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Guatemala - November 21, 22, 23

24/11/2011 3:33:09 PM

Guatemala update November 20, 21, 22 2011

The past three days we spent in a very beautiful village crowded on to the side of Lake Atitlan. We had a nice drive through the mountains- and slowly started going down the hill to the lake. The lake has been home to Mayans for centuries and is surrounded by volcanoes. There are several little villages all around the lake – each with Mayan crafts and farming – with the area producing corn, tomatoes, onions. The crafts are very bright and they depend on tourism heavily.

 

The main town on the lake is Panajachel – which is a place that had an influx of hippies until the civil unrest from 1980 to the early 1990’s. |In the mid 90’s the tourists returned and the town is very reliant on tourism today. We checked into our hotel called Dos Mundos and it is a very special place that is like an oasis in the middle of a busy commercial zone. Our rooms overlook a pool which is very calming and restful.

The team went on a shopping marathon. There were so many deals- quilts, blankets, handcrafts, jewellery, clothing….all gorgeous.  We all had to learn how to barter- but we all think Crystal takes the prize- she was able to negotiate the hard bargains! Many of us have Xmas shopping finished – which will be great as we hit the ground running when we get home.

On Monday we loaded onto a boat that was way too small for us – Cal and Jean negotiated a group deal with a fellow for a specific boat but “magically” that boat was across the lake- not where we were. So we piled into a boat that was way too small (there were life jackets, Cathy) and the 5 minute ride the fellow told us turned into 45 minutes. But on the plus- it was a beautiful ride, and the next village we got our bigger boat. The vendors were relentless and followed us right to the dock trying for that last minute sale.

Donna and Bruce toured a nature reserve, some of the team had massages…others just read by the pool……it was a great day.   

 

Linda Knight

CNS Charity