Antigua is a beautiful, small city surrounded by volcanoes in southern Guatemala. It’s renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings, many of them restored following a 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua’s 200-year reign as Guatemala’s colonial capital. Antigua is also well known for their cobbled streets and their surreal volcano hikes.
I was thankful I arrived a day early because I met a group of young travelers and locals when I stayed in a hostel Saturday. I moved in with my host family on the Southeast side of town across from the San Francisco Church on Sunday.
My homestay includes 3 meals a day Monday-Friday and a private room for only $13 a day. The family has 4 sons, of which 2 live in the house. Sadly, the father of the family passed away on Tuesday, May 23rd in Guatemala City due to heart problems. It was a sombering experience. One thing I have always noticed while traveling is that emotions are universal.
Their home is located 1 mile north of the Fundación de Familias Esperanza (Common Hope) where I volunteer. It is a 20 minute walk each way to the foundation. There is a bus available for Q1.50, which is the equivalent to $0.20. However the walk is so beautiful I prefer it to the crowded, rusty old school bus. The backdrop of my morning walk is the Agua Volcano, which may or may not be visible depending on the clouds. During the walk, I pass by the La Merced Church as well as some other older ruins.
The first day of volunteering consisted of a tour of the charity, which is also available to the public. Luckily, I was the only person so I got a private tour (typical me, right?)! I learned even more about what Common Hope is doing to help the students, families and communities in Guatemala. During the tour, we visited one of the partner schools where I was greeted by countless students in recess and eventually a big hug. I couldn’t believe how small they were! I felt like a huge tower hanging over them. It was really quite the site to behold.
The foundation includes a daycare, which is where I volunteer at. In addition, it has a medical clinic, library, tutors, a computer lab, counseling, the housing department and offices for accounting, hospitality, and social work. In the giving mood? Please donate to my fundraising page at https://give.commonhope.org/fundraise?fcid=966308. Anything helps, and it is a great tax write off!
After volunteering, I make my way back to the house for lunch (almuerzo). The lunches include a meat (i.e. pork or fried chicken patty), rice or potatoes, and a salad. Being in Guatemala, lunch (and dinner) always includes corn tortillas as well. Right after I eat, it is time to take the 25 minute walk across town to my Spanish School (PLFM). I should have looked at a map before booking the classes because my Spanish school could not be further away from my homestay. On the way to school, I pass through places like Tanque Unión, Parque Central or Plaza Mayor, San Jose Cathedral, and Santa Catalina Arch. See below for the photos!
While snapping a photo of the arch, someone offered to take a photo of me! This is a great representation of my afternoons. I am carrying my Spanish School bag with my books and looking before entering the street. It is necessary to look both ways or risk being hit by a cars, tuk-tuks’s, trucks or bus. Such an awkward picture, but hey I’m going with it.
My teacher, Orlando, is wonderful and the school is nice. I decided it was worth the trek...at least for this week!
The Spanish School has their own lime trees and even an avocado tree (So cool!). We sat in the classrooms shown in yellow or an outside seating area.
Unfortunately, it has rained two of the four times I have had to walk home. That said, I was able to capture some pretty cool photos of empty parks.
Once I finally make it back home for the day, I am exhausted from all the walking (approximately 2 hours/3 miles) on the cobbled streets. I relax before dinner since I need to study after I eat. These classes are quite intense and if I don’t study I’ll be very behind the next day.
My first week in Antigua ended with the best experience yet!! I met Dayana, the girl I sponsor through Common Hope, and her family on Friday!
They live in a house in San Miguel, Guatemala. From the street, you could see views of three of the volcanoes (Agua, Acatenango and Fuego). Their garden had a lot of pretty flowers. The family has two kittens named blanca (white) and gris (grey). It was an amazing experience to be so welcomed by their family. This memory will last a lifetime.
