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Some more beautiful pictures of Lago de Atitlan for you all to enjoy.
I just returned from a little trip to San Marcos La Laguna, just across the lake from San Pedro. San Marcos is somewhat paradaisical (I think I´m mixing up English and Spanish spellings of that word, but at the moment that´s the best I can do). It´s definitely a touristy town, at least half of it is. The Locals all live a bit up above the lake in the "Mayan village" and then all of the touristy places are right down by the lake. A lot of yoga, retreat, meditation facilities, good restaurants, and lots of interesting things. I finally got to eat lunch (after having a couple of bites of pan de coco for breakfast) at 3 and had a huge bowl of pasta, which was fabulous. It is a little difficult to find comida tipica (local Guatemalan food) around these parts (though I have not been trying too terribly hard after last week with the family in Xela and LOTS of eggs and tortillas). Aside from the lake and volcano views, my favorite thing about these lakeside communities are all of the streets / paths / trails that are just for people, bikes, and dogs. Especially in San Marcos they were very beautiful. Of course half of my pictures or more are of these pathways, so my affinity for them is, I think, somewhat obvious. Also I love the door ways.
My Spanish classes are going well - this teacher is REALLY into grammar structure and seems quite surprised that I don´t know what a plu-perfect is in English. But I am learning a lot - and he was willing to walk with me yesterday around part of the lake - through San Juan La Laguna and San Pablo La Laguna. Interestingly to me, he had something of a hangover and we stopped along the way and he had another beer about about 11am. Never did understand the - drink more alcohol for a hangover logic - but whatever. Yesterday was the hottest day so far here - so the 3 hour walk was pretty sweaty. We rode back in the back of a piccop (pick-up) with about 15 people all standing up (there are railings, don´t worry). The walk was beautiful and some of the pictures here are of that journey. We stopped at a beautiful beach - Las Cristallinas - and I wished I had my swim suit.
When we got back I decided to go for a swim in the lake right by my school. The water was fabulous - once I got out past the part where you sink about 8 inches in the mud while trying to walk out to swim. Turns out I got there right in time - both because it started getting cloudy complete with downpour soon thereafter, and because school let out - and I got to watch all of the little kids running down to the lake, ripping off their clothes (minus underpants) and charging into the lake. It was really a fabulous site. I also learned from them that there are parts to swim in with NO mud, a lesson I will file for next time. I am hoping it is hot again in the next couple of days before I leave here - if not I might just have to take another dip anyways.
Other than this I have just been exploring San Pedro. Got a massage a couple of days ago - met up with the woman from the lancha at one point in a restaurant. Had more "Kypreos" coffee today. Watched a film with some more students at my school - although at this school there are only 2 others - the film is called - La Hija de la puma - and is a pretty tragic account of the civil war here. It was actually made during the war. I would recommend it if you´re feeling like some tragedy. Finally got some travelers checks changed after going to the bank twice when there were about 30-40 people in line. Finally I went at 1 - during lunch time here - and I was one of three people there. Very different than what you would find during lunchtime at a bank in the U.S. Thinking of leaving here Saturday and staying a night in Panajachel before heading to Antigua on Sunday. Next week no studying - which I have mixed feelings about. The structure that studying for 4 -5 hours a day has provided has been good for me - we will see what a week of no-structure looks like.
previous travel blog entryComments or Questions for the Author
Melodia says:
Becky, I love the freedom you're having to walk and learn, then swim and laugh with kids, during your days. It sounds like the best way to recouperate from working eighteen jobs and getting four degrees in the past year, like you were. :) I love the photos of the pathways, too! Melody
Adee says:
Hi, I am traveling to Guatemala in the summer and thinking of visiting San Pedro to study with my son. I was thinking of Flor de Maiz Spanish School. Could you tell me the name of your school if you think it was a good one. Would San Pedro be good for a 9 year old? Is getting in and out of San Pedro easy? Also,I am an advanced Spanish speaker already. Are the teachers able to teach higher levels of Spanish. Thanks for any advice you can give me! Adee
Rebecca Anne says:
Hi - I went to the Corazon Maya Spanish School in San Pedro. I really liked my teacher - and I'm sure he could teach advanced spanish - his name was jose. They were very flexible and a pretty small operation, which I liked. I think San Pedro would be fine for a 9 year old - especially if the weather is good an you can swim in the lake! Most of the "tourist" stuff seems geared toward 20/30 somethings, but I don't think anything was inappropriate for a 9 year old. Getting in and out of San Pedro just required a little patience. Once I got to Panajachel, I just asked around for where to catch the boat to San Pedro. Then waited for around an hour and then a 20/30 minute boat ride. I must warn you however - the boat ride was VERY rough and wet (it was raining). Getting out of San Pedro just requires asking at the dock when the boats leave for Pana (or wherever you are wanting to go). There are also some people employed by the tourist office in San Pedro who will probably greet you at the dock and offer to help you. I found them quite helpful in getting a little golf-cart type taxi to get me to the school. Corazon Maya is about a 15-minute walk to the downtown area. But a great walk, as you can do most of it on the little paths that go throughout the town! Best of luck!
urbansusie says:
wow becky you are right, sounds like my kiindof place; yoga, retreat, meditation, good food and interesting things to see for the eye. i would like to visit the places you have been so far through your blogs. are there many students in your class? have you made friends with them? where are they from? swim lots for me as you sink your toes in the mud.susie