Since my last post, things have been a bit more interesting in Antigua. For one thing, last Saturday, I hiked Volcan de Pacaya, which is just outside of Guatemala City. It was an astoundingly beautiful hike. I went with a tour company because it is easy and cheap (for the ride, the guide, a driver, and entrance to the park, it was around 15 bucks. Can't beat that). I was lucky too because I probably went on the last good weather day that we will have for a while (more updates on weather in a bit). Volcan de Pacaya is special because it is one of only three active volcanoes in Guatemala. In years past, people on hikes could see actual lava. However, in May of 2010, Pacaya erupted, and this eruption was significant enough that the Guatemala City airport had to be shut down for a bit. Since then, there hasn't been any lava, BUT, near the top of the volcano, you can see pockets of steam, kind of like mini saunas. Click here for a link to pictures from my Facebook. For now, here is a preview of some highlights:
The peak of the volcano. It used to look more peak-like until the 2010 eruption. Now there is a crater and a crevice at the top. You can click on any image to make it bigger, too.
Some great views at the top.
See that smoky stuff? That's steam from the lava just underground. It was super cool.
One spot was hot enough that we could roast marshmallows. On a volcano. What the heck?
I took a video as well, just to give you a more panoramic view, as well as a better look at what the steam is like:
Since my trip to Pacaya, pretty much from that afternoon until today, it has rained practically non-stop. There was a tropical storm from the Pacific that decided to linger over Guatemala. I'm used to rain here, but usually it's super clear in the morning and by three it rains off and on into the night. However, Tuesday night I knew something was really wrong when I woke up to the sound of rain pounding on my windows so hard, I thought they might break. That night there were some horrendous landslides in parts of Guatemala, and there continues to be flooding and landslides. I am fine where I am, but it is impossible to travel anywhere (not that I'd want to...). Right now a lot of tourists are getting cozy in Antigua, bunkering down to wait out the rain. Not a bad idea in my book.
To get an idea of how much rain we've had, here's a video I found through Facebook of a river in Jocotenango, just a few blocks and a coffee plantation away from my house. It's absolutely insane:
Although the rain is a bummer (not to mention super cold...the temperatures here aren't too low, probably in the low sixties, but with that much rain, the air is so damp that it's really cold sometimes), it has taken away some distractions, allowing me to focus on my Spanish much more. The beginning of last week, my teacher asked me to explain some theology to her, because I need to practice my Spanish and because she's interested. I gave her some topics that I know a thing or to about, and the one she picked was Mariology. Ever since, I've spent part of my lessons giving her "lessons" in Mariology. Surprisingly, she's been able to understand all the points I've made. So I think that's a good sign, especially since there's a lot of technical stuff involved in Marian theology. The Biblical study of Mary is very intricate; you have to know the significance of some words in Greek and Hebrew, you have to compare multiple passages in different books, Old and New Testament, there's a lot involved. So, what this all boils down to is that it has been quite a challenge for my Spanish, and, simultaneously, excellent practice.
I was talking to a teacher at my school the other day, and I received a bit of encouragement. We were talking in Spanish, of course, and she was like, "I remember when you first got here; you were so timid and couldn't say anything. Now I hear you and I'm like 'Is this the same girl? She speaks plenty.'" Well, that made me feel pretty good, especially since I often have days where I doubt my abilities. When I hear things like that, it gives me a bit of a confidence boost, and I feel like I can talk about anything. So I'm going to hold onto that for a while, and keep studying hard for my last two weeks.
Hope all of you are well and that fall is beautiful in the States right now. I can't say that I don't miss home, but I do know that I will feel the same way about Guatemala when I get back to the US.
Peace to all who read this!
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