Tajumulco: Highest point in Central America

Last weekend some volunteers and I went to the department San Marcos to climb the highest peak in Central America.  When we arrived we saw the peak and I thought to myself, "thats not even that high".  Boy was I wrong.  We all slept at a volunteer's house and left early the next morning.  We had our hiking packs filled with warm clothes and lots of food

14,220 feet.  Here we go!

It took us about 3 1/2 hours to get to base camp.  We had two tents but no rain tarps.  Somehow we forgot to check our tents before we made it to the top of the volcano.  We squished four people into a small tent and three in another.  Even though we had some problems it was a great time.  I have never been in that kind of elevation and I think my tent mates will agree I think it made me a little goofy.  We had a fun time in the tent even though we got settled in at 6:30 to wake up real early to continue our trip up.  Of course around 8 it started to rain and most of our stuff got wet.  But we made the best of the situation and enjoyed our time up above the clouds.  We woke up at 3:45 am, put on our headlamps, and left.  We got to the top in time to see the sunrise. I don't know if I have ever been so cold in my entire life.  It was freeeezzzing!  The wind was so strong and ice cold. It felt like we were on top of the world.                 
                                                                                                               
 


Even though it was unbelievably cold, it was a great experience.  We had a great group of volunteers and the views were amazing.  I am going to try and do it again in March or April when its warmer.  Right now I can't imagine climbing it again because I am sore all over, but I think I will. 

"Still Raining, Still Dreaming"

I'm sorry that it has been so long since my last post.  July was probably one of the longest months of my life.  I'm not even really sure where to begin.  So much has happened but at the same time nothing has happened.  I said goodbye to my family in Baja.  It was heartbreaking.  I went back after a few weeks to get the rest of my things and my host dad said that I am part of the family and in late September I will be "tia Margarita".  My host mom was more like a sister and she will be giving birth, to a little boy, on September 27th.  I can't wait to see this little baby!  Guatemalan children are so frickin'cute.

                     This is a picture right before I left.  Me, Hedy, and Gabey.  

So I left Baja and traveled around for about 3 weeks before I landed in my new home:  Aguacatán, Huehuetenango.  It is on the opposite side of the country but I love it.  It is a beautiful town and there are lots of hiking trails.  I have a great site mate, Alicia, who has been helping me through this hard transition.

                                                     Aguacatán
So Alicia and I have 13 new schools.  Right now we are visiting the schools and doing diagnostics of each school...sound familiar?  Yup.  I started all over.  I think I'm okay with it, finally.  We have some really good schools and we have schools that have potential for great projects.  We will be giving our first workshop this month and next.  We will be giving different examples of health lessons they can give to the students (one criteria to certify a school is each teacher has to give two 20 minute health lessons each week) and other fun things!  The school year ends in the middle of October so we will start our secondary projects during the scohol break (oct-jan).  Alicia and I are going to try and start a water project for one of our bigger schools that has only six water faucets for over 600 students. 

Mom, dad, and Em are coming in October and I am sooooo excited!!  We will be going up to Tikal, Antigua, over to Lago Atitlan, and then to the Pacific cost for some sun time.  I can't believe I have already been here for 7 months...and I haven't really done any work.  I think its time that I stop focusing on that and just enjoy living in the now.  Part of the Peace Corps experience is learning how to cope with nothing to do.  It sounds kinda funny and strange, but it is true.  For me, the biggest struggle/opsticle is figuring out what to do with all my free time.  I may be moving again so I will be able to have a roof with a garden, compost pile, hammock, and room to do much more...possibly some chickens?

I love you all and I would love to hear from you!

~Margarita~