Antigua, Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, may be the most gorgeous and outstandingly preserved colonial city in Latin America. Surrounded by volcanoes and teeming with colorful markets and street orchestras, this cosmopolitan town somehow manages to protect its small town ambiance. Known for its natural beauty, the picturesque cobblestone streets, richly textured ruins and friendly inhabitants quickly work their way into the hearts of visitors and remain there.
We settle into our
casitas overlooked by magnificent flowing gardens surrounded by the impressive Agua, the always smoking Acatenango, and gently flowing Fuego Volcanoes. Home to the finest language academy in Central America, we get oriented to the area and our language curriculum. After being matched with a professor according to skills and learning style, we work together to personally tailor four-hour weekday morning classes. Our classroom extends beyond the school to the streets of Antigua, offering one of the optimum strategies to learn a language. In the afternoons our newly-acquired skills are put to use as we accompany social workers on their daily visits to families in surrounding communities and construct homes and shelters for those in need. We visit with the local children and health organizations, sharing language, culture, stories and hopes for the future.
We explore the natural side of Guatemala’s beauty, investigating the Agua Volcano with its rivers of gently flowing lava roasting marshmallows on the heat that rises up from the black, rocky terrain. Our evenings are filled with music: an introduction to salsa dancing, entertainment by local musicians including members of the world-renowned Buena Vista Social Club, and area concerts. We enjoy the local flavors of Antigua with palate-pleasing traditional dishes, aromas and condiments and delicious, nutritious varied meals.
On the intricate quilted slopes of the volcanoes, we spend time with a native coffee farmer and his family. During this once in a lifetime experience, we learn the history of Guatemala firsthand through their personal account of this complex land and culture. We walk through fields of flowers, traverse plantations of banana crops and coffee beans, and stop on the hillside to make tortillas and guacamole together.
On weekends we travel to Copán National Park in Honduras where we amble through the lush rain forest and explore the Mayan ruins. Visiting underground tunnels and ancient temples, we are transported through time to some of the earliest civilizations in the Americas. We visit Panajachel and Lake Atitlán in the Guatemalan highlands, with awe-inspiring views of San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán — the three volcanoes that surround the magnificent lake and set a dramatic stage for this inspiring area. Climbing into small boats we explore the sparkling lake waters and visit the indigenous communities along the shores. Vibrant explosions of color are visible from afar in their Mayan textiles, crafts and artwork.
From Atitlán, we head to the Chichicastenango Market, surely the most vivid native market in all of the Americas. Weaving through the narrow streets, we see a rainbow of fabrics, beautiful tapestries, livestock, and produce. The vendors represent many of Guatemala’s linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil and Kaqchikel, each selling their wares in a cacophony of colors, dialects, costumes, and smells, all of which storm the senses.
After three weeks of spending time with local families and children, exploring the country’s markets, ancient ruins, and natural wonders and refining our Spanish skills, we are inextricably linked to the country. Inspired, we leave with an extraordinary experience of the heritage, language, people and culture of Guatemala imprinted on our spirit.
