Feliz Neuvo Anos....! | Travel Pod | 01.28.07 | Blog
Happy New Year!! 2007 already! And the blog is behind, so a rapid and hopefully brief update! Photos will follow soon!
After recovering from Chistmas excesses i did a flying day trip in a tiny plane to the North of Guatemala to visit Mayan ruins called Tikal. Lots of precarious temples to climb built about 800BC and views of the jungle and monkeys made for a great day. Usual lack of health and safety rickety ladders and no barriers made it very interesting but the views were always worth it. Also made friends with a family who are living in Guatemala city, the father is a diplomat at the US embassy, a useful connection and lovely people to spend a day with.... Read Full Story | travelpod.com
Feliz Año | Travel Pod | 01.28.07 | Blog
Feliz año to all of you!
I reluctantly left Lago de Atitlan on Friday morning. I see why so many people never leave...it's an addicting place! I moved back to Antigua and got a hotel with my friend from the first week of school.
On Saturday, took a cooking class and learned how to make tortillas, guatemalan enchiladas (very different than the mexican variety), chuchitos, and bunuelos. Very fun and delicious! ... Read Full Story | travelpod.com
Doing God's Work in Guatemala | ABC News | 01.28.07 | News
I have just returned from an amazing journey into the heart of the ancient Mayan civilization — a weeklong odyssey to Guatemala.
But beyond the breathtaking ruins of Tikal and Chichicastenango, my most memorable visit was to a sprawling complex — a beautiful mansion — nestled in the old provincial capital of Antigua. It is home to an organization called the God's Child Project, an award-winning international charity and one of Central America's largest and most comprehensive health, education and human rights protection services... Read Full Story | abcnews.go.com
Antigua | Travel Pod | 01.28.07 | Blog
We flew from Quito to Guatemala City then jumped straight into a shuttle heading for Antigua, about an hour away. After our first night in Central America we explored the beautiful town of Antigua which is surrounded by three volcanoes. Cobbled streets, multi-coloured historic buildings and a lovely central park make this a special place. After lunch we got in the van for our tour to Volcan Pacaya.
Volcan Pacaya (2552m) is the only active volcano near Antigua... Read Full Story | travelpod.com
Fourth Country | Blogger | 01.28.07 | Blog
Ben and I have crossed the border and are now in Guatemala. Suddenly, everyone speaks Spanish instead of English and tequila has replaced rum as the local tipple of choice. Unfortunately some things haven't changed; our lower digestive systems remain deeply unsettled, and the often torrential rain continues to fall (so much for my Caribbean tan!). However, the standard of accommodation has improved and the Guatemalans are all pretty friendly.... Read Full Story | ihatetravelling.blogspot.com
volcanos and tippy boats | TypePad | 01.28.07 | Blog
I spent yesterday morning lazing around and then shopping at one of Antigua's weekly markets. At two I set out on a trip to Pacaya, and active volcano about two hours from Antigua. The deal was to climb into the sunset and see the lava at night. The bus was rather lame, but once we arrived at the start of the hike things began to pick up. We were greeted by a mob of kids yelling 'stick!'. I snapped a photo of someone snapping a photo of other touristas with the stick-kids.... Read Full Story | nathaniel.typepad.com
WOW-temala | Blogger | 01.28.07 | Blog
Largo de Atitlan, took my breath away in more ways than I expected. With a gang of backpackers from Luna Azul, we kayaked through hell to reach San Marcos, destination 30ft cliff. The boys jumped no problems, but being the sucker for punishment that I am, I waited and waited until a jump was forced by countdown. All was well until I hit the water, 30ft down, arse first. I couldn’t feel my legs for a few minutes, and now have the most awesome bruises ever. Thanks ´Haps´ for the encouragement!... Read Full Story | viajesdealexumbers.blogspot.com
Welcome to Guatemala | Travel Blog | 01.28.07 | Blog
