Collegiate @ Guatemala, Summer 2010

Reflection Paper

by Hayley, 2011

I embarked on a life changing trip to Guatemala, with 16 classmates from Collegiate and Sra. Sharlin, Mrs. Bilderback and Mr. Davies. We arrived to Guatemala City on the fifth of June last summer. Immediately we traveled to our first destination Antigua Guatemala. Antigua is a colonial city, with streets built in a shape that resembles a grid. I shared a room with two of my classmates Amanda and Taylor. Although I had seen both of them often in passing, I wasn't aware that this trip would seal a lifelong friendship between not only us, but the group as a whole.

The first day, we met out tour guide "Tio" Chris, who showed us around the city. He pointed out places we should consider visiting or touring during our free time. We had plenty of freedom and time to visit whatever destination we wanted in Antigua. After lunch, my roommates and I were escorted to the house we would be staying. Our host was a sweet and kind woman named Esfalda. She prepared three meals for us every day. That night, after diner, our group agreed to meet at the central park, where we enjoyed ice cream and coffee at the local Café Barista. After learning something new about each person on the trip, we returned to our houses eager for the days ahead of us.

     The next morning, on Monday, we woke early and boarded a bus for El Cedin (a preschool for economically marginal children in the area). We spent the next four mornings painting, building, and working hands on with the children. I will never forget their beautiful, happy faces.  Directly after each working morning, we would return to our host families and enjoy an authentic Antigua lunch, and rest up for our one on one Spanish tutoring session in the afternoon.

      I began this trip, uncomfortable with my Spanish abilities and terrified to speak Spanish with anyone. However, my tutor, Evelyn, was a young 26 year old who could easily relate to me. She discovered that my Spanish was best spoken during a game of Uno, and played with me for hours. After five lessons of speaking one on one for four hours, I not only became confident with my Spanish but also gained a friend. She taught me about their culture in Antigua and I shared many stories about the U.S. and what it was like to live here.

      After a fun and productive week, we left Antigua on that Sunday and headed to Finca Santa Anita, an organic coffee farm run by ex-guerillas. There we were able to experience the lives of truly self-made men, and discovered how they were able to create a successful living off nothing but a plot of forested land. We packaged the toothbrushes and toothpaste we brought for the families, and then hiked down to a beautiful waterfall where we swam.

      Our final destination was Lake Atitlan, to a little picturesque town named San Juan La Laguna. You couldn't dream of a more beautiful place! Volcanoes and mountains surrounded the serene area, and our eco-friendly hotel looked as if it was built right into the mountain. We shopped, swam, played volleyball, hiked, and drank coffee during our leisure time, and also managed to incorporate painting an entire school during our visit. Although Paris Hilton had visited the lake and did "charity work," our group made a lasting impression on the thankful students of that school. On our final day we had celebrations for Dane’s 18^th birthday. We finished our visit to the lakes with an authentic Guatemalan meal, fireworks and a giant piñata, birthday cake, and dancing with the San Juan youth.

      Although I regretted the final day that our group was together, I knew it was time to return home. Once I exited the plane, I recounted all the once in a lifetime experiences our group endured as well as the relationships we formed. To this day I can gladly say I can count on anyone from that trip if I were in need of their help, or to simply recall the trip that changed all of our lives.