hiking isn't for the faint of heart

Last weekend, I signed myself up to climb Victoria Peak - the tallest mountain in Belize.  Why?  Good question.  I would like to say that I really was looking forward to the personal challenge, or that I thought it would be another great adventure.  In reality, I just didnt think it through. The climb is 27K. Great, I can handle that.  Insert here a blonde moment where I failed to realize that 27K was a one way measurement....still had to climb back down the mountain another 27K.

  Yes, I realized this a full 5 hours into a hike that I will forever despise. I would love to tell you that I had an amazing experience and that the view was breathtaking but here are the simple truths:  I hated my life almost every minute after reaching 12K the first go round....and I never actually made it to the summit (although from those few that reached it...it was cloudy anyway). Let's chalk this whole trip up to life experience my friends.  Victoria Peak - 1, Bucy - 0.   (but i did still hike 26.6 miles in the jungle, up a mountain...i can live with that).

These are the things I'm taking away:

• you should really, really, REALLY be in phenomenal shape before attempting a 33 mile hike up a mountain.
• know your limits and never be afraid to admit when you've reached them
• idoine tablets are not exactly tasty...but when fillling your water from the river, they are necessary.
• waterfall showers are refreshing after 19K....and the resulting pools are excellent for icing sore muscles/joints
• realize that whatever distance you hike in, you must also hike out. (i realize this should be obvious)
• bedtime on a mountain is whenever the sun goes down, if you can manage to stay awake to actually witness the sunset.
• wake up time is  around 4:30...make sure you have a flashlight.
• friends are there for support...you're all in the same shitty situation - laugh, cry, and share toilet paper.
• bug spray is useless - even stuff with deet.  these bugs were out for blood. literally.
• the last 12K are the fastest - possibly because you can't wait to get the hell off the mountain for good
• have ready at your home upon return: asprin, icy hot, benadryl, and anti itch cream...they're your new best friends.

awww....before the hike. we had no idea.

these packs = heaviest things ever after 19K.

dirty.sweaty.not happy.

break.

steep!

well...at least they attempted a latrine at 19K base camp.

base camp at 19K. notice how great the roof looks!

view.  or so i'm told.

Happy Hiking!

sunday, easter sunday

On Easter, we got up before dawn and took a trip to Lake Atitlan. Its about 3 hours from Antigua and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. We stopped once on the way there to grab some breakfast and much to my surprise....it was FREEZING. I huddled next to a wood burning stove and ordered coffee so I could attempt to warm up. We asked our driver to crank up the heat and Tonia even bought a shawl. Its amazing how unprepared we were for cooler weather! Once we reached the lake, we took a boat ride to three of the communities that surround the lake, San Pedro, Santiago, & San Antonio. The villages were all beautiful in their own rights, although the constant heckling from the locals to get us white gyals to buy something got old quite fast. Aside from that, it was wonderful. See for yourself:

Attempting to warm up by the stove at the restaurant.

On the dock before the trip.What?! Like anyone would refuse this photo op. :0)

pacaya

On Saturday of my trip to Antigua, my friend Kristen and I decided to take a trip to hike Pacaya Volcano.  We left around 2pm. and didn't return until nearly 10pm. Pacaya has been continuously active since 1965 so we wanted to make sure we were there at night to see all the action!  It sits at an elevation of about 8,300 feet so we were in for one heck of a climb.  The trip up is nearly vertical and takes most groups about 1.5 hours to reach the base.  My group made the same trip in about 40 min...passing several others on our way.  I had enough after about a half an hour and hopped a horse....only to dismount 10 min. later....OY! if only i'd known i was so close.  :0)
Again: pictures are better than words for this experience

roasting marshmallows over lava...it was HOT.

eating my s'more

 

                                                     melted shoe rubber....ahhh.

Here is the mastercard commercial version of the trip:

• entrance fee into pacaya: 40 Quetzales
• tour guide for pacaya: 60 Quetzales
• Marshmallows and chocolate 15 Quetzales
• Hiking stick to pull me to the top: 5 Quetzales
• Horse for 10 min. because I'm a wuss: 55 Quetzales
• new shoes to hike (because i only brought flip flops): 120 Quetzales
• watching new shoes melt into oblivion while attempting to roast marshmallows over lava:  priceless

Processions in Antigua

Easter weekend this year was wonderful!  I traveled with other PCVs to Antigua, Guatemala to see their celebrations.  Antigua is unique in that it keeps alive traditions that are hundreds of years old.  Each year, the city celebrates Semana Santa with processions that traverse through the old cobblestone streets and march over beautiful flower/sawdust murals that are made on the ground.  We arrived on Good Friday at the height of the celebrations.  At 7am we were just in time to watch a procession that signified the walk that Jesus took before he was placed on the cross.   I think it'll be better to let you view for yourself, so I'm posting pictures of the trip.  If you want to see more, just send me an email and I'll get them to you. 

One of the finished murals (mde of colored sawdust and flowers) before the early morning procession.

I dont know what he's supposed to be...but his outfit was stellar.

One of the ancient churches in Antigua that the procession passed.

Constructing another mural for a mid day procession on Good Friday.

More murals being made.

Busy street on Good Friday.

Taking a break mid-day.

Fetch!

Well, its officially spring break (or Easter Break for Belizeans) which means that I have two weeks of freedom!  Actually, it means that I have time for a vacation, laundry, and to update you all on the things happening here in Belize. 

Trafford and I seem to have a rhythym going in our day to day life.  He prefers to stay outside and relax in the shanty I built for him (he doesnt seem to notice its not as high class as the neighbor dogs' accommodations thank goodness). Its up at 6, play, eat, sleep and repeat all throughout the day.  Come evening, he likes to cuddle up on the couch with his head on my lap.  When he fails to get his quota of attention from me, then its whining until he realizes its not going to get him anywhere.

But, by far, my favorite activity to do with Trafford is playing fetch.  He's gotten quite good at retreiving anything that I send flying through the air.  In fact, its almost nerve wracking watching him dart through the house so quickly.  Now that the weather is warm and breezy, we take this activity outside.  I didnt realize how much of an obsession he had with fetch until I was cooking dinner one night in my house.  I looked out the back window to see what Trafford could possibly have gotten himself into, only to discover that he had taken fetch to a whole new level. 

See for yourself:

Yep, thats right...he's playing fetch with an entire branch of the coconut tree thats in my back yard. Apparently sticks are just not enough anymore...he preferst things three times his actual size... and he's thoroughly enjoying himself too...this is why I dont buy outdoor toys: nothing compares to coconut products!!  AH....i love my dog.