Learning Lessons in Guatemala
For the first leg of my sabbatical adventure, I set off without my trusty sidekicks. It was a little bit intimidating traveling to a land where I had a limited ability to speak the language, but I was confident in my planning and preparation.
Guatemala is a beautiful country! I only saw a small part of the country, though, because the mountainous terrain and windy roads slow down travel significantly. I spent most of my time in San Pedro La Laguna, along the shore of Lake Atitlan, possibly the most beautiful lake in the world. In fact, author Aldous Huxley said, "It really is too much of a good thing." While I was in San Pedro for language school, I was able to explore other locations around Lake Atitlan. If I were to share all my memories, this post would be more like a book, so I am only going to share three favorite activities and two lessons learned by the shores of Atitlan.
Three Favorite Activities
1) Sunrise hike to Indian Nose
One of the most popular activities along Lake Atitlan is to hike to a peak called Indian Nose to marvel at a sunrise over the lake. This activity requires leaving San Pedro at 4:00 AM and riding in a bus to a small town where the hike commences. I was joined by two classmates from the language school and approximately twenty other travelers and we started hiking in the pitch darkness.
One advantage to the hiking in the dark is the ability to see lava eruptions coming from Volcan de Fuego (Fire), which is a very active volcano. After about thirty minutes, we made it to Indian Nose and settled in to wait for the sun to rise. Our guides started a fire to make tea and coffee. Slowly, the many volcanoes that surround the lake came into view, a tapestry of colors that is difficult to adequately describe in words. We admired the view for about an hour and then descended down the trail to return to our bus.
2) Hiking to the summit of San Pedro Volcano
Towering over the town of San Pedro sits San Pedro Volcano, which thankfully has not been active for a couple thousand years. Once again, I was joined by a classmate from language school. I enjoyed talking with our guide, Elias, and ended up hiring him to lead a hike along the shore of the lake for the next day.
This time we got to sleep in...we didn't start until 5:00 AM! We rode in a small taxi, called a tuk-tuk, to the trail entrance. It took approximately three hours to hike to the summit up a continuously upward trail. There were several impressive views on the way up to the summit as we ascended through coffee plantations, corn plantings, and moss-covered forests.
Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures because this adventure was also surrounded by a hint of danger. Occasionally, bandits from a neighboring town wait at the summit to rob unexpecting hikers. As a result, we were advised not to bring any valuables on the hike - no cameras, phones, or money. As an additional precaution, our guide hid our bags about 200 meters below the summit and we only carried food and water in his bag to the top.
Once again, the view from the top was spectacular. We towered above Lake Atitlan at 3000 meters above sea level, although, we were only 1500 meters above the lake. The hike back down the trail was surprisingly challenging. Since we were constantly walking down hill, our quadriceps were burning during the descent. Though it was a challenging hike, it was a fun adventure and well worth the effort.
3) Biking along the shores of Lake Atitlan
Before coming to San Pedro, I spent one night in Panajachel on the opposite side of the lake. The next morning, I rented a bike for a couple hours and rode along the shore of the lake. The road was very lightly traveled, so I felt very safe on the ride and, since I had just arrived at Lake Atitlan the previous night, was awed by the view of the lake. The ride was quite challenging. I am not too proud to admit that I had to walk the bike up a few hills.
Lessons Learned in Guatemala
I traveled to Guatemala for the express purpose of learning lessons in Spanish, but I took away other lessons from the experience is well.
1) "Deep learning" is a valuable, challenging and enriching experience
What do I mean by "deep learning"? I am referring to experiences that put you out of your comfort zone and require a lot of effort and concentration. So I am talking about more than just learning some random facts or information. I had two opportunities for deep learning in Guatemala. The first, obviously, was Spanish language classes. I took five hours of classes each morning with a one-on-one tutor. For the first hour, we just engaged in conversation in Spanish. For the rest of the session, my tutor directly taught different aspects of grammar and vocabulary and we occasionally veered back into conversation. Since everything, even instruction, was completely in Spanish, it took an extraordinary amount of concentration to stay focused on the lessons.
The second opportunity for deep learning came at the Lake Atitlan Women Weavers Cooperative where I took lessons to weave a scarf and to practice using the Spanish that I was learning during the day. First, I wound different colored thread around a series of pegs sticking up from a board. Then, I used a lap loom to pass thread through the pattern that I had created in the first step. It took a total of ten hours to finish the scarf and required a surprising amount of strength. The whole experience gave me a new level of appreciation and respect for the women who do this work on a daily basis.
As a teacher, it was incredibly valuable to be in the position of student, sometimes struggling to stay focused and sometimes having difficulty with certain concepts or techniques. It is difficult to step into deep learning and out of areas where you already feel competent, successful, and knowledgeable. I would recommend similar experiences for all educators as it certainly increased the empathy that I have for my students as they regularly engage in deep learning.
2) Experiences, no matter how amazing, are only complete when shared with others
At first, it was exciting to venture off to a foreign land and navigate new experiences without the safety net of a more proficient Spanish speaker. During the course of my trip, I enjoyed numerous amazing experiences, some of which I was able to share with Spanish school classmates from around the world. During my two weeks in San Pedro, I stayed with a local family and appreciated my interactions with them. Other Guatemalans that I met were kind, generous and helpful. I also had a chance to spend a few days with American friends who live full-time in Guatemala.
However, there was something missing. Here is an excerpt from my journal during my second week in San Pedro: "As I took in possibly the most beautiful lake on Earth, I was struck by the truth that experiences, no matter how amazing, are incomplete without someone to share them with. I miss my family."
I am glad that I will get to share the rest of my sabbatical adventure with them!
