Well - the gods were with us. Today was our "Free Day" for both GSE Teams. For once, we had AMAZING weather.
We awoke with a sleep-in (wow!) and a late breakfast at the Resort. The sky was blue, with not a cloud in site. We knew it was going to be a scorcher...at 10am, it already felt about 28C.
Can't say much for the day...we lounged around, chased the 100's of peacocks and parrots, and swam in the pool. A few of us got pedicures at the spot.
Just what the Doctor ordered...
This evening will be our "last" presentation using our standard material (it needs to be changed for Antigua). We will go out with a Bang!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Photos from Days 22-24
Hi, Everyone. Sherrill has been doing a terrific job keeping up our blog narrative, so I thought I would just add some more photos from where she left off. Today is our last "day off," we have theoretically been getting one a week, but the setting of this one tops all. It is a large hotel with beautiful grounds, right opposite a water park and a theme park, both of which we did on Sunday with two Rotarians. Saturday started off with Georgio and Mike (the East Coast group who joined our itinerary in Guatemala City) doing a "canopy" zip line trip in a nature preserve near Panajachel. I (Kathleen) went along and wish I had suited up and "zipped" in tandem with a guide. We may have a chance again in Antigua.
After that, our wonderful Panajacel host Fredy Lara and his beautiful daughter Jacqueline helped send all nine of us and our luggage off to our next stop, Retalhuleu, where we were met by Maria Clemencia, who made sure we had ultra-comfortable accommodations and a wonderful "welcome" meal with fresh steamed, since host families were not an option for this stay.
Day 23, Sunday, was a very different exposure to "culture," as the Retalhuleu club treated us to the water park and theme park that have been created largely by local businesses as a community feature for their employees and families. Not quite Disneyland but a nice rival, with Mayan culture themes and super nice staff.
Day 24 -- Very interesting trip to Tak'Alik Ab Aj a Mayan site near by, driven by our new Rotarian Friends Pino (president of the Rheu club), Paco (his architect, business partner), and Esvin. We thought we were "ruined out," but, as with each site we have toured of Mayan ruins, the uniqueness of this one captured our interest all over. Below you see 1) Sherrill, Meghan, and Georgio feeling the baby of a pregnant Mayan, 2) an aquaduct, and 3) the ultimate sample of recycling -- that thing in the middle is a corn grinder that broke, so they used it as a stone in the road.
We continue to learn and do and are having a great adventure.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Day 23 Guatemala: Retalhuleu
Can we call today a vocational day for a Mechanical Engineer??? With all my buddies joining in on the fun???
Retalhuleu is known in Guatemala as having one of the largest theme parks in Guatemala - imagine Disney Land of Central America. We were all really excited when we heard that we were going to this exquisite park...
We started off at the Water Park - Splashdown Park (in Vancouver) on Steroids...it has the capacity for about 8000 people, but being that it is the low season and a Sunday, there was hardly a soul in the park. We had barely any lines, and tried all the rides in the park. We even got Kathleen on a few of them...
We have a rule about no pictures in swimsuits, but I will try and squeak a few on the site...
In the afternoon, we headed over the the Amusement Park where they have the carnival rides and the Roller Coaster. We rode the Roller Coaster twice, and the log/water coaster once...
The park is divided into countries as "themes" - France, Italy, Guatemala, and Germany.
After a day spent in the sun, we headed back to our hotel for a quiet dinner and an early bed.
Retalhuleu is known in Guatemala as having one of the largest theme parks in Guatemala - imagine Disney Land of Central America. We were all really excited when we heard that we were going to this exquisite park...
We started off at the Water Park - Splashdown Park (in Vancouver) on Steroids...it has the capacity for about 8000 people, but being that it is the low season and a Sunday, there was hardly a soul in the park. We had barely any lines, and tried all the rides in the park. We even got Kathleen on a few of them...
We have a rule about no pictures in swimsuits, but I will try and squeak a few on the site...
In the afternoon, we headed over the the Amusement Park where they have the carnival rides and the Roller Coaster. We rode the Roller Coaster twice, and the log/water coaster once...
The park is divided into countries as "themes" - France, Italy, Guatemala, and Germany.
