Hey family, teachers and friends,
Just checking in for a second update on all of our Guatemalan adventures. We woke up this morning to meet our amazing tour guide, Hugo Suarez.   We all packed in the back of his range rover and headed off to our first stop, a restaurant off the highway famous for its delicious fruit pies.  We ate breakfast and learned how to make tortillas with the local ladies.   

 




Then we drove a bit down the road to some ancient Mayan ruins in an area called Iximché.  The site is best known as the very first capital of Guatemala. 












We were also very lucky to be able to witness a traditional Mayan ritual complete with flowers, incense, rum, candles, corn, and a Shaman.   

Our next drive was full of amazing scenery as we drove beside the shore of Lake Atitlan passing waterfalls and colorful graveyards along the way.

One of the highlights of everyone's day was the zip-lines.  It was amazing to see the view of the lake from so high up!

When we arrived at the zipline place we were given our equipment we hiked up to an observation deck where were could see wild monkeys and another type of mammal like a raccoon that we had never seen before.  We fed them bananas and they came just feet away from where we were standing! 

Our day was full of even more adventures including swimming in the lake and watching a parade in the streets in accordance with Easter, but we all have to get to bed so we can be well rested for our busy day tomorrow at the work site.

  The streets are adorned with carpets made of flowers.

 

 Floats are carried down the street in processional. The floats each represent the stations of the cross as part of the Lent celebrations. The processional walks over the beautiful flower carpets.
We will keep you posted!
Aubrie Phillips