Another day away from Guatemala City...

Today dawns sunny and bright in Antigua, but a cloud of brutal violence hangs over capital Guatemala City.  Last night we learned of several more bus drivers and passengers being shot and killed in the capital, and the project directors decided for the second day to keep our service team away from Safe Passage.  I am disappointed in this decision since my reason for traveling to Guatemala was to serve others.  I also understand and appreciate the need to keep everyone safe.  It appears that some of the Guatemalan staff will be traveling to the project in order that children receive food and services.  Without Safe Passage, many of them do not eat.  I am hopeful we will return to Guatemala City tomorrow (Friday).  We will do volunteer work here in the Antigua Safe Passage office--I am slated to translate some documents which will be interesting and I hope helpful.  In the afternoon we are slated to take a tour of historic landmarks in Antigua.

As I mentioned earlier, we hiked the active volcano Pacaya yesterday afternoon.  What an incredible experience!  After driving for about an hour, our shuttle dropped us at the base of the mountain.  Several of us bought walking sticks from a group of young boys who swarmed around as we stepped from the shuttle. Our guide Carlos was knowledgeable and helpful, and we started up the mountain with the idea that it would be a 'modest hike.'  

After about 45 minutes of hiking on dusty wooded trails, we emerged onto what can only be described as a moonscape.  Black volcanic sand and rock stretched before us, split by a narrow walking trail that nonetheless accommodated not only hikers but also riders on horseback. 

We dashed down a short slope of sand, the sensation much like skiing in deep powder, without the cold.  Beyond this we began a slow ascent to the peak, scrambling and sliding and trying not to get cut on the sharp lava rocks or collide with the other groups of hikers and horses ascending and descending the trail.  Some in our group stopped short of the summit; those of us who pushed on saw pockets of slow-moving lava, red-hot against the black surrounding rock.  We intended to roast marshmallows in the lava, but as we approached we were told that in a short time the lava would be flowing down toward us and that it would be unsafe.  A European tourist did roast marshmallows, but I was content to take a few photos and head down to meet the rest of our group since the sun was setting and a thick, wet cloud cover had blanketed the mountain.

We descended in total darkness, thankful for our headlamps and flashlights and hungry and tired from the hours of hiking.  I was exhilarated by the experience, however.  We had the privilege of observing the power of nature up close, of hiking into the clouds and returning to earth at the end of the day.  This experience was a rare treat and one I won't soon forget.

As we walked into the tiny village that clings to Pacaya's base, a group of small children ran towards us.  I recognized the boys who had sold us walking sticks.  Without saying a word, they grabbed the sticks from our hands and turned a darted into the darkness.  I guess we had only rented these sticks, not purchased them!  This was evidence for me of the creativity born of economic necessity  in a country where young children must work to support their families and to feed themselves.  As I dragged my tired body into the shuttle bus, I wondered if these boys were among the roughly 80% of Guatemalans who would never graduate from elementary school.  Sadly, I think I know the answer.

In a few minutes I am off to the Safe Passage local office to translate documents.  This afternoon, after the tour, I will upload the volcano photos as well as some from the tour today.

Note: I am having some technical difficulty with moderating the comments on this blog.  I have received some emails stating that not everyone can see all of the comments.  If you are among these I apologize; I will try to work on a solution this afternoon.

Best regards.

DS