Written By OEs Mara & Matt
And with our journals full of discoveries, our hearts full of memories, and our clothing full of new smells, we’ve found our ways back home. It’s amazing how quickly time has passed! It feels like we were just meeting each other in the Sonesta hotel and carrying a massive pizza box through security.
Rides in the back of pick-up trucks and volcanic eruptions set the tone for the adventure that awaited during our first few days together as a group at Earthlodge. Comalapa brought us closer as a group as we danced together on the cob, created our own UNO and DOS rules, and experienced our first marimba melodies. Xela introduced us to immersive Spanish and salsa classes, football (soccer) games as spectators and players, and the unforgettable Xocomil water park! There were festivals in the park, many visits to the ice cream shop, and our first round of homestays. Long trekking days were rewarded with stunning views, temescal saunas, and ghost stories. Our time at the Bambu felt like a dream. Really, was it real? Did Shad really wear the same shirt every day? Did Ashley inspire us all to build our own homes using natural materials? Can anyone dance as well as Inky the cat? San Juan quickly won our hearts with its colorful streets, endless coffee shops, and welcoming host families. We left with bufandas, canvases, embroidered pillowcases, and a strong desire to return someday. Our final week in Guatemala was spent on the Caribbean coast! Student directed travel led to days filled with kayaking adventures, cannonball contests, ping pong tournaments, and a paradise beach. We will never forget the thrill of our new, local friend Jonny (Yonny) showing us the way into hidden caves with an outstretched hand.
And off we went to Costa Rica, quickly greeted by toucans, Javier’s family, and the national staple: gallo pinto. Our time in Mastatal was made complete with stunning waterfalls, hanging out in hammocks, and a visit to a chocolate factory. Before leaving Villas Mastatal, we memorialized our dear friend Pato Blanco who passed away during our stay at Long Way Home with a painting on the wall. After a bus ride along the coast and a wild boat ride with nearly 200 eggs in tow, we made it to Drake Bay. The SCUBA course started right away, and by day two we were breathing underwater. We were treated with clear skies for a few sunny hours and incredible views of a baby humpback whale breaching. Eric, the Corcovado guide, could spot wildlife from a mile away and a family of white-faced capuchin monkeys welcomed us to our new favorite beach. Our final day in Grecia was spent reminiscing and reflecting on this wild adventure, putting on our fancy clothes, and dancing to live music at dinner.
It started with stacking tiny pizza tables and ended with discovering that our beloved turtle mascot, Rico, was stuffed with hearts. There are so many unforgettable moments: the first views of Guatemalan volcanoes, the sun rising over Lake Atitlan, spotting sharks underwater, macaws flying above us, Andres’ dance moves, just to name a few. We’ve enjoyed chocofrutas, endless cups of coffee, and more freshly made tortillas than we knew what to do with. Days were filled with dance parties, game nights, and albums worth of photos (many featuring Matt). We moved rocks, threw cob, dug trenches, and fell in love with Kankles the dog. We learned about the Guatemalan armed conflict, brainstormed ways to apply permaculture ethics to our lives back home, and shared meals in Spanish.
All that’s left to say is “WHAT IS THE NEXT?” We cannot wait to see where your paths lead you from here. We feel so grateful to have spent the past two and a half months traveling, learning, and laughing with you. Thank you for all the leaps you took outside your comfort zone, the support you provided for each other, and the discoveries you shared with the group. It was an honor to have joined you on this experience. We hope that our paths cross again. In the meantime, we can’t wait to see where your little pieces of Rico adventure to!
Stay wavy, everyone! Un abrazo, M & M