Lake Atitlan and village experienc

Today we hit the road about 7:00 AM for a 3+ bus ride to Lake Atitlan.  It is the deepest lake Central American and is about 340 meters (1000+ feet) at its deepest. It is surrounded by volcano's and very rich with Mayan culture. We traveled across the lake on a boat. It was not a speed boat by any means, but it did its job and did it well because we arrived safety on the other side and back!

Craig and I - Lake Atitlan 2013

 Our Boat - the Victoria

 Chad, Dennis, Dean and Dan enjoying the ride!

 McKenna enjoying time with her cousin Jared (LJ)

 Two beautiful women, Bindy and Lorie. 

 Hannah and Annicka enjoying their time together.  It has been amazing to witness these kids and their burning hearts to give to others.  I am so proud of them all and thankful to be on the trip with them.

 Hotel Helen!  Gotta love signs from above! Thank you Grandma Helen! 

 So first we went to a village, San Padro, La Laguna and upon our arrival we quickly realized we wouldn't be walking the village.  I have some video of this that I will post at a later time, but it was a lot of fun!  We had two pickups and this is how we moved from one place to another.

This one of the roads we went down.  The picture doesn't do it justice!

 We stopped at a local tribute to John the Baptist.  Very pretty had a great state to memorize his importance to their culture.  Bindy informed us that the baptist and Mayans were at odds due to a variety of differences in beliefs. They are very strong in their heritage beliefs and are currently fighting to keep this in tact.  She said many of these murals and such are done to remind them of their heritage on a day to day basis.

 Do you see the face? I didn't see it at first either. It is pretty cool!  I do not remember all the details and name of this, but I do now that it was a promise that he would always be there and watching them. 

These little kids were in the market hanging out where you walked to go to the bathroom.  Happiest, smiling kids and oh they got a giggle out of seeing themselves on the camera after we snapped a photo!

An old church

Can you do that?

Our Restaurant.  It was a good and had a fabulous banana smoothie!  

Santiago St. James was our next stop.  I love all the history and culture they have here.  Of course the poverty and such doesn't go unnoticed, but I admire the heritage the Guatemalan people keep.  It is admirable and we can learn from them if we take the time to reflect. 

Bindy hard at work!

Then it was time to head back across the boat!  Hannah and Mindi had a great time hanging out!

The Warren's!  I think Marty bought out the entire village! What a giving soul! I think he is a little confused and thinks we are in Jamaica! :)

Dennis sporting his new hat!

Bindy and I - she is a beauty inside and out!

Breath taking sunset!  

Little boys at the dock.  They were playing cars! 

We had a very long day today. We didn't get back to eat supper until almost 10:00 PM.  Ufta, Today was a great day over all. We simply took the opportunity to see the world inside of Guatemala.  For me personally, this is important to do because it makes me think deeper than I normally would.  I can't get over the fact that they set up their "store" every day, so that means they haul their goods from their home to their store, every single day.  It makes me wonder how they survive.  They have tons of stores and for the most part they all sell the same stuff. I am pondering this reality and I haven't quite wrapped my head around it all.  I will continue to reflect on this day for a long time and as I do, I will share.  As for now, I am going to bed, I am starting to ramble.

Ta Ta for now! Tomorrow - ORPHANAGE!