Heading to Santiago, Atitlan Saturday February 18, 2017

By bus and boat, quite the adventure! Note, Hoppy our class frog, (rana), on the bus!

Antigua

A beautiful place full of history, warm and friendly people and surrounded by three volcanoes. Fuego is active at the moment.  There are many beautiful churches, convents etc. some of which have been converted to hotels.  Antigua is a mix of old and new.  Guatemalan women and children can be seen wearing their native clothing. Skirts and embroidered tops with their village design. A lot of tourists mixed in creates a balance. I hope it can maintain its culture while providing a living for its residents.  Next stop is Santiago, Atitlan.  We are taking a bus to Pana, then a boat across the lake to Santiago.  We will be dropped off at the dock of  our hotel Bambu.  Adios for now

 

 

 

 

 

Tuk Tuk.

One of many beautiful churches, convents and monasteries in Antigua.

 

Traditional dress.

What do you see in the tree?

Stray dogs are everywhere.

chicken bus

 



 Outdoor space to do wash clothes.

Rush hour Antigua style.

 

Day 1: Boston to Atlanta February 16, 2017

We had a very early start on our journey to Guatemala. It was a snowy drive to Logan but we finally made it!! It was busy.  We got checked in, and after they de-iced the plane we were good to go.  At this time we are waiting for the next leg to Guatemala city.  Adios!!  Arrived in Guatemala City and shuttle picked us up.  It is one busy city.

 

 

 

 

 

chicken bus



On route to our hotel with our driver Perfecto.

 



Antigua Guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala's former capital is a place of rare beauty, a vibrant culture and a historical city. It is surrounded by indigenous communities, coffee plantations and volcanoes.  There are three volcanoes: Agua (3766m), Fuego (37630m), and Acatenango (3976m).  Antigua was designated an Unesco World Heritage Site in 1979.  There has been a type of cultural renaissance in the creation of several Spanish-language schools which attracts many foreign students.   Despite earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, past neglect, and evacuations Antigua it has emerged as a bustling city due to the inherent pride of its inhabitants.

LAKE ATITLAN, SANTIAGO

La Puerta Abierta / Library and Learning Center, Santiago Atitlan,

Here is the link to the school we will be visiting and working at while in Santiago.


https://atitlanabierta.com

Guatemala, February 2017

As many of you may know our school has developed an ongoing relationship with LA Puerta Abierta, a small early childhood program in Guatemala.  We were very fortunate to have Juanita, a teacher at the school, spend several days with us last Winter working in the classrooms and exchanging curriculum ideas.  In addition, we help support La Puerta Abierta by selling the beautiful finger puppets and handmade items created by the mothers to raise operating funds for the school.
Now it is time for us to visit them.  Carole and Pauline will travel to Guatemala in February.  They will work directly with the children and teachers, sharing our schools philosophy, curriculum ideas and culture.  Amanda the founder of La Puerta Abierta visited our school in December where we were able to learn about each others programs and discuss plans for our trip.
We look forward to sharing this journey with you all.