Guatemala is a beautiful country! I only saw a small part of the country, though, because the mountainous terrain and windy roads slow down travel significantly. I spent most of my time in San Pedro La Laguna, along the shore of Lake Atitlan, possibly the most beautiful lake in the world. In fact, author Aldous Huxley said, "It really is too much of a good thing." While I was in San Pedro for language school, I was able to explore other locations around Lake Atitlan. If I were to share all my memories, this post would be more like a book, so I am only going to share three favorite activities and two lessons learned by the shores of Atitlan.
 |
| The best way to get to San Pedro is by boat |
Three Favorite Activities
1) Sunrise hike to Indian Nose
One of the most popular activities along Lake Atitlan is to hike to a peak called Indian Nose to marvel at a sunrise over the lake. This activity requires leaving San Pedro at 4:00 AM and riding in a bus to a small town where the hike commences. I was joined by two classmates from the language school and approximately twenty other travelers and we started hiking in the pitch darkness.
 |
| Watching the sunrise over Lake Atitlan |
One advantage to the hiking in the dark is the ability to see lava eruptions coming from Volcan de Fuego (Fire), which is a very active volcano. After about thirty minutes, we made it to Indian Nose and settled in to wait for the sun to rise. Our guides started a fire to make tea and coffee. Slowly, the many volcanoes that surround the lake came into view, a tapestry of colors that is difficult to adequately describe in words. We admired the view for about an hour and then descended down the trail to return to our bus.
2) Hiking to the summit of San Pedro Volcano
Towering over the town of San Pedro sits San Pedro Volcano, which thankfully has not been active for a couple thousand years. Once again, I was joined by a classmate from language school. I enjoyed talking with our guide, Elias, and ended up hiring him to lead a hike along the shore of the lake for the next day.
This time we got to sleep in...we didn't start until 5:00 AM! We rode in a small taxi, called a tuk-tuk, to the trail entrance. It took approximately three hours to hike to the summit up a continuously upward trail. There were several impressive views on the way up to the summit as we ascended through coffee plantations, corn plantings, and moss-covered forests.
 |
| Tuk-tuk's are the taxis that are used to navigate the narrow streets of San Pedro |
Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures because this adventure was also surrounded by a hint of danger. Occasionally, bandits from a neighboring town wait at the summit to rob unexpecting hikers. As a result, we were advised not to bring any valuables on the hike - no cameras, phones, or money. As an additional precaution, our guide hid our bags about 200 meters below the summit and we only carried food and water in his bag to the top.
Once again, the view from the top was spectacular. We towered above Lake Atitlan at 3000 meters above sea level, although, we were only 1500 meters above the lake. The hike back down the trail was surprisingly challenging. Since we were constantly walking down hill, our quadriceps were burning during the descent. Though it was a challenging hike, it was a fun adventure and well worth the effort.
 |
| The view from the top of San Pedro Volcano, though I did not take this picture |
3) Biking along the shores of Lake Atitlan
Before coming to San Pedro, I spent one night in Panajachel on the opposite side of the lake. The next morning, I rented a bike for a couple hours and rode along the shore of the lake. The road was very lightly traveled, so I felt very safe on the ride and, since I had just arrived at Lake Atitlan the previous night, was awed by the view of the lake. The ride was quite challenging. I am not too proud to admit that I had to walk the bike up a few hills.
 |
| Biking around Lake Atitlan |
Lessons Learned in Guatemala
I traveled to Guatemala for the express purpose of learning lessons in Spanish, but I took away other lessons from the experience is well.
1) "Deep learning" is a valuable, challenging and enriching experience
What do I mean by "deep learning"? I am referring to experiences that put you out of your comfort zone and require a lot of effort and concentration. So I am talking about more than just learning some random facts or information. I had two opportunities for deep learning in Guatemala. The first, obviously, was Spanish language classes. I took five hours of classes each morning with a one-on-one tutor. For the first hour, we just engaged in conversation in Spanish. For the rest of the session, my tutor directly taught different aspects of grammar and vocabulary and we occasionally veered back into conversation. Since everything, even instruction, was completely in Spanish, it took an extraordinary amount of concentration to stay focused on the lessons.
 |
| With my maestro (teacher), Antonio |
The second opportunity for deep learning came at the Lake Atitlan Women Weavers Cooperative where I took lessons to weave a scarf and to practice using the Spanish that I was learning during the day. First, I wound different colored thread around a series of pegs sticking up from a board. Then, I used a lap loom to pass thread through the pattern that I had created in the first step. It took a total of ten hours to finish the scarf and required a surprising amount of strength. The whole experience gave me a new level of appreciation and respect for the women who do this work on a daily basis.
 |
| Working away weaving a scarf |
As a teacher, it was incredibly valuable to be in the position of student, sometimes struggling to stay focused and sometimes having difficulty with certain concepts or techniques. It is difficult to step into deep learning and out of areas where you already feel competent, successful, and knowledgeable. I would recommend similar experiences for all educators as it certainly increased the empathy that I have for my students as they regularly engage in deep learning.
2) Experiences, no matter how amazing, are only complete when shared with others
At first, it was exciting to venture off to a foreign land and navigate new experiences without the safety net of a more proficient Spanish speaker. During the course of my trip, I enjoyed numerous amazing experiences, some of which I was able to share with Spanish school classmates from around the world. During my two weeks in San Pedro, I stayed with a local family and appreciated my interactions with them. Other Guatemalans that I met were kind, generous and helpful. I also had a chance to spend a few days with American friends who live full-time in Guatemala.
However, there was something missing. Here is an excerpt from my journal during my second week in San Pedro: "As I took in possibly the most beautiful lake on Earth, I was struck by the truth that experiences, no matter how amazing, are incomplete without someone to share them with. I miss my family."
I am glad that I will get to share the rest of my sabbatical adventure with them!
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