Largo de Atitlan, took my breath away in more ways than I expected. With a gang of backpackers from Luna Azul, we kayaked through hell to reach San Marcos, destination 30ft cliff. The boys jumped no problems, but being the sucker for punishment that I am, I waited and waited until a jump was forced by countdown. All was well until I hit the water, 30ft down, arse first. I couldn’t feel my legs for a few minutes, and now have the most awesome bruises ever. Thanks ´Haps´ for the encouragement!... Read Full Story | travelblog.com
Teaching and crazy celebrations! | Travel Pod | 01.03.07 | Blog
Hola, Buenas Tardes, o yea lovely spanish! Sadly that is still about the limit of it! Just finished my second day of teaching on my own in spanish. Phew! Both days went well but my morning class were crazy today. The boys wouldnt stop hitting each other and they were all determind to learn nothing, which Im pretty sure they managed to do. Still they have a spelling test tomorrow, I tried very hard to scare them with chat about an examination tomorrow but they were not impressed at all in the morning class! Think i got the afternoon class a little scared...!... Read Full Story | travelpod.com
"Apocalypto" Tortures the Facts, Expert Says | National Geographic | 01.03.07 | News
Though it gave rise to awe-inspiring architecture and surprisingly advanced science, the Maya civilization—which thrived in what are now Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras—began declining around A.D. 800 (map of Central and North America).
Archaeological evidence points to a multitude of factors that could have led to this decline, including internecine warfare, the loss of trade routes, drought, and disease.
But before the fall, the Maya ruled the region from seats of power in dozens of cities. It is this so-called Classic period [A.D. 250 to 900], and especially its end, that the film most resembles, though no date is specified in Apocalypto... Read Full Story | nationalgeographic.com
International Adoption and Guatemala | Article Online | 01.03.07 | Article
Guatemala is one of the most controversial subjects in the world of International Adoption today. Not wishing to add further to the controversy, it is just that adopting a child from Guatemala today can be a little tricky unless you know what you are doing.
International Adoption is not easy, especially when there is a language barrier. Add to that the fact that you are about to enter an area where the entire world of Adoption is treated like an unofficial major industry and you can perhaps begin to imagine where potential problems might arise... Read Full Story | virtualarticle.com
Did that really just happen??? | Blogger | 01.03.07 | Blog
I have lately been having these moments that have been extremely strange and well it is true that while in Peace Corps you have Surreal and Real moments. Let me share with you some examples of both.
Like the other day I bought a TV (which was an early Christmas present from MOM and DAD. Thank you both so much.) what was real was that I was about to get cable in my little house. What was surreal was how the cable guys climbed a pole, threw the cable through my window, and had it done in seconds. There is currently TV cable draped throughout the trees in my yard... Read Full Story | drewskiguatemala.blogspot.com
Trip to The God's Child Project, Guatemala | Blogger | 01.03.07 | Blog
The volunteer crew, including my family members, at the building site in Guatemala, taking a break. Note the small "footprint" of the house to be built and the condition of the existing home.
Clothing distribution, Guatemala. Donated clothing is shipped from N.D. to be distributed to needy families.... Read Full Story | proclaimingsoftly.blogspot.com
'Apocalypto' is an insult to Maya culture, one expert says | Austin360 | 01.03.07 | News
As we stagger out of a sneak peek of Mel Gibson's Maya historical thriller "Apocalypto," Julia Guernsey is visibly shaken. She's upset and not a little angry. She barely can contain her disgust, but she also can barely speak. I'm a little worried.
Guernsey is an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Texas. Given her emphasis on pre-Columbian Mesoamerican art and culture, we invited Guernsey along to the preview last week so she could illuminate where Gibson got his history right and where he got it wrong.
The upshot: Boy, did he ever get it wrong.
Caution: The following interview with Guernsey contains spoilers.
Austin American-Statesman: You looked truly disturbed after the movie... Read Full Story | austin360.com
