Volcanoes!!!

 During December and January we had the opportunity to climb 3 different volcanoes and we have the pictures here to prove it. This first picture is of the hike to Pacaya. For those of you who are current in Guatemalan news, this is the one that erupted in May, killing one reporter, shaking the country and sending ash all over Guatemala City, canceling school and closing roads. The picture above is when we began to cross the lava rock strewn debris fields before coming right up underneath the main cone of the volcano.

 Here we are on top...we got there right at sunset. In the background you can see 3 other Volcanoes; Agua, Acatenango and Fuego. Pacaya, Fuego and Santiaquito are the only 3 active volcanos in Guatemala and we have now seen them all.

 There were some holes where you could look inside and see the fiery core and lava. After looking in this one I thought my face was going to melt off.

 Here Lizzy is standing inside of a "natural sauna" within the volcano. We were only in there for a few seconds, just long enough to take the picture since it was around 140 degrees and very uncomfortable.

 There she is as seen from outside.

 This is the 2nd highest Volcano in Guatemala. It borders Mexico and is named Tacana. This was our view as we started our hike up the tallest volcano in Central America, Tajamulco (4220 meters)

 The top of the volcano can be seen near the top right of the photo. This was just the beginning of the hike.

 Some minor scrambling was required.

 Then the clouds rolled in.

 Here we are nearing the top and exhausted.

 The final stretch was very steap and rocky.

 When we arrived at the top there were some 50 mayan men and women coming down in flip flops and sandals, carrying babies on their backs...just when we were starting to feel like hot stuff we were reminded who the truly hardy people in this country really are.

 We made it to the top and this is a view into the dormant crater.

It was a pretty sweet hike...one we won't be repeating anytime soon.

January Events in Chivarreto

 This month we have been trying to do more activities with the family we live with and since they had been asking us for a few months when we were going to make pizza with them, we finally broke down and did it. Pictured from left are Melissa, Tilo, Brian and Carmen. They are making the dough.

 After we made the dough, Brian was very insistent on being the sauce guy and took his job very seriously, cracking up his mom Lydia and everyone else in the kitchen.

 Adding the final touches/toppings to the pizza.

 At one point Brian thought it would be more interesting in the fridge.

 Shortly after our Pizza night, we made cupcakes with the kids for their mom Lydia's birthday.

 The kids were very big fans.

 Brian was a little wary of Lizzy's advances on his cupcake.

 The town fair also took place during January and was celebrated in front of the Catholic church presently under construction in our town.

 They paraded the effigy of "Christo Negro" or black Jesus in front of the church for a while while lighting of fireworks and firecrackers. This is a smaller version of the famous Christo Negro in Esquiplas (?) Guatemala.

 As soon as the procession ended the costumed dancers came out onto the scene and danced for the next 3 hours.

 They had all sorts of routines and choreographed numbers.

 The character in the middle is supposed to be President Colom...and he was one of the best dancers.

 Fair Food!!! There was lots of fried chicken, french fries and mayonnaise based salads served on tortillas.

 

Here is the walkway down to the mainstage where they had an incredible band that played from 2 until midnight. It was a very festive time.

  

Trev and Eileen came to town!!!

Trev and Eileen came out to visit us for two weeks in December and January and we had an amazing time with them. Thanks again for coming. The pictures tell the story.

We went to the lake with them and hiked through the village of Santa Cruz.

For New Years we were in my training community of Sumpango. It was insane. These are frames wired with fireworks that men would strap to their backs. They would then run through the streets spraying fire into the crowds.

These men were in charge of safety that night and ran next to the men fanning them with blankets so they wouldn't get burnt by the sparks. The virgin of guadelupe was on hand as well making sure that no one got hurt...which was the true miracle of the night.

               


                                          
 We did make it to Honduras on our trip and visited the Copan Ruinas site. It was very impressive and boasts the most well preserved carvings of all mayan sites. Below is pizza...not the best.

They also had macaws flying around here. More than one almost whacked me in the face with their wings. They are fairly careless fliers.

We saw this coral snake on one of the ruins. Below is the crown jewel of the site. The staircase with the longest inscription of all mayan carvings. It tells all about mayan history and is still not entirely deciphered.

From Honduras we went to Livingston in Guatemala right on the Caribbean Sea. We hiked through the jungle to some swimming holes called the Seven Altars.

And here we are enjoying the beach at Playa Blanca.

From Livingston we went up the Rio Dulce and stayed in the jungle in these huts.

And we celebrated Lizzy's birthday here; kayaking, hiking through caves, soaking in hot springs and swinging on a rope swing.

Trevor and Eileen also visited our town and were able to play soccer with some of our friends and hike the famous letters of Chivarreto.