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XELA PAGES GUATEMALAN NEWSLETTER http://www.xelapages.com/ Issue #12, November 30, 1999 Current Subscriber - 726 ================================================== Copyright 1999 By Tom Lingenfelter -- Xela Pages Please forward this Newsletter to 2 Friends and tell them to subscribe!!!
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Another update from Antigua, Guatemala... My mother came to Guatemala to visit Cindy & Craig, as well as Craig's mother (Cindy's hubby's mother). Because of their visit, we got first class treatment by association! How nice! The first week the mother's were here, they spent nights in 5 different
beds, in 7 nights. A whirlwind tour of the area! They went
to Tikal, the wonderful, huge Mayan ruin site close to the border of Mexico.
I visited there in July, and it was quite awesome... It was easy to appreciate
the knowledge of astrology and
We visited Coban, a coffee finca town, historically run mostly by Germans. The bus ride took about 5 hours from Antigua. We stayed in the nicest hotel in Coban, and it only cost about $50CDN a night, for 3 people. There's not much to do in Coban, however, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Coban, across extremely bumpy and windy roads, is an oasis called Semuc Champey. In stark contrast to the polluted main cities of Guatemala, we arrived at a parking lot, made a 5-minute walk and arrived at these lush seafoam green pools of water set in limestone. Semuc Champey is a 300m long limestone bridge, on top of which lie 3 main levels of pools, which cascade strongly and forcefully from the Rio Cahabon River off the mountains. The thrust of the water actually goes beneath these limestone pools which form a natural bridge over this rushing river of white water. The water off the top of these pools falls gently off the edge into another set of pools and then yet another. It's like something from Jurassic Park, where you turn a corner and then there are these huge cliffs, mountains and lush green trees surrounding a beautiful, sparkling pool of water. I'd have to say that this is the most beautiful site I've visited in Guatemala so far. After freezing in Xela for 4 weeks, I hadn't planned on going swimming,
so I rolled up my pants to wade into the water, when I slipped and fell,
plunging into the water, pants, t-shirt, camera and all. Luckily
my camera is somewhat water resistant, and it's okay. So, I gave
up, changed into my bathing suit and joined
Our tour, consisting of us five and two other people, ate lunch at the falls, and then proceeded to the Grutas de Lanquin, or the Lanquin Caves. There are 15 km of caves, and the first little bit, probably only 0.5km is mapped out for tourists complete with rickety pipe ladders and bridges. Even with the aids put in to help people through the caves, our mothers had a little trouble and one mother didn't venture past the first ladder. Central America is not really known for ensuring public safety. We had heard that the cool thing to do is wait by the mouth of the cave at dusk to see the hundreds of bats that exit through this one cave opening. So Craig, Cindy and I, waited at the mouth of the cave, while the others waited below, and lo and behold, just about dusk, thousands upon thousands of bats came streaming out of the cave. You could feel them whizzing by your hair, but they never touch you due to their extremely quick navigational skills and their sonar senses. We had our flashlights on and you could see the bats making rapid U-turns about a half-foot in front of our faces. You could also hear the little "cheeps" of thebats. It was extremely wild! But you have to sit at the mouth of the cave to experience it, because the rest of the tour was waiting about 30 feet away from us, just outside the cave, and they had no idea what we were experiencing. Cindy and Craig got a couple of good pictures capturing the hundreds of bats heading towards us. It was one of the coolest things I've experienced so far! The next day, after returning back to Coban, we went to Vivero Verapaz, and orchid farm. This German/Guatemalan has thousands of species of orchids that he has collected and saved over the years. Although the majority of the orchids weren't in bloom when we visited, we still saw quite a few of them in bloom. I think blooming time is in December... but don't quote me on that The second week we stayed at a doctor's house. She was away for
the month and Cindy and Craig were house-sitting for the month of November.