After a day spent in the sun, we headed back to our hotel for a quiet dinner and an early bed.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Day 21 - Guatemala: Panajachel & Lake Atitlan
I woke up last night with biggest eureka moment of my life: "I am cold". Not cold as in the insensitive type (although some may argue), but cold as in the temperature is frigid. Now, why this was such a revelation is that I am from Canada. I SHOULD NOT be cold at 15 degrees Celsius. But there I was moving around at 2:00 am, waking up my roomate Shelly, as I dashed around trying to find one of two pairs of socks I packed to this warm climate and my only long sleeved shirt. This tells me that I have reached a turning point in Central America...
Enough of my evening adventures...
Today was going to be a busy day...after a typical Guatemalan breakfast of huevos (eggs) and frijoles (beans) (wow, I am so bilingual now!), we met up again with Mike and Tucker from the area and cruised off to our boat to head across Lake Atitlan to San Lucas to go check out some of the projects that the groups have been working on.
It was a beautiful morning on the boat. It was a bluebird sky and no haze in the air from the sugar cane burning.
Boat Approaching San Lucas with Volcano in the background
Our Boatload with the two GSE Teams!
We were met at San Lucas by Esperanza - the woman "behind the scenes" that works with Francia (of Rotary) on the projects. This woman was incredible - to hear some of the stories that she has gone through to achieve what she has: including vigilante killings, her own kidnapping, etc. And then to see her trekking through the woods in 3" heels - I was impressed.
We were first taken to K'aslem Mandala Environmental Education Center via a herd of Tuk Tuks.
The Tuk Tuk Gang with Pimped Out Rides
At the center, we were toured through the facilities and the gardens. The centers goal is to provide education and training to the youth in the area on "permaculture" and sustainable living. Dawn and Kathleen (Rotary Team Leaders) then planted an honorary tree at the center...
Listening to Permaculture Program
Kathleen and Meghan (ex-Tree Planter!) planting the Tree
We then took an interesting diversion for a "snack" when we visited the Nueva Esperanza Center. The center was started up by Esperanza (who walked the whole day in heels - again, I am impressed). 26 woman are involved in this coop where they make and market food preservatives - including jams, marmalades, salsas and honey. Now, what better marketing scheme than to take hungry GSE Team Members to sample the various jams...I think they did a pretty good job selling! Move over Costco!
This evening, we are all really stoked to be going out for the "Best Pizza In Guatemala" at the Circus bar - will have to keep you posted on how it rates to Canadian pizza...
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Day 16 - Guatemala: San Jose
After praying to the Gods for Good Weather and refusing to plan anything (karma so it won't be cancelled), we awoke to sun peering through the blinds - not a cloud in the sky! Cielo azul...
Emi and Paulo were great hosts throughout the day - feeding us breakfast and lunch (burgers!), and plying us with beer...
The day was just what the doctor ordered - lounging on the black sand beaches of San Jose, playing in the massive ocean waves, and swimming in the pool with a beer can waiting on the edge...absolutely beautiful!
We met and conversed with our new friends from the Connecticut GSE Team and their experiences in Honduras, swapping stories from home, and discussing serious topics...(I had to write that!).
Only when we thought the day had begun, did it end...we were picked up by Roberto (Chobe) Fuentes at 5:00 pm and were escorted back to Guatemala City to meet with our host families for 3 nights.
We are ready and full of energy! Thanks to Emi and Paulo for putting up with all of our wackiness!
PS. Georgio got sunburned! Consequence for refusing to wear sunscreen...
Emi and Paulo were great hosts throughout the day - feeding us breakfast and lunch (burgers!), and plying us with beer...
The day was just what the doctor ordered - lounging on the black sand beaches of San Jose, playing in the massive ocean waves, and swimming in the pool with a beer can waiting on the edge...absolutely beautiful!
We met and conversed with our new friends from the Connecticut GSE Team and their experiences in Honduras, swapping stories from home, and discussing serious topics...(I had to write that!).
Only when we thought the day had begun, did it end...we were picked up by Roberto (Chobe) Fuentes at 5:00 pm and were escorted back to Guatemala City to meet with our host families for 3 nights.
