Volcan Pacaya in the evening

Faye's Taxi!

Highly active Pacaya Volcano is the most frequently climbed volcano in Guatemala. It is relatively easily accessible and commonly puts on a good show for volcano enthusiasts.
Pacaya's current active phase began in 1965, and the volcano has been almost constantly in eruption since then.
The easiest and most secure way to visit Pacaya is to go with a licensed tour operator, of which there are numerous in Antigua taking groups to visit Pacaya every day for around $7 per person. Not a bad deal. It includes the 1 ½ hr ride and the guides to take you up the volcano.
The road up the mountain to San Vicente was paved in 2001. But from where the entrada to San Vicente forks off down to the left the road continuing straight on up through the village of Cedros to the hamlet of San Francisco de Sales and Pacaya Volcano is dirt. It is rough, but passable all year round. The persons of this region get around by horses.
Most of the tour groups start at San Francisco de Sales. Here is the official entrance to the national park, and where you need to stop to pay admission. Our admission was part of the $7.

The volcano is 2560 meters high. The climb caught me off guard. I decided to take the taxi that was provided for $50Q. Equaled to about $8.00. It was worth every quentzales.

The volcano produces hot water and is used to make electricity that is used for the City of Guatemala.

In Canada or the United States this adventure would not have been allowed. Too dangerous. We were only 10 feet away from the lava flow. Under our feet was hot fire. Being careful where one stepped was prudent. Check out the pictures in the photo album.

We were taking our time getting back to the bottom of Pacaya, when Ken looked over to Volcan Fuego as it was erupting. It lasted for about 10 minutes then stopped.

This was one day well spent and an experience we will never forget.

Float with Mary carried by the Women of the church

This float is Mary Magdalene and is carried by a couple of women of the church.

This float is carried by approx. 100 men. 50 on each side.

Antigua was built in an era of fantastic colonial wealth. Founded in 1543, Antigua is one of the oldest colonial cities in all of the Americas.
Resting quietly in the valley of the Rio Pensativo, Antigua is surrounded by three enormous volcanoes; Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. History and geology have conspired to create a city of understated style and elegance in an absolutely spectacular corner of the world.
In 1773, one more in a long line of major earthquakes forced moving the capital of Guatemala from Antigua to its present location in Guatemala City. The seismic activity that led to Antigua being all but abandoned two hundred thirty years ago has limited development since, and along with some enlightened city planning, has preserved the best of Antigua while offering the amenities the modern traveler expects.

We arrived a few days before Ash Wednesday and were rewarded with 5 weeks of interesting customs and eye inspiring art.

We homestayed with the Reyes Family, total immersion and were enrolled in Spanish classes 5 days a week for 4 weeks, 7 ½ hrs a day. Muchos espanol.

Antigua, Guatemala is home to the largest Easter celebration in the world in which the Passion, the Crucifix and the Resurrection of Jesus are commemorated. The procession is rooted in Andalusian tradition and was brought over by Spanish missionaries in the 16th Century.
The processions begin on the Sunday following Ash Wednesday, with images of Jesus of Nazareth and the Holy Virgin of Sorrows being carried on floats from the churches on the shoulders of devotees. These floats can weigh up to several tons and require 50-100 people to bear the weight. The carriers, or cucuruchas dress in traditional Maya costume on this day and recreate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. Although there is a definite level of social status involved in being a cucurucha, penance is the primary inspiration. The people of the church pay 30 – 50 Quenzales to have the honour of carrying the float for one city block.
The processions begin with boys dressed in Roman garb, then follows the priests and incense, Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mother Mary. The Mary float is carried by the women of the church dressed in black and veils.
Each weekend begins on the Friday when the church of the week presents their carpet and their alters. The atmosphere around the church is one of a carnival. Rides for the children, carney type foods and many people celebrating. After the mass on the Sunday the people from the church begin their 12 hr route through the streets of Antigua. It starts at 1000hr and ends back at the church at 2300 hrs.

We took the chicken bus to the neighbouring town to observe the opening of the church to display their carpet. These carpets take 12 hrs to make. They are made with sawdust that has been coloured and stencils made up by the artists. (also members of the church) The picture above demonstrates the scene where San Pedro (St Peter) denies knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crows. (Morning). These very life like figures are made with paper mache. The faces are so realistic you could swear they were actors. These carpets are on display for 1 week then a new one is created for the following week.

The Holy week, Monday through Thursday, the streets are filled with similar events, in memory of his final days on Earth. Each evening, a funeral band plays outside of the church, and the people gather around for food, drink, and games.
On the afternoon of Good Friday, the city is dressed in black, along with its devotees. Black crepe paper is strung throughout town on the buildings and trees, and thousands of mourners clothed in black burn incense and carry lanterns. A man bearing the crucifix, followed by supporters carrying banners engraved with Jesus’ last words, leads the procession. The masses pray quietly, while some more emotional followers weep and perform penitence. The thickness of incense in the air, along with statues of a crucified Jesus creates a haunting atmosphere. The image of Christ is laid to rest in the church at 11 pm. In our pictures you will find the picture that has the Jesus that is used for Holy week. The figurine is so life like. Almost gory.
Holy Saturday’s funeral processions are dedicated to images of the Virgin Mary. These floats are relatively smaller and carried by women dressed in their best outfits and often in high heeled-shoes! Easter Sunday is a jubilant festival celebrating the Resurrection of Christ, and fireworks can be seen and heard throughout the city. The mood is casual and joyful on this day. We unfortunately did not get to witness this event and are relaying what has been discribed to us by all our teachers, our homestay family any pretty much every other person we encountered. Ken and I have been invited back for Holy Week next year, and will be helping with the carpet for the school we attended. I will post this then continue in another post.

