Today was our break from this intense week. All of us are emotionally exhausted and are just trying to process what has happened. So much has happened in this short time and I feel like I'm on the edge of something life changing. This experience has changed they way I see parts of the world and how I feel about so many things. Today I got to see a new side of the Guatemalan culture which was the Mayan history. I knew a little about the Mayans but what I learned and saw today was stunning and so informative. The altars and plazas were amazing as they were and all I needed was a little bit of imagination to visualize what they once were. The site we visited was Iximche. Pronouncing that is hard and I had to learn how. It was built in the 1400s and the Spanish conquered it in the mid 1500s. The three generations that lived in Iximche were able to make a great impact on history and culture. we learned why the Mayan calendar was unique and why the numbers mattered. I got to walk through plazas, palaces, and arenas that the royals of the site used to utilize.
One of the most amazing parts of the ruins is the altar which is still used today. The remnants of a sun altar are used to keep the Mayan culture and history alive. Sacrifices of things of all kinds including animals are used. The energy of the altar stopped most of us in our tracks. You could actually feel the presence and we were all conscious of our surroundings, some a little more than others, but the site was powerful. Weirdly enough, well not really it was sacred ground, the videographer that's with us was unable to film while the altar was in the background but as soon as he walked away everything was working beautifully. After having a tour of the ruins and getting to just wander them ourselves we were able to eat lunch outside near the ruins. Some young Guatemalans were playing soccer and some people joined in while the rest of us watched. As I watched a few of the teenagers approached me and tried to talk to me. Since I know like 5 Spanish phrases, all of which are not helpful in a conversation, it was a struggle to communicate. However, I did get the words "you are pretty" out of all of it and so did someone nearby who knew Spanish. It made my day just a bit better and then one of them wanted a photo with me. That was super cute because it's so weird to be asked to be photographed because I'm just an average American, but here being pale, blonde, and blue eyed is super rare so I was an oddity.
The drive to and from the ruins is absolutely breathtaking. I was speechless a few times from the view and tried to utter 'look over there' but was unable to express what was happening. I took sooooo very many photos, especially since one of the volcanoes was smoking. Luckily we had the chance to stop and see the lake and volcanoes from an outlook, Unfortunately it was incredibly foggy so we really couldn't see a whole lot. I still took a ton of photos though. As we drove we got to see Solola, the capital city of this state in Guatemala. It was gorgeous and showed the difference between the poverty we've been around and middle class life here. Then as we pulled into Panajachel some of us got out to wander the city for the last time and get some more quetzals, the currency, out. Some people bought more stuff. And by some I mean me and anyone shopping with me. Then we rode a tuc tuc back to Puente Ubico, what we have to call the river house to anyone not in the river house. I quickly changed into my swimsuit to go jump in the pool since it was a very hot day, our room was a sauna basically, and the pool was a bit chilly. It took me a while to actually get in the water because it was so cold but it was totally worth it. A group of us just sat and hung out in and around the pool until dinner time. Tonight was some curry dish that was AMAZING and I had to have seconds. Most of my meals have been mainly vegetables but tonight was a good food night.
After dinner we had some group time to just process all that's happened and pack up. Valerie did some projective tests with us and everyone was shown the amazingess that is art therapy. Packing is rough. I didn't want to do it and I think the only reason I could is because my brain thinks it's about to start a new adventure to a new place. We technically don't fly out until Sunday but because our flight is at like 12:15 am we are getting shuttled in early before Guatemala city gets crazy and unsafe for driving.
This trip will forever be a part of who I am. I don't want to leave here. This place has been eye opening. I see the world differently and am so excited to take this experience on with me. I for sure will be finding a way to do more mission trips, especially with amazing people like the ones that have been on this trip.
Tomorrow morning we leave the river house at 7:30 am to go by boat to a bed and breakfast for breakfast and then we travel to San Juan to see some natural dying and art galleries. Then we'll take the boat back to Pana and head almost immediately to the airport. I can't believe it's almost over for my time in country, but my work will continue as we work with the rehabilitation center more.
Thank you for following along with me and I'll post all about the next day and traveling as soon as I can.
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