June 24, 2013
We have safely arrived in Antigua! Our trip was fairly smooth despite the less than ideal schedule (leaving at midnight and arriving at 11 am). The only casualty along the was was our $20 dollars of peanut butter (presents for peace corps volunteers), which was confiscated at the airport. Apparently peanut butter classifies as a liquid, gel or aerosol...who knew?
Luckily we were able to replace our loss at a bagel shop in Houston.
Leaving the airport in Guatemala three imposing volcanoes came into view as we climbed into the green hills towards Antigua. The volcanoes are called El Volcan de Agua (the water volcano), El Volcan de Fuego (the fire volcano) and the third one maintains it's indigenous name that neither Kelsey nor I remember. The fire volcano gets its name from the fact that it is still active-still spitting smoke and lava on a regular basis. The water volcano takes its name from its history, however. Apparently in the 17th or 18th century Guatemala's capital used to be located at the base of this volcano, but after several rainy years the volcano's basin filled with water, which caused the side of the basin to blow out, both inundating and destroying the capital.
In fact, we learned that Guatemala's capital had changed 3 times before finally settling in its present location. In each occasion it seems that one natural disaster or another had been the cause of each change- an allusion to both Guatemala's tumultuous past and dramatic landscape.
After we arrived in Antigua we had every intention of fully exploring the city and going to the open air market, but after obtaining a cell phone (our main mission for the day) our motivation waned and we ended up sleeping for the better part of the afternoon. In the evening we walked around a bit and had some excellent pupusas for dinner.
Kelsey is now being studious and I am seriously considering partaking in the joy that is the Central American telenovela...we will see...
Tomorrow we head out for Uspantan, a bumpy 5 hour ride, but we are looking forward to meeting some of the people we have been communicating with for the last couple months!
Sending muchos abrazos y carino to our families and friends and we hope to keep you updated!
Kelsey Barale, graduate student, International Agricultural Development, UC Davis Elana Peach-Fine, PhD candidate, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
Luckily we were able to replace our loss at a bagel shop in Houston.
Leaving the airport in Guatemala three imposing volcanoes came into view as we climbed into the green hills towards Antigua. The volcanoes are called El Volcan de Agua (the water volcano), El Volcan de Fuego (the fire volcano) and the third one maintains it's indigenous name that neither Kelsey nor I remember. The fire volcano gets its name from the fact that it is still active-still spitting smoke and lava on a regular basis. The water volcano takes its name from its history, however. Apparently in the 17th or 18th century Guatemala's capital used to be located at the base of this volcano, but after several rainy years the volcano's basin filled with water, which caused the side of the basin to blow out, both inundating and destroying the capital.
In fact, we learned that Guatemala's capital had changed 3 times before finally settling in its present location. In each occasion it seems that one natural disaster or another had been the cause of each change- an allusion to both Guatemala's tumultuous past and dramatic landscape.
Kelsey is now being studious and I am seriously considering partaking in the joy that is the Central American telenovela...we will see...
Tomorrow we head out for Uspantan, a bumpy 5 hour ride, but we are looking forward to meeting some of the people we have been communicating with for the last couple months!
Sending muchos abrazos y carino to our families and friends and we hope to keep you updated!
Kelsey Barale, graduate student, International Agricultural Development, UC Davis Elana Peach-Fine, PhD candidate, Plant Pathology, UC Davis
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