Guatemala #2, Lake Atitlan

After my first week in Guatemala, I have already noticed my spanish improving. But were I to master all the languages of the world, I would still lack the words to describe the beauty of Lake Atitlan. The shimmering blue water filled the basin as if the surrounding volcanoes had stretched their hands deep into the heart of the earth and scooped it up to give life to the land, and the serenity of the valley was so delicate that I felt at any moment the hills would spread their fingers and let that same water sink back into the depths. Above all this, clouds of every shape and size chased each other across an azul sky in harmony with the trees dancing in the wind along the shore. A symphony had come to life before my eyes, and I could do naught but stare.

As I sat there at the edge of the lake, I was reminded of all the times I had sat in similar fashion before the ocean. Those moments have always seemed to remind me of the shear vastness of the natural world around me. But this lake, nestled in the highlands of Guatemala amongst volcanoes that seemed to spring up from the flat fertile ground instantaneously into soaring peaks, evoked in me instead a sense of the powerful majesty of creation. I was a servant kneeling in awe before my king. Coming from a country where it often feels like everyone is in a race to conquer nature, I enjoyed this blunt reminder of the power of their foe.

Still, we humans are a determined lot, and I would only be telling half of the story if I failed to mention the bustling villages that had taken root where they could around the lake. My breif trip only allowed me the luxury of visiting one of them, so I wont make assumptions about the others, but Panajachel felt familiar the moment I stepped off of the bus. The colorful locals mingled seamlessely with the inevitable plethora of tourists that were drawn there, and this conglomorate of cultures immediately reminded me of many parts of Los Angeles where I grew up. Despite the obvious contrast with their natural surroundings, the ramshackle buildings of the village fit in with them surprisingly well. I could easily imagine that instead of being built they had simply grown in with the trees, a gift from the land to all those who worked its soil.

Unfortunately, for a place such as this, 1000 words are worth a mere drop of water in the deep, cool lake. Like all things beautiful, it must be felt, and could never be perfectly described. However, I felt compelled to try, and I hope I have been able to share even a small part of what I found at Lake Atitlan.

Guatemala #1

So I am in Guatemala! One difference I didn´t expect is that the keyboard for the computer is slightly different, but I´m still able to use it... obviously.

Arriving and getting to Xela ended up being much easier then I thought it would be. I was practically rushed through immigration and customs, and the cab driver had no problem understanding that I needed to get to the bus station. I met a fellow American at the station... saved him from spending $100 US on a taxi, and caught the next bus to Xela.

So far the spanish school has been amazing. My teacher´s name is Anabella and she is very patient with my poor spanish. I think she actually finds it funny. My host parents are awesome as well. They treat Jeena (my friend from Calvin) and I like a part of their family.

After school monday I went and did yoga with Jeena and Daniel, an Australian (there are currently 3 students out of 7 at our school named Daniel). Apparently I´m not flexible at all, but it was still really fun and I think we are going back today.

Yesterday the three of us and Sasha, an art student from Boston, climbed the mountain that looks over the city. It was an awesome view, and there was also a cement slide at the top that we went down on crushed plastic bottles. Some local kids showed us how to sit on them in order to go faster. Then we jogged back down the trail. I´m actually getting more exercise this trip then I have in a long time!

So much more to talk about, but thats it for this post. Hasta Luego!