I'm still here in San Juan La Laguna and I'm getting to see more and more each day how good we really have it back home. So many of us take things for granted, but being here has opened my eyes and made me thankful for what I have and also motivated to help out where I can. I can't put into words the hardships that I am witnessing. The town of San Juan is a lot better off than some of it's neighboring communities. Each day during driver training, I pass through all of the towns surrounding San Juan. The [View Full Entry]

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Hello again, I'm back at Lake Atitlan but this time I'm getting a different look at things. For those of you that aren't aware, there were devastating mudslides at the lake this past year due to torrential rainfall caused by Hurricane Stan. Hundreds of people lost their lives and many lost theirs homes and crops. A lot of different groups are here at the lake providing resources and help. I have been introduced to a few of them and will help out where I can. On Saturday, I caught a boat with Joann (my connection here at the lake) over [View Full Entry]

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Instead of backtracking the same route I took to get here, I have decided to join my Israeli buddy Philip on his journey through the Western Highlands. Little did we know, the road that carves it's way through the mountains to the west of Coban is made of dirt, gravel and full of curves. We both arose early (5:30am) and got to Coban 5 hours before the shuttle actually left for the west. We used this time to run errands and to take an hour tour of a local coffee manufacturing company (Finca Santa Margarita). The only tour that we could [View Full Entry]

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Well, there's been a change in plans. I spoke with Joann Dwyer Sunday evening after arriving in Panajachel and she informed me that the work in Chi Chi had been cancelled and that she would not have anything for me to do until Saturday. I was left with an entire week to find something to do, so I decided to head North to Semuc Champey to enjoy it's emerald pools, waterfalls and caves. The next morning I took off in a shuttle at 6am toward Guatemala City. I made it there just in time to catch the 10am bus to [View Full Entry]

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On Wednesday after class, I caught a boat across the lake to Panajachel to meet up with one of my father’s best friends Woody Woodson. Woody started a non-profit organization called Vine International, which does mission work in Guatemala. Vine International sets up transportation, warehouses, and distributes medical supplies to missionaries, clinics and orphanages throughout Guatemala. The organization’s work does not stop there, but this is it’s primary focus. This particular mission trip consisted of Vine International and W [View Full Entry]

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OK, let me catch everyone up on what's going down in San Pedro. Sunday afternoon two guys from Australia showed up to take classes at Mayab´ Spanish School. One of the guys (Peter) is staying at the Puac household with me and his buddy Tom is staying two doors down. Peter and Tom had met a couple from Switzerland during their travels and they are all surfing their way down the West coast. Monday night was Peter's 21st Birthday so everyone went out to celebrate. Monday night Elena prepared dinner early so we could get the night started. We all met [View Full Entry]

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Hello again everyone! It was good to hear from a lot of you after my last posting. As for the question some had of my health, well, I must say I feel great. The cold is slowly wearing off, but there is still an abnormal amount of mucus present. I also wanted to note that all of the detailed bits of information, such as people's names, prices, distances, etc., are mainly for my future benefit, so bare with me. With that said, let's continue. After a week of living lake side, I finally decided to take on the volcano that looms [View Full Entry]

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Hola, I 've been in San Pedro La Laguna for a almost a week now and life is good...well, except for the cold and a recent onset of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). My body has gone into shock from the sudden change in weather, sleep, foliage, and normal diet. I can't complain though, I'm staying on one the most beautiful lakes in the world. So far, I've been living with a local Guatemalan family and studying Spanish at The Mayab´Esquela de Español. The Puac family is great. The family consists of the following: Father - Juan, Mother - Elena, Grandmother - [View Full Entry]

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Well, I spent another hellacious night listening to wild dogs and demon possessed roosters carrying on outside of my room. From this point forward, I'll be wearing my headset or some ear plugs. Oh yeah, if my spelling is off it's because there's no spell check here...it's all in español. Sleep deprived and now with a cold coming on, I bartered a boat ride to Santa Cruz La Laguna for 20 quetzals. On the ride over I met a man (James) who was an acupuncturist in Pana, and he just so happened to be good friends with the owner of La [View Full Entry]

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Hello Everyone! I made it to Guatemala with no problems and the immersion process is now in full effect. My first day in Central America was very long with a big dose of excitement and culture shock all thrown together. I started the day off at 3:30am with only two hours of sleep due to anticipation and a late night call from my buddy Tam (appreciate it). The first leg to Miami was great. The guy sitting beside me on the plane was a 17 year old kid from Chile. His name was Jose Antonio Droso Merino Kypreos aka Pepe (No [View Full Entry]

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