Lake Atitlan, Prettiest Place in the World

What I am about to describe is almost impossible to describe with words. Luckily, I have tons of pictures. I may not be able to upload a bunch of pictures until Thursday when I go to a town called, Panajachel with a place where I can get wireless. Internet is not very good at my home, and it quite slow…VERY SLOW. It took us about 2 hours to get to my new home from Antigua. The first hour was a nice drive where I really got to see the lives of people living in poverty in Guatemala. Their homes didn’t even look like it would be a home or fit a family inside. The second half of the drive was like this…one hour up the windiest, curviest, bumpiest road I have ever seen. No joke no exaggeration. I cannot believe we did not pop a tire or break the van we were in. At one point we literally had to drive through a riverbed to get to the other side of the road! We are talking thousands and thousands of feet up this curvy road…with no guardrails. It was the craziest drive of my life. Luckily, I took Dramamine because I get so carsick. But what we found at the top of this drive was well worth it, let me tell you….           

            Although life is VERY different in Guatemala. My new home is much like my home at home. I am very fortunate to get fresh/clean water, warm water, wonderful food, and a nice comfy bed. The absolute best part about my new home is the view. I am currently living on a mountain, overlooking a 12mile long lake, Lake Atitlan, surrounded by 7 beautiful volcanos.  I am also living with some elevation, about 6,200 miles high! The home is built on a 70 acre farm. And yes, I mean farm. They have dogs, goats, chickens, turkeys, cats, parrots, love birds, you name it! This property includes a chapel, home, guest home, school, pool, avocado farm, and coffee farm. Can you believe it? I know I still can’t and I have seen it all. Getting a tour of my new home didn’t take the usual 10 minutes, it took more like two days. There is SO much to see. As a teacher, my heart dropped to the floor when I saw the school. Picture this, the most creative, detailed, and unique school build on a mountain cliff a thousand feet above a giant lake…surrounded by seven volcanos. Built ON a farm with gardens, animals, and a playground. Lets just say I wish I was 5 yrs old again and attending this school. But I guess I will settle with being a teacher at the school instead! This school is just filled with materials, paintings, color, and details that you would never see at a traditional school in the United States. Now, don’t get confused. NOT ALL SCHOOLS IN GUATEMALA ARE LIKE THIS! This is special, they built this school and they created something truly beautiful here. When I am inside of this school, my body literally lights up with excitement. School doesn’t officially start until Jan. 20^th, but we have a lot to prepare for the children.

            The highlight of my day today was going into “town”…and buying a hen! We rode in the tuk tuk, which is also the “school bus” which is this tiny little van with open sides, and only has three wheels. (Wait till you see the picture). This thing looks like it would hold maybe 5 adults. But apparently this school bus actually holds 24 children! They are able to pack in that many children and get them all to school from the nearby towns. Then I was lucky enough to be the one that got to hold this hen on my lap…in the tuk tuk. I also got to hold baby turkeys today. Honestly, so cute!! Quite the adventure let me tell you! For any of you who really know me, some of these things sound so unlike me. Well, get ready, the next three months is going to be filled with things that I have never done or never thought I would do!

            Lastly, I am safe! The family I am living with owns all 70 acres surrounding our home. It is fenced and gated in. I was worried I would not be able to go on a hike or run by myself while I was here…but it is perfectly safe for me to do so within the 70 acres!! This week while my dad is here I am living in the house with my own room. Next week I move into the guest house, which is basically an apartment style living. My own room, bathroom, kitchen, and bed. It will be so nice to have privacy and still know I am safe!