Mangroves of Pacific Guatemala
Mangrove swamps are among the least appreciated areas worldwide, and certainly in Pacific Guatemala. But a visit to the mangroves reveals fascinating secrets and exerts an unexpected influence on our daily diets back home. The 800 square miles of mangrove in Pacific Guatemala prevent erosion and protect the coastline from storms. They support a food chain that begins at the microscopic level and ends with humans eating fish and shrimp. Researchers believe that two thirds of the world's fish populations depend on mangrove ecosystems during at least one stage of their lives. Today, community activists and local governments are acting to reverse and prevent habitat destruction, as increasing numbers of nature lovers come to see the many birds and animals of the mangroves. We took a sunrise cruise through the Mangroves. It was unbelievable.

(Now for nos amigos de Guatemala)

Los manglares del Pacífico Guatemala
Los pantanos de mangle se encuentran entre las regiones menos valoradas del mundo. No hay duda de que esto es verdad en el Pacífico Guatemala. Pero una visita a los manglares revela secretos fascinantes y ejerce una influencia inesperada sobre nuestras dietas en casa. Los casi 1,300 kilómetros cuadrados de manglares en el Pacífico Guatemala impiden la erosión y protegen la costa de tormentas. También apoyan una cadena de nutrición que comienza a nivel microscópico y termina con seres humanos que ingieren pescado y camarón. Los investigadores creen que dos tercios de las poblaciones de peces del mundo dependen de los ecosistemas de manglares durante al menos una etapa de sus vidas. Hoy en día, activistas comunitarios y gobiernos locales intentan revertir e impedir la destrucción del hábitat, mientras que cantidades cada vez mayores de amantes de la naturaleza visitan los manglares para observar los pájaros y otros animales

Sunset at the Pacific Ocean at Monterico

Ken an I visited Montoricco twice we loved it so much. This is a very small village on the Pacific Ocean. We watched the sunset go down and played in the waves. The temperatures were 90- 110 F. The hotel we stayed at had a terrific pool and was owned by the most wonderful people. Los personos perfecto.

Lake Atitlan
Beautiful Lake Atitlan in the Guatemala highlands is backed by volcanoes and 12 Mayan villages. Traditional values are strong and the original Mayan languages are still widely spoken. The Mayan women still wear the traditional clothing and many of the men are commonly seen wearing the colourful patterns that vary between villages.
Today’s Highland Maya practice religious rituals based on ceremonies with roots in the world of their ancient forebears and in the world of Medieval and Catholic followings. We had the opportunity to witness some of these rites during visits to churches where Maya presently worship, to holy sites that are open to foreigners, and to Quemaderos (sacred shrines) that are hidden places where shaman come to worship in secret.(Within a Catholic Cathedral) And we clearly saw the blending of these beliefs as we observe three different, cigar smoking, whisky drinking statues that are worshiped as living gods within the Catholic Churches.
We witnessed a Mayan wedding and funeral, visited cemeteries that are colourful continuances of the deceased lives.
We visited the small village of Santa Catrina. The first thing we witness was the poverty of the area. Very few children have the opportunity to attend school. It is very costly for persons that are trying to just have the necessities of life.

Hola

Mis amigos y los parientes. (Friends and relatives)

Sorry we didn't send any blogs but we decided to wait until we had time to do a good job of describing Guatemala. We are still not quite home. We are staying an extra day in Seattle with Pam and Stu.

We have decided to break down the blogs by the places we saw.

I will start by saying, for all those people that consider Mexico a destination, spread your wings a little further south and visit Guatemala.

We have over 500 photos to go through edit and attach to the blog.

This by far has been the most interesting, informative, and emotional journey we have ever been on. It has left us very optimistic as to our future journeys starting in Aug.

The northernmost of the Central American nations, Guatemala is the size of Tennessee. Its neighbours are Mexico on the north and west, and Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador on the east. The country consists of three main regions—the cool highlands with the heaviest population, the tropical area along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and the tropical jungle in the northern lowlands (known as the Petén).

We managed to visit them all.

The heart beat of the country is its culture and traditions. The people of this country live their lives engulfed by these two themes. In Guatemala, 75% of the population lives in severe poverty. In Chiapas, where again, three quarters of the population live in poverty, 70% live in poverty so extreme that they are not able to acquire the food, water or shelter needed for basic survival. Two-thirds of the shacks in which poor people lived lacked electricity, drinking water and drainage. They do however have something we do not have. A very strong family stucture based on their beliefs. They appear happy.

We spent 4 weeks in Spanish school 7 1/2 hrs a day. I learnt a lot and can have a limited converstion. Understanding a conversation is easier than speaking. Ken learnt a lot but sells himself short to how much he has learnt. His "Spanglish" and hand gestures have definately improved. We lived with a wonderful family and were invited into their lives as one of their own. In meeting them we now have nuestro familia a de Guatemala. (Our family from Guatemala) A picture of them will be added when we get home.