Hey there Itza friends and family! Tom here, just wanted to give a little insight on what our time on Lago Atitlan entailed.
After much deliberation and last minute planning, we had to cancel our 3 day trek. However, we were still able to do a 2 hour hike down the Indians Head mountain which had constant photo ops and a beautiful look over lago Atitlan. The view alone was inspirational and had us more than excited to be in this spectacle of beauty.
When we arrived in the town of San Marcos it was obvious that the vibe here was the opposite of the city vibe we got used to for 2 weeks in the bustling city of Quetzaltenango. The first night we ate at the vegetarian restaurant located in our hostel, then went off to see how small the town actually was. We were surrounded by yoga, meditation, massage therapy and a plethora of artistic classes to choose from. Many of us took massage therapy classes, or head massage classes. However, other activities we partook in included drum classes, glass window making, kayaking, and more. There were plenty of gringos here, obviously drawn to the natural beauty and serenity of the area, however they were all very unique, interesting people. Between the travelers from all over the world, mixed with many indigenous people, San Marcos was rich in culture. I actually found myself with leftover activity money and had an indigenous woman teach me how to make crystal necklaces, she also talked to me about her culture and life story. Not a day went by in San Marcos where we all werent aware of the epicness of the lake, volcanoes, and mountains that surrounded us. Jesse and I also went to a nearby bosque (or forest) and jumped off a platform about 7 meters above the water which was extremely thrilling.
All in all San Marcos was my personal favorite part of the trip thus far and I know many others agree. I totally understand why this place was number two on top 10 list of places to visit in Central America. Just before we got on the lancha (or boat) to leave the town, our friend Benjamin informed me for many years Lago Atitlan was known as the temple of light. The way the sun reflected on the lake, as well as the surrounding volcanoes left us all in awe. Our journey now takes us to Leon, Nicaragua for spanish school and our last homestay. All the best to friends and family of all ITZA members.
Sending positive energy to all,
Tom and the Itza crew
p.s- Shout out to mom and dad, love and miss you both.