Hello friend and family and welcome to our blog!
It all began in the San Francisco airport. One by one we found our way to the TACA counter of the international terminal where Nick and Amanda (our incredible, fearless leaders) told us to meet. Once we’d all arrived we said goodbye to Ethan and a few parents who came for the send off, and made our way to the gate to begin our journey to Finca Ixobel, in Poptun, Guatemala. After a long flight from SFO to San Salvador and a quick hop to Guatamala City, we got in a van for a six hour ride for our first stop. It actually turned out to be a good thing that we had such a long ride because Tim had been waiting for the right time for us to play two truths and a lie since the group first got together in the airport. The ride gave us our first glimpse at Guatamala, as we cruised thorugh. We finally got to Finca Ixobel in the dark and just in time for dinner. The food here is amazing, it’s almost a shame to get so spoiled at the beginning of our trip.
The next day the real excitement began. First we were able to fully appreciate the beauty and magnificance of this place we are staying at. There are the most vibrant colors surrounding us in our first warm home away from home. After some group building activities which ranged from sharing our fears and expectation to trying to guess (while blindfolded), which of our peers could make an absurdly accurate pigeon noise, we set off to conquer what is known as “the pyramid” on the land here. The pyramid is a mountain that has a trail going more or less striaght up with some rocks and trees to grab on to periodically. It might also be worth mentioning that the mountains here are more or less Hershey’s kisses shaped scattered throughout the land. So we took off and made our way to the top, everyone intact and thrilled to find such a remarkable view of the land. As we started to go back Nick mentioned a small trail he noticed going down the opposite side of the mountain and we agreed to try it. Well, by the time the trail ended we had slid down far too much loose dirt to even consider going back up, so we kept on going. I think we were all proud of ourselves for that trek. We finally found the path again and made a smooth return.
Today was awesome. We all woke up to the sound of rain pouring down on the roof, but knew that we had a long day of hiking and caving ahead of us, and got ready to go regardless. As we set out on the two hour hike to get to the cave we all tip-toed around mud puddles and particularly went looking footings. One by one we misjudged a step or slipped and found ourselves ankle or more deep in mud. Within about thirty minutes of our departure, we had all given up on the idea of being clean or dry and we just went for it. The hike was great, even in the rain. When we reached the cave, we took a moment to rest before journeying on despite the fear, cold, and discomfort some of us felt. It couldn’t have been more that ten feet into the cave that you had to swim for the first time. The cave was beautiful, but it was easy to get caught up in your next step and forget to look around. When we reached the waterfall where you could jump off into a deep area some of us were certain we were going to do it, some not sure, and some certain that they weren’t going to do it. I am so proud to say that every one of us managed to build up the courage to jump from the waterfall and I am certain that nobody regrets it. I am so thankful and proud to have this group.
After we got out fill and a few of us made the terrifying decision to swim through a tunnel in the cave into another cave, we swam crawled and climbed our way back to the opening. We saw amazing sunshine peeking in through the end of the tunnel and were all relieved to reach the end. When we got out we hurried to get dry and warm, but more importantly to eat our lunches. Then we started our trek home. The path was slightly less muddy, but none of us cared in the slightest about getting muddy or wet at that point. It was a one step at a time mission to get back. Some of us sought the shower while other kept going to eventually reach the little laguna at the Finca. Everyone was very tired by the time we made it back. All in all, it was an amazing experience.
With dinner and a few hours of rest we met up to talk as a group and Amanda let each of us pick a card that depicted a Mayan god that we would try to draw connections to. After each of us picked and card and drew connections we had two left. We flipped the first one for Ethan, the Sun God. We found this appropriate because like the Mayans valued the sun god for making everything possible, we value Ethan for making everything possible for us. Thanks Ethan, we love you. Then we decided to flip the last card for Nannette and Amy, the Hero Twins. The Hero Twins were a major player in the creation story and are known for outwitting problems. It was a trip
Yesterday was Jessica’s birthday and despite being very sore, we went on a two hour horseback ride through mountains and countryside. It was beautiful, but OUCH. It was awesome. In the afternoon we had our first scavenger hunt in town. The mission: a roll and toilet paper and a gift for the host families that we are going to today. I think we all had a good time and Nick finally got some street meat (tacos). We had a super delicious cake for Jessica’s birthday.
Hasta pronto,
Raquel
