A Day at the Lake with the Chiroy's

I have kept in casual contact with the Chiroy's, the family I lived with during training. Irma, the middle sister, who I became close with in my three months living with them, had some vacations time (in Guatemala state jobs get a month of vacation in one chunk). She had called me a few weeks back and asked if 'we' could come visit. I was excited to have some time with Irma and her lovely young daughter, Estefani. As the time approached for her arrival I prepared the house and planned a special menu.

Upon arrival I was surprised to see her husband, Isaias and Marta, her mother, in the car as well. I immediately thought, "Typical Guatemalan style, failing to include important information in planning". After doing a quick count in my head of cups, plates, forks, plates/bowls and chairs in my house and realizing there would be enough, I became glad that the others had joined us as well. 

We enjoyed the evening chatting, catching up and dining on a specially prepared dinner and dessert (good thing there was just enough food!). We bedded down (also, just enough bed space!) and slept well, despite 'las bombas' from little Estefani. 

In the morning we had a relaxing breakfast of french toast and they invited me to join them at Lake Atitlan for the day. I cancelled my plans to plant with Benancio and got myself ready for a mini vacation!

A view over the lake with San Jorge in the forefront and Panajachel on the shore. In the background faintly are the volcanoes near Antigua, one of which is putting out smoke.

Estafani, hamming it up in front of Volcan Santiago and Volcan San Pedro.

The shore with 'lanchas' lined up while the drivers holler out prices to other lake-side towns.

Estefani and Marta.

Beautiful Irma and her first time at the lake.

Irma, fully enjoying her vacation, hired a 'lancha' to take a quick tour around the shores near Pana. Estefani was glued to me all day and sat right next to me even with all the boat seats open. Marta relaxes in the seats behind us.

Marta reaching to feel the warm water.

Although she looks sad, she was really very happy.

What a place.

Benancio's Birthday

Last Friday we celebrated Benancio's 33rd birthday. Around 5 o'clock, Nic and I went down to the house to hang out and help get things going. 

Churasco, or grilling, is a Guatemalan specialty. 

Nic played with Elkin while we waited for the grill to heat up.

I kissed Elkin while we waited for the grill to heat up.

Benancio guards the meat from lurking chuchos who wait for an opportunity to swipe it.

Nic and I with pineapple up-side down cake for everyone.

Mi hermanito, the one and only Hendrick Nataniel Calel Perechu. 

Dinner was typical of Guatemala and amazing; carne asada, grilled potatoes, guacamole, black beans, grilled onions, fresh salsa, chile, and of course, hot tortillas. 

Volcan Tajamulco: Round II

Followers of my blog may remember the hike up Volcan Tajamulco that I posted about on Dec. 8th, 2009. Last weekend I had the opportunity to conquer the sleeping volcano again. 

Nic and I at the trailhead.

 

A view of the summit and the road that leads to the trail. This round it was hot and very very dusty, a big change from our trip in December which was cold and cloudy.

Houses dot the first half mile of the road to the trail. Kids have become unashamed panhandlers, approaching hikers with snot-noses and smiles asking first for a quetzal (the Guatemalan currency) and if that fails, a cookie or some candy. But I have learned the secret weapon against kids like these;  they run for cover when the camera comes out. 

It might not protect one's exposed skin to the wind, but look at that view! An old outhouse and Volcan Tacaná in Mexico. 

Our lunch spot had a fantastic view of the valleys and communities around Tajamulco. It is really amazing how remote some of these communities are.

As we lunched we watched huge, fluffy clouds fill in those valleys and communities below. 

The crew: Jerami and Zane, Cara and David, Rachel and Jose, Nic and myself. We arrived at base camp after taking a leisurely pace up the trail. Nic brought his GPS and to our astonishment the trail to base camp was only two miles (it felt like four)!  However, in those two miles we gained 3,000 feet putting base camp at 13,000 feet. 

We woke at 4 a.m. the next morning and climbed in the dark another 850 feet to the summit. 

Unfortunately the camera fails to capture the beauty. If you look closely, the small whitish dot in the sky, left of center, is a crescent moon. 

Although still windy and chilly at the summit, the night was mild (40 degrees) and we enjoyed being outside every minute. 

Clouds blanketed the valleys all the way around the mountain. We were on an island in the sky. 

Volcanoes on the horizon.

The shadow of Tajamulco and the peak of Tacaná. 

Even as the morning progressed and as we packed up and began down the trail the clouds lingered between ridges and peaks. 

More Tires...

 As well as a new project we have added a new group. Today we planted with a group of women that live a short walk from Chirijox.  

         

The women were very friendly and enthusiastic. Each woman helped to prepare the tires of all the other women in the group, a parade marching from house to house in the dust. 

Here a woman pushes dirt into the sides of the tires to prevent air pockets. This community has particularly sweeping views of the valley and ravines below.

Group participation.

A particularly surly one.

A typical scene: A partially completed weaving, basket of multi-colored yarns, a mat for sitting and a chucho taking advantage of the shade on a hot morning. 

Ode to Don Juan