Conquer Tajumulco
This weekend it´s time: together with some people from my language school (PLQ) I will conquer Vulcan Tujumulco, the highest volcano in Central-America.
We will start Saturday morning at 5:30- it takes us 2 hours to get close to the volcano. From there we start our hike: all together we will climb an altitude of 1.200 m. Since the hike will take a few hours we will build up a basis camp closely underneath the top of the mountain. There we will sleep in sleepng backs, no lights, highly likely rain and temperatures around the freezing point. Because of teh rain and not engough firewood it is highly likely we will stay the night in total darkness. At 3:30am we will get up and walk the remaining few 100 meters up all to the top of the volcano (again- in total darkness) to see from there the sunrise!
For weeks now I am exited and, regardless if it is cloudy, rainy or the sun is shining- I can´t wait to see the volcano, challenge myself to the limit and get refunded by one of the most beautiful landscapes possible.
La Escuela de la Montaña
Right after coming back on Sunday afternoon I will get my luggage together and leave Xela for two weeks -up to the Escuela de la Montaña!
That school started as a project from the PLQ a few years ago. The idea is to introduce to the students the rural area of Guatemala and teach them next to Spanish also the lifestyle of the local communities which have been affected mostly by the 36 years of internal armed conflict.
I will stay in the community and share the meals with local families. I am very curious to be out of ´mainstream western society´ and to participate in the rural society in Guatemala. I assume a unique insight and feel honored that those families agreed on sharing their knowledge, culture and habits with me and the other students.
In reality it means not enough food, millions of mosquitoes, high hybridity and thunderstorms every afternoon, no Internet, no electricity after 7 pm , lots of downtime and an incredible unique experience!!!
I feel honored and appreciate the chance to look behind the curtain, I am also afraid of getting an even closer look on the aftermaths of the armed conflict and hope you guys will cross your fingers I am not catching Dengue Fever.
I assume I will be able to find a computer next weekend- until then I will enjoy the silence, nature, culture and beauty rural Guatemala!!
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