A journal of my travels in Guatemala...

Antigua 15th July to 30th July 2004

Well, we made it to Guatemala - more specifically Antigua, about an hour from Guatemala City. I was here about 8 years ago and it´s just as beautiful as I remember (aside from the additions of the rather crude looking Burger King and McDonalds). Antigua is set in the shadow of 3 impressive volcanoes and has been prone to at least 12 earthquakes. After each it has been rebuilt but we´re keeping our fingers crossed that we aren´t unlucky enough to get to see the effects of the 13th! . The cobbled streets and colonial buildings are stunning, with never ending walls. There are a sprinking of imposing doors along the never ending walls that when you catch a glimpse behind them you can see lead to secret gardens and courtyards.

Volcan Pacaya and my Old Boy´s Birthday

To mark the rather auspicious day of the 18th of July (a.k.a Jason´s birthday) we climbed the very active Volcan Pacaya. At 34 I think he had something to prove. After an hour or so trek we reached the volcano´s cone where it became really hard going through the volcanic ash - two steps forward and one step back. Still it was worth the effort since we were treated to views of red hot lava spewing from the crust. I felt particularly chuffed for the sight because when I scaled the same volcano 8 years ago, the weather was so bad we couldn´t see a thing!

And I´m sure Jason won´t admit it but his birthday afternoon was filled with treats such as a massage, manicure and pedicure - you see he´s nothing like the persona he portrays! And for his brithday tea it was off to the English Pub for a Sunday Roast where we met one of our new school mates - Ben! Yes SCHOOL!

Back to School Ixchel Spanish School - (www.ixchelschool.com)

In an attempt not to murder the language anymore we have enrolled in Spanish School. And what a pleasant surprise that they don´t resemble my boring old French lessons at Caistor Grammar.

My maestra (tutor) is Vicky (pronounced Bicky!) and has oodles of patience considering my complete lack of understanding of the difference between reflexive, irregular, regular and changing verbs, prepositions and conjugations ........ Today I learnt some more vocabularly by listening to a CD of Ricardo Someone or Other who is a pop icon in Mexico!

We learn on a one to one level and in a beautiful leafy courtyard. It´s been a great place to meet people and get involved in some activities - today for example I just strutted my stuff to some Salsa! And tomorrow we play football against the tutors!

We are getting so much into the spirit of trying to master Spanish that we are living with a Guatemalan family (who also happen to be the family of the headmaster of the school). There are other students living with us which is nice but meal times tend to consist of the "clever student" of the house correcting all of my mistakes - not too helpful for my confidence! Still, the food is great and the pounds are piling on once more. More salsa and less bear required!

The Children of Hermano Pedro

Since Diabetes UK childrens holiday is having to do without it´s two best volunteers this year we opted to spend a week helping out at Hermano Pedro - a kind of residential home for children and adults with physical and mental handicaps. The first 10 minutes were the worst kind of depressing - 41 children in metal cots all desparate to be "let out". There are only 6 staff to look after the children so their time can only be stretched to feeding and changing them. Once that is done it´s time to start again.

Being a volunteer there has meant that the children get a little bit more than the basic clean, feed and change. A little bit of humanity and fun! We have been able to get to know some of the children really well, and their smiles alone have made the work all worth while! We are really going to miss them.

Location .... Paradise, 30th July - 2nd August 2004

My fondest memories of school trips stretch to The Lincolnshire Show, York Railway Museum and Skegness...

Well, on Friday we rented a minibus and 14 of us headed out on a school trip of a different kind to Lago Atitlan.

After a night in Panajchel with the gang we left the group and retreated by boat to our luxury hotel on Lago Atitlan La Casa Del Mundo, (www.lacasadelmundo.com) .The rough crossing proved to be worth it when we got an eyeful of the view from our room - just out of this world. And the hotel was the perfect place to just kick back and relax ... the only activities we managed were drinking beer, eating, an occasional swim in the lake and a moonlit, wood-fired hot tub! And all for only $30 a night!

The rest of the school group came to visit us on Saturday and Sunday and were green with envy! But they seemed to be having just as good a time at a cross dressing Saturday night Barbecue!

Now onto Honduras for some diving....