Sonrisas and Semuc Champey

Today is the first day in a long time that I have no obligations or activities, so I finally have time to write down my experiences of the last weeks. And as you're used to, it's a lot, so for now I'll restrict myself to the weekends from 3 and 2 weeks ago, I'll post the story of last weekend in a few days or so. I recommend you read this story while looking at the pictures I posted on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9377&id=226700492&l=5864901669

Sonrisas
On Saturday the 18th of July we were invited by our fellow AIESEC trainees who work as volunteer for a kind of NGO that helps the poor people in Guatemala. Every Saturday they go to the central graveyard (very big, there was a small orchestra playing near the entrance and you can enter by car) to do some activities with the children of the employees of the graveyard. The plan for us for this Saturday was to present our own countries (Peru, USA, Argentina, Brazil and Holland) to the children and let them experience a bit of the culture. It was really nice to see how much the children enjoyed our attention and our stories about our countries. The only thing they didn't appreciate that much was the liquorice (drop) I brought for them, I could see that from how much there was lying on the ground afterwards, but I hope they at least appreciated the gesture. Then we left the children to go our own way and we took a small tour over the graveyard and saw one huge grave in the shape of a pyramid. The houses of the children we had met were opposite to this grave (yes, they live on the graveyard) and it was pretty shocking to realise that at least 5 of those houses would fit in the big grave... but fortunately there organisations like Sonrisas who at least care about these poor people and we were happy that we could lend a hand.

Afterwards we had lunch/dinner, watched a movie and went bowling to finish the day.


Trip to Semuc Champey
On Saturday the 25th of July we gathered in the MC house (the AIESEC-owned house around the corner from my house, a 30 second walk) at 3:15 in the morning. There it turned out that I was the one that had slept the most, 4 hours. We went to the bus station in the back of two pick ups to leave for Cobán. About 4 hours later we arrived in Cobán (about 190 kilometers as the crow flies ("hemelsbreed")), and fortunately the bus felt a lot safer this time and we could even sleep (but maybe that's not too difficult after a night of only 4 hours). Once arrived in Cobán we had to find our hotel, which was the first adventure of the weekend, because the people of Cobán sent us from side to side, but in the end we found it, changed (to wear swimming pants) and left our stuff only to get in the next bus to go to Semuc Champey. After a trip of 2.5 hours we arrived in Semuc Champey. The trip was pretty difficult, because the sandy roads went over steep hills and we only had a van, no 4WD. By now you're probably wondering what Semuc Champey actually is.. Well, it is supposedly the most beautiful place of Guatemala and consists of an open place in the forest with waterfalls, natural swimming pools and an amazing view. After swimming and enjoying the view for an hour and a half, we left when it started raining. And that was pretty bad news, because as the Lonely Planet already had warned us, the roads around Semuc Champey get really bad after a shower, and that turned out to be true. The first time we got stuck it was not too difficult to pull the van, but the second time it took a long time (maybe half an hour even, don't remember exactly). In the end we got help from the people from two other vans (we were about 30 people) and it finally moved, but with a lot of effort and about 10 more minutes. On the way to Cobán we stopped to visit a cave like the ones in France, with stalagmites and stalactites, but not as impressive as the French ones, but I seemed the only one who was a little disappointed, so I guess it was quite nice after all. When we left the cave it had gotten dark and we could see the bats leaving the cave and flying around in front of it. Then at night we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant and went to sleep without having gone out (the first time on a trip here).

The next day we had breakfast and decided to go the cave "Rey Marcos". Even though we found out the previous day that the van driver had no idea what he was doing (he was badly prepared for situations like the one we got stuck in and didn't know how to get out of it), we went with the same driver on another trip, which was not as bad as the previous day, fortunately. Once arrived we were welcomed by a very enthusiastic man who told us how great and adventurous the tour through the cave would be. We also got a helmet and boots, because the ceiling would be pretty low in some areas and the water could get very high. Climbing into cave was indeed very exciting and we did need the helmet and the boots, but after a 15 minute walk we found ourselves at the end of the cave already, so that was a little disappointing, but still, it was very cool. Then we went out and to the waterfalls next to the caves. And in my opinion, it was even better than Semuc Champey, it was not as big, but it looked nicer, especially because it was completely surrounded by exotic plants and trees and we could go much farther upstream. Some of us went into the water and climbed through the small waterfalls, I went around the water and took some pictures. After having enjoyed the water and the view for another hour we had to return, because our bus to Guate would leave from Cobán at 3 o'clock. We arrived after another ride of 4.5 hours and this time we could enjoy the view, because it was easier to stay awake now.

Ok, that should be enough for now, I'll give you a break and then you can continue reading about my life tomorrow or so.

Saludos de Guatemala!