One night I went into the laundry room, turned the light on, and let out
a yelp as this bat flew around frantically in the room. I yelled
for Cindy, "Come quick, there's a
The mother's spend the second week going on social work visits and visiting
schools with people from the project (La Familia de Esperanza) where Cindy
and Craig volunteer. My mother has hopped onto the back of a pick-up
truck hitching a ride into town, rode on the back of a scooter driving
to the vacation school where Cindy is teaching, ridden on a chicken bus
(basically converted Brantford schoolbuses painted and overhauled so they
sit 6 adults a row, and have only enough room for very thin people to walk
down the middle), and she has ridden in a cockroach infested 2nd class
bus from Coban to Guatemala. Fortunately, the bus broke down about an hour
and half out of Coban, we had to wait for another 2 hours before
So basically those are my adventures for the last few weeks. I'm planning on heading up the Rio Dulce to Livingston, where there are Caribbean-type beaches, attitudes and temperatures... Ah, can't wait... But I have to get there first, and that's half the battle! ;-) Cheers,
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In Guatemala things can move a little slow, and at other times,
We have been meeting weekly with the Head of the Department of
The process ("tramite") SHOULD be less time consuming and
The fees to-be-charged by Immigration are as follows: Solicitude for Pensionado/Rentista Status - no charge
"Pensionados and Rentistas" can still bring in their home
The other catagories (Temporary and Permanent Resident) have a
OUR "SPECIAL REPORT" IS BEING UPDATED FOR THESE
Without being too humble, it is more than worth the price @ 29 Bucks! OUR REPORT INFORMS ONE OF EVERYTHING "THAT IS NEEDED
SHOULD YOU NEED ASSISTANCE IN PROCESSING YOUR APPLICATION,
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You can buy these guides directly from Amazon.com simply by clicking
Lonely Planet Central America : On a Shoestring (3rd Ed)
Lonely Planet Guatemala, Belize & Yucatan LA Ruta Maya (3rd Ed)
Rough Guide to Guatemala by Rough Guides, Mark Whatmore
The Rough Guide to Guatemala and Belize (3rd Ed)
Fodor's Belize & Guatemala: The Complete Guide With Beaches,
To see all my recommendations goto: http://www.xelapages.com/guides/ +==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+==+
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Hi Tom, Here is a little info on my trip last Dec. to Xela Arrived in Guatemala City absolutely terrified. My friend and I left the airport and stayed in a little town called Antigua about a half-hour outside the city, so that we could catch "what is called the chicken bus to Xela. Everywhere we stopped people were nice, friendly and most of all helpful. If you don't speak Spanish well, don' worry, I didn't either but if you know the city your going to, the people will give you directions to the right bus. Stayed three week in Xela with host family, and traveled elsewhere in country on weekends. First weekend traveled to Lago Atitalan, real touristy, but excellent place to visit, inexpensive, and the people there are very nice also. By the way, I never met anyone who was rude during the whole trip until I arrived back in Dallas. Second weekend spent in Chichicastenango, stayed two days there, spent most of the time at the market. Had a wonderful time, it was Christmas time or festival time their, did lots of dancing and shopping. On the Third weekend headed back to Guatemala City by way of Antigua again, Stayed in Antigua another day and enjoyed the market there, and also sight-seeing which we didn't get to see on the first stay. Just to give you some information about the trip and myself. My friend and I are in our 40's and we did speak a little Spanish. We spent eight hours daily in school at Escuela de Sakribal in Xela ( http://www.xelapages.com/sakribal ) Excellent teachers and a great learning atmosphere, I never heard anything bad about any of the other language schools in Xela. Our trip was over the Christmas holidays and what a culture to be in during the holidays. Everyone was nice and friendly and truly helpful. I would highly recommend a trip to Guatemala to anyone thinking about going south. Stay in Touch! Mike ==========================================================================
Today we celebrate the Day of the Dead, I live in California for many
years
From several blocks before approaching any cemetery you can smell the
scent
You can read a consolation thought in front of the main gate at the
Our friends are not dead, they are asleep. Sonia Clarke
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Hola de Guatemala!
First off, check out our website for lots of info: www.guatemalainfo.com As for specific volunteer stuff, here are some more addresses: though
i'm
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
Casa Bernabe - orphanage
Work in after school program: art, games, homework - Antigua area and
more.
Teaching adults and kids English in a pueblo 20min. from Antigua -
Write to
God Child Project (Familias Esperanza)
(DIFFERENT ORGANIZATION)- God's Child Project
tenamit@quetzal.net
PROJECT MITCH - GUATEMALA
"Father Greg" at: sanlucasT@pronet.net.gt
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND INFORMATION IN GUATEMALA:
OASIS - AIDS (CIDA) education and support - Guatemala City
Angie Aragón
If you are interested in helping streetchildren in Quetzaltenango,
To Register for Volunteer Positions in Guatemala-
VOLUNTEER INFO IN QUETZALTENANGO (Xela) area:
www.xelapages.com/lapaz/index.htm
Centro de Superacion Integral (CENSI)
GLOBAL INