I can´t speak for everyone, but I was definitely sad to say goodbye to Xela. The city was a wonderful place where all of us learned so much about Spanish, the culture, and how to dance salsa! It was an amazing experience. Our next experience was also amazing, but in a very different way.
We began our overland trek to Lake Atitlan on Saturday morning, with a nice and early wakeup call of 5:00 in the morning. We loaded up with our backpacks, geared up for the hike, then headed into the mountains. During our trek we covered approximately forty kilometers, an impressive distance without backpacks weighing between ten and forty pounds. Then add to that the fact that it was almost entirely on narrow dirt paths going up and down mountains in thick jungle… it was quite the intense first backpacking experience for many of us. I know that I was nursing some pretty sore muscles after that first day.
It was tough for everyone, but we made it. Sixteen kilometers the first day, sixteen the second, and eight more on Monday morning. We journeyed through clouds, past cliffs, and over rivers. We had some scares on loose rocks and quite a few tumbles on the narrow dirt slopes. We slept on a cement floor, experienced a traditional steam hutsweat lodge, and so much more. Happy is definitely a word that described us when we got our first view of Lake Atitlan. After a ten minute motorboat ride across the lake from San Pedro, we landed in San Marcos which will be our home for the next week. It is a small village nestled in the woods. Hippie tourist town would be an apt description. There are yogis, gurus, masseuses, and so many other spiritual teachers living here. Some of us already experienced heart chakra meditation this morning.
Hopefully San Marcos will prove to be a relaxing and enlightening experience for us all. Namaste to all!
Russell