendes foundation.
Here’s the group looking snazzy after a quick hike on our first day there.
We moved a LOT of dirt and did a lot of sifting.
Hunter spent a lot of time being swaggy with his melon (a home boy) in between the corn fields.
Look at all this bountiful produce in Salcaja, delicioso!
Here we have Jane going absolute beast mode in the kitchen for our competition.
We got to partake in a traditional Mayan ritual, too. Thanks to Chico Mendes for immersing us in such a variety of activities.
Next we embarked on our 2.5 day trek to Lake Atitlan!
The group was fired up and ready to crush this hike on Day 1. We did 15 miles on the first day and looked like baddies while doing it.
The crew getting a much needed break.
River crossing!
Soumya helping Jane across.
First night of the trek dining.
Guard doggo.
Starting off the second day with a climb.
Starting off the second day with a climb.
Emma, Hunter, Saul, and Emily smiling through the fog.
Kissing some flowers 🌸
Caroline’s backpack buddy is actually a ghost poncho to protect her sleeping pad along the way.
Our guide explaining the mural in Santa Clara, our destination for the second night.
Sleeping quarters!
Erin showing off her linguistic talents at the talent show on our last night of the trek.
On day 3, we awoke at a refreshing 4am to hike to the Nose of the Maya to watch the sun rise over the Lake
The sunrise starts!
Jane, Maddie, Emily, and Saul soak up the view.
Volcanos!
Sun kissed.
Here is our bomb group photo after a bomb sunrise and bomb trek overall.
With a mere 10 minutes left of hiking after sleepless nights on concrete floors and limbs about to fall off from soreness, Emily, Emma, and Maddie celebrated with a joyous rooster ride.
In typical Erin fashion, she slurped some yummy cold brew after slaying that trek.
After 3 days of physical pain and exertion, we got to rest and relax in beautiful San Marcos! The town is known for its aura of spiritual healing and hippie culture. We learned about metaphysics, yoga, and meditation, and overall relished in some rest and relaxation. Here is the Las Piramides we practiced metaphysics at!
Mid-semester group circle/bonding/reflecting.
This is Eagle’s Nest, where we took a yoga class with a gorgeous view of the Lake.
This is Eagle’s Nest, where we took a yoga class with a gorgeous view of the Lake.
Last but not least, we took a dip in the Lake to escape the heat. Now we head to San Juan for Spanish classes and educational activities. We hope you enjoyed this weekly blog, and that you agree that we are clearly the most baller bloggers in the group. Hasta Luego! -Matt + Maddie
PS” Hunter and Ryan up to Shenanigans on their successful passport run to Guatemala City! Hunter promptly lost his new passport in the van on the way back, but we have retrieved it yet again