We are ready and full of energy! Thanks to Emi and Paulo for putting up with all of our wackiness!
PS. Georgio got sunburned! Consequence for refusing to wear sunscreen...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Day 15 Guatemala - San Jose
This morning started off early with a breakfast fundraising event put on by the Puerto Barrios Rotary Club to raise money for a family that sent their son away for a very expensive operation on his leg. The breakfast was at the Hotel Norte - a heritage site of a hotel that is very old.
After breakfast concluded, we travelled to the Bus Station where we said our good-byes to our new friends and looked up at a MASSIVE double-decker bus - our transportation to Guatemala City.
The bus ride was non-eventful - except I learned a few new words while watching the movies in Spanish - it was censored though, so don't worry about me picking up all the offensive language...
After 5 hours, we arrived in Guatemala City where we were picked up by our host Roberto (Chobe) Fuentes. He quickly escorted us to his beautiful house where we met up with the other GSE Team from Connecticut. The new "larger" group of 9 then carried on to a Rotarian's Vacation home on the port of San Jose - located on the Pacific Coast.
The house was GORGEOUS and included a beautiful pool and access to the Pacific Ocean with black sand from the volcanoes. Photos don't do this place justice.
After a ceremonial dance the first evening, where we were praying to God of Sun to ward off the rain that typically accompanies our free days - we ran up and down the beach and settled in to talk to our hosts Paulo and Emi, and the other American GSE Team.
In Mike's words, this trip has now turned into the Rotary version of "Real World" - where you put a bunch of strangers in one big house and see how the social scene all plays out...
Good times were had by all that evening - and no one was voted off the island...
After breakfast concluded, we travelled to the Bus Station where we said our good-byes to our new friends and looked up at a MASSIVE double-decker bus - our transportation to Guatemala City.
The bus ride was non-eventful - except I learned a few new words while watching the movies in Spanish - it was censored though, so don't worry about me picking up all the offensive language...
After 5 hours, we arrived in Guatemala City where we were picked up by our host Roberto (Chobe) Fuentes. He quickly escorted us to his beautiful house where we met up with the other GSE Team from Connecticut. The new "larger" group of 9 then carried on to a Rotarian's Vacation home on the port of San Jose - located on the Pacific Coast.
The house was GORGEOUS and included a beautiful pool and access to the Pacific Ocean with black sand from the volcanoes. Photos don't do this place justice.
After a ceremonial dance the first evening, where we were praying to God of Sun to ward off the rain that typically accompanies our free days - we ran up and down the beach and settled in to talk to our hosts Paulo and Emi, and the other American GSE Team.
In Mike's words, this trip has now turned into the Rotary version of "Real World" - where you put a bunch of strangers in one big house and see how the social scene all plays out...
Good times were had by all that evening - and no one was voted off the island...
Friday, February 6, 2009
Day 14 Guatemala: Puerto Barrios
After listening to the heavy sounds of the rain all night, I questioned if this was truly Guatemala’s dry season. It sure didn’t seem like it…unless it is true that we brought the rain with us from the North in order to make us feel more at home…
We met in the morning with the rest of the group and our guides for the day – Flory Warren (Kathleen’s relative from Guatemala – joking of course), Byron and Lucky, and Flory #2…we were first escorted to a school located in the second port city where the Rotary Club has assisted in building an expansion room for a classroom and provided furnishings for desks, chairs, etc for the children. The Guatemalan Government only pays the teacher’s small salaries, they do not assist in providing funding for the maintenance of the schools or the materials required for teaching. This is all provided by donations or fundraising – so you can imagine in a low-income school, how difficult it would be to just be able to provide the bare necessities for the children (pencils, desks, etc).
We were then taken to the offices of JADE – an organization that works with rural communities to promote sustainable living and tourism. The coordinator was very well-informed of her activities and it was great to see this type of activity being supported.
This brought us to our afternoon…we were interested in seeing Livingstone which is located across the port, because it is the last area in Guatemala that still preserves its Garifuna (Caribe) culture. We were excited to be heading out – until we showed up at the port and saw the massive waves that we would have to cross…we all cursed Georgio (who had the original idea), but stuck to our guns and boarding the boat.
