Saq’iriq (Buenos dias, or for the rest of you English speakers, good morning) from Pasac!
This week started off with a much needed sleep-in day after a tough night hike up the volcano Santa Maria. Originally the plan was to hike from midnight straight through morning for a sunrise cup of hot chocolate on the summit. Unfortunately, not everything goes as planned and we put our group skills to the test. On the way up, our hearts beating hard, we were torn between tearing layers off our overheating bodies and fighting to stay warm and dry as the rain poured down. After stumbling in the light of our headlamps for a while, a few chose to turn back due to sickness and complications. Those that chose to push on were only able to go half way up due to dangerous and slippery conditions. But, all was not lost, as those who pushed on agreed everything was worth it. After resting in Xela and saying a final goodbye to the city that first welcomed us to Guatemala, we began the first step of our journey in Pasac.
We arrived at the building of Roots and Wings, a community based non-profit that helps give scholarships to kids in need. Roots and Wings partners with many organizations including Carpe Diem. Our guide, Francisco, welcomed us with much excitement and debriefed us on the up and coming week. That night we paired off and met the families that each of us would be staying with. As groups went off with apprehension and excitement, Alex and myself met a unique challenge. As the rest of the group got accustomed to their new living conditions, we waited patiently for our family to come home from a trip into the city. For personal reasons, our family never returned and Alex and I were given a home in the storage room of Roots and Wings. The rest of the group come to our communal meals at one of the local houses with stories of their families. Everyone was jealous of John for his nice bathroom and thankfully Audrey and Ariana finally got an awesome homestay. Nola and Kerry took one for the team on wooded boards instead of mattresses and Jill fought off the loneliness of living without a homestay buddy by traveling around with a town with an entourage of local children. Emily and Ottilia seemed to enjoy their family, even if they seemed to meet a new member or two every day. We didn’t hear much from Danny and Jelte and can only assume that they were comfortable enough because the pair were always caught sleeping in during breakfast time.
On our first full day in Pasac we took a tour of the village and learned about the local projects that the people of Pasac had come together the create. We visited the Coffee Cooperation and all gained understanding about where American goods (like coffee) come from and the hard work behind it. We also spent time picking, shelling, roasting, and grinding our own coffee beans. We all vowed that the next time we sleepily brewed our coffee in our kureggs at home that we would remember this experience and be thankful for the work that these people and others like them put in everyday to make it possible. The Cooperation was just one of many projects we explored including the water purification system and the local school. We learned a bit of K’iche’, the local language and how to make traditional and sweet bread. ….we then spent the next few days stuffing ourselves with said bread, but don’t worry because we worked off the extra calories in a satisfyingly muddy game of football.
Our last full day of Pasac was my personal favorite. After hiking to a nearby river for a swim with an unforgettable view, we relaxed in a homemade sauna. To end our time in the community we have grown to love, our homestay moms helped us dress the part in traditional Mayan clothing, some even doing our hair in elaborate updos. We ate a final dinner together and gathered on the roof for a closing campfire. We danced with the local children and roasted marshmallows before setting off a paper lantern we had made earlier in the week. We went to bed properly stuffed with s’mores and woke up with anticipation for the yoga farm. After saying many “goodbyes” and even more “thank yous”, we set of for Lake Atitlan!
— Nicole LaFond
