Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala
This last week, our FINAL week, we traveled out of Guatemala city and into the old, colonial capital of Antigua for Semana Santa festivities. During the week we stayed in the beautiful Lutheran Retreat Center run by an indigenous women’s cooperative. As we wrapped up this semester with final presentations we also ventured out into....
Salvador Urbina, Chiapas, Mexico
A break from the city, time to relax in a tranquil little town, and all the coffee we ever wanted to drink.聽 What a wonderful ten days our group spent in the coffee growing community of Salvador Urbina, Chiapas, Mexico.聽 While we spent a lot of time embracing local culture: sitting around, talking, and watching....
Free Travel Reports from Guatemala
After 8 weeks of Spanish classes and living with host families here in Guatemala City, we had a week of free travel where we could go anywhere we wanted (within reason, of course). Our group of 20 students split up into smaller groups and most people headed to the beach, but my group of five....
Poetry from Guatemala
I am tired of not being allowed to study where I wish And yet studying anywhere is a privilege I am tired of not being able to decide what I eat And yet having food is a privilege I am tired of not being able to wash clothes, dry dishes or clean my own room....
Guatemala – report from Lake Aititlan
Coming into the last 2 weeks of our time here with our host families and Spanish classes it seems that some of us are starting to get anxious for the end. For others it seems sad because they are just getting to really know their families and they already have to leave. It is so....
The past and present in Guatemala
Throughout our stay here in Guatemala, we’ve been learning about Guatemala’s violent history. This week we had a lecture about human rights in present-day Guatemala, and we’re learning how the past is affecting present-day Guatemala. I have had a hard time comprehending the extent and intensity of the violence, but one experience last week helped....
Visit to Tikal and reflections on the Guatemalan civil war
This weekend was a second one in a shoreline Paradise, as our group descended upon the mostly undeveloped rainforest region of Tikal in the northernmost part of Guatemala.聽 This past week we finished our first section of intensive Spanish and we will all be moving up a level and changing around classes in the week....
Guatemala – a day at the beach
I can鈥檛 believe it has been seven weeks since our trip began. It has been exciting. Every day there is something new to learn to and to see. Right now I am learning a lot of Spanish, a lot about Guatemala, and am getting to know my host family. I have a Mom, Dad, Grandma,....
Mayan spirituality and culture
This week our theme was Mayan spirituality and culture. We started out by hearing some of the history of the Mayans and how they鈥檝e been influenced by Western ideas and practices. Even the people who do still practice Mayan spirituality have incorporated other doctrines and traditions. I never really knew much about Mayan spirituality, but....
Report from Guatemala
This past week has been a nice chance to settle into the routine of our lives here in Guatemala for the next while.聽 Returning to the houses of our host families every night finally feels a little bit more like home, using the camionetas (public buses) is not as daunting a task as a week....