The boat ride took about 45 minutes, and did not disappoint – the boat would crash hard into the waves and toss us all around – but thankfully, no one tossed their cookies, and we made it to dry land… 
The school was immaculate – absolutely beautiful grounds and hiking trails, immersed next to palapa style classrooms and lodgings. The school’s goals is to teach sustainable living and culture to the students, and provided training in different areas – cooking, tourism, and arts, all related back to their Mayan roots. The school gets its electricity by solar panels. It was a magnificent experience. The Rotary Clubs are helping to build an extension onto the existing kitchen and cafeteria, since the student population has exploded in recent years. The school started about 10 years ago with only 10 students, and now has over 600. 
After the school, we were shown a Medical Clinic and a floating (for the river) dental clinic sponsored by Rotary, again, all run off solar panels for environmental sustainability.
After our visit, we headed to Livingstone for some lunch at a restaurant that is run by the students of the school. The food (and drink!) were fabulous! We headed for a short trip into the village, and were sad when we had to go and brave the wild ocean again…but we all made it back to Puerto Barrios in one piece! 
The Pedicure looks Great, the Mosquito Bites do Not...
We met in the morning with the rest of the group and our guides for the day – Flory Warren (Kathleen’s relative from Guatemala – joking of course), Byron and Lucky, and Flory #2…we were first escorted to a school located in the second port city where the Rotary Club has assisted in building an expansion room for a classroom and provided furnishings for desks, chairs, etc for the children. The Guatemalan Government only pays the teacher’s small salaries, they do not assist in providing funding for the maintenance of the schools or the materials required for teaching. This is all provided by donations or fundraising – so you can imagine in a low-income school, how difficult it would be to just be able to provide the bare necessities for the children (pencils, desks, etc).
Meghan at the School with the Children
We were then taken to the offices of JADE – an organization that works with rural communities to promote sustainable living and tourism. The coordinator was very well-informed of her activities and it was great to see this type of activity being supported.
This brought us to our afternoon…we were interested in seeing Livingstone which is located across the port, because it is the last area in Guatemala that still preserves its Garifuna (Caribe) culture. We were excited to be heading out – until we showed up at the port and saw the massive waves that we would have to cross…we all cursed Georgio (who had the original idea), but stuck to our guns and boarding the boat.
The boat ride took about 45 minutes, and did not disappoint – the boat would crash hard into the waves and toss us all around – but thankfully, no one tossed their cookies, and we made it to dry land…
The Famous Boat Ride!
Georgio and I braving the Front of the Boat
Once in Livingstone, we visited a Mayan School that is only be boat access up the Rio Dulce. This school was very unique – only students of Mayan ancestry can join, costing only 150 lbs of corn for a semester. The students are giving room, board and tuition for this fee…
The school was immaculate – absolutely beautiful grounds and hiking trails, immersed next to palapa style classrooms and lodgings. The school’s goals is to teach sustainable living and culture to the students, and provided training in different areas – cooking, tourism, and arts, all related back to their Mayan roots. The school gets its electricity by solar panels. It was a magnificent experience. The Rotary Clubs are helping to build an extension onto the existing kitchen and cafeteria, since the student population has exploded in recent years. The school started about 10 years ago with only 10 students, and now has over 600.
Meghan and I "attempting" to make tortillas - pretty sure these were thrown out...
Boat Access into the School...
After the school, we were shown a Medical Clinic and a floating (for the river) dental clinic sponsored by Rotary, again, all run off solar panels for environmental sustainability.
Georgio and Our Guide in Front of the Clinic with the Solar Panels
After our visit, we headed to Livingstone for some lunch at a restaurant that is run by the students of the school. The food (and drink!) were fabulous! We headed for a short trip into the village, and were sad when we had to go and brave the wild ocean again…but we all made it back to Puerto Barrios in one piece!
My lunch - it went down good...
Pelicans Taking Over a Boat
After our “exhausting” day – us girls all decided to treat ourselves at Flory’s Salon – we indulged and got a great pedicure by her staff. Although my toes look great, I can’t say the mosquito bites on my legs are healing all that well…(and they still itch like crazy!)
The Pedicure looks Great, the Mosquito Bites do Not...What a fabulous day!
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