Written By Jackie and Lauren
We’ve officially been here for a month — CRAZY! We spent the past week in Tzununa, a tiny but beautiful town right on Lake Atitlan. We stayed at a guest house called Bambu, which honestly felt more like a resort. The food and amenities were next level, with a sauna and cold plunge, and of course delicious meals. All our food was fresh and straight from the earth, grown within walking distance at Atitlan Organics. The early morning farm work felt manageable due to the food, hospitable culture, and amazing conversations with our group and local partners. We all stayed together in one big room which made the whole week feel like a non-stop sleepover with the best views imaginable.
Our days were packed. Our mornings started with optional yoga (some of us made it, some of us… didn’t), then we went to the permaculture farm, and after, we listened to lectures about design and sustainability. We learned how humans can live harmoniously with the land and with each other by valuing community and respecting natural resources. We even got to plant tuul, which are water plants, in Lake Atitlan, trees in rocky terrain, and radishes in toiled garden beds! Throughout the week we got to explore the neighboring towns, and the most hidden waterfall pools with our Guatemalan guide, Jose! We rode in the back of a truck from Santiago to a Mayan pueblo that provides farm fresh food for their community, opposing mass-exports of coffee and avocado to the United States. At Atitlan Organics, we got to see right where our food came from and could even pick fruit right off the tree and eat it. Among some of our favorites were figs, passionfruit, avocado, and coffee beans (surprisingly tasty!).
We thanked all the amazing people that helped us in Tzununa by performing a rap…twice. We performed to the owner and cooks of Bambu and separately at an open-mic night. It was to the beat of “Still D.R.E.,” and it was incredible. I think we all have a real future traveling across Central America performing permaculture raps. We sadly said goodbye to Tzununa, took a boat ride to San Juan, and started our two-day trek up Rostro Maya. The trek was full of bugs, sweat, and way too many laughs, which was all worth it thanks to the ice cream breaks and stunning views. We got to end the night with a campfire in the clouds and wake up to see the sun rise from the mountain top. We ended the week in San Juan, ready for two weeks of Spanish classes and homestays. Covered in bug bites and full of gratitude, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
