June 21, Panajachel

Just a little time to write, and I'll post the photos on Monday, but here's the general update. Thursday was Salsa day, which was fun... all those boys with giant feet, but they were out there doing the 1-2-3-4 salsa steps. Veronica, Landon, Max, Christy and Katie - a lot of the kids were totally into it.
Every morning is beautiful here, and every evening, when we leave class at 7, it is raining. We are getting soggy, and the first round of queeziness has started - the altitude, different food, different activities... Nothing radical yet, but a lot of Pepto Bismal and Gatorade is being consumed.
Friday we had to be at school at 7 am for a ride to the base of Chicobal - a hike up the dormant volcano with the sacred Mayan lake inside. Up to 7,500 ft above sea level, then down 700 steps to the lake. After lunch everyone lined up along the edge of the laguna in total silence for five minutes. Really. It was a moment of awe.
Of course then we had to hike out the 700 steps, and down to the town of San Martin to wait for the bus. But we saw the library Peace by Piece helped build, which was cool.
BUT - coming down the mountain, Sandy slipped and broke her arm. That led to quite an adventure - or misadventure - for Sandy and me in the hospital in Xela, which included me arguing with three doctors in my miserable Spanish, and getting her out of there as fast as I could. As Sandy said, "This is no Martha Jefferson!"
Anyway - another 7am departure and we are in Panajachel on Lake Atitlan, and are leaving soon for the boat to go to Santiago on the other side of the lake. The lake is gorgeous.... Manana to Chichicastenago, and the pre-Colombian market there. It is good to get in a nice hotel, plenty of hot water, a relaxing spot - although we are fairly bombarded with people trying to sell us everything.
Monday - I'll get some photos up - off for the boat!