Guatemala 2012 - Day 3

It was a day set to hike a volcano! Craig has had this on his bucket list of things to do in his life so we decided this was our chance. Part of the group went back to Alejandro's to work and some of us went hiking up the volcano. I woke up feeling a bit under the weather with a sicky feeling stomach but nothing terrible. The ride up to the volcano was not a lot of fun - wowzers, not sure what I was expecting but it was one curvy road and of course I was silly enough to sit in the back. I didn't get sick, but surely could have! I manged to keep everything in me, but I still wasn't great. No excuses, I decided to hike it anyway cuz my hubby wanted to do it so I was too.

Two kiddos selling walking sticks at the bottom of the volcano.

This is what we were in for.

This isn't the one we hiked, but one we could view from it.

Well, I didn't make it to the top. I got over half way and realized either I was going to pass out or I was getting on the horse. I opted for the horse. I thought about this long and hard because I don't like not being able to do something, but I tell you what, I started to panic. My head was pounding and it felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. So it was either cry my eyes out, puke and tip over or get on the horse. It was very out of my character, but the right choice. The horse got me safely to the top and I was able to hang out with everyone up there. I did make it down the thing with no problems, that was cake. :) No, I didn't roll down the hill. We left that up to Jason Shaw, he took a spill and tore himself up pretty good on that lava rock. Ouch!

Myself, Craig and Rebecca! She is an awesome lady!

Our hikers

Craig looking at the cave. It was so warm in there! Man he was happy!

Kyle being king of the world! LOL

This was part of the volcano cave, but it was more of a hole. We all got in it - it felt like a sauna! I could have stayed there for a long time!!

Katie and Kayla brought marshmellows and roasted them at the caves. It was a great idea! How many people can say the roasted marshmellows on a volcano?

This is Edwardo, he was one of the boys that brought the horses up and down the hill. They walk that volcano once or twice a day at least. My goodness, those are some tough cookies. We gave him and one other boy a soccer ball for being such big helpers.
This was on the way back to the hotel. We were following this chicken bus and there was a guy just hanging on the bus. Then the door flew open! We thought for sure something terrible was going to happen, but they all made it safely. Ufta!
When we returned to the hotel, Mindy, Preston, Kyle, Craig and I decided to go for a walk around the gated community. It was interesting to see the different structures and roads that we have not seen before.

This is electric razor wire that these houses have on top of their walls to keep them secure.

Isn't it something just to think that this type of thing would be necessary? Really think about it, where do you see this type of thing in America? The first place I think of is prisons. This is peoples homes.

Some of the beautiful architecture. When people say pictures don't do it justice, they are right.

We had some down time and Kyle made new friends. This man is a huge kid and these three little kids loved him. The older girl, Emily laughed and laughed at him. They really loved looking at his pictures of his daughter and squirting people with a squirt gun!

We had a very powerful devotion that night. Preston Sandstrom did a wonderful job of leading the group. The room was filled with the presence of God and it was something to take part in. I had many thoughts running through my head. When I asked Craig what he thought, he said he was hit with the fact that God loves him as much as he loves Micah, with complete unconditional love. My thoughts were a bit different. I completely felt like that volcano hike was him humbling me and telling me that he can stop me dead in my tracks if that is what it takes for him to get my attention. It was pretty simple, he is in control and turn all worries over to him was the message I received on that hike but it was reiterated at devotions. I sat there saying to myself, "I better listen because he is pretty up in my face about this!" So it was a evening of soul searching and checking your walls at the door and being real with God.

After we concluded, I thing everyone one was on a "God" high and things got a bit nuts. We ended up with 5 guys with a bit cooler head these days. For those of you who are wondering - yes, Craig was the first to go. Gotta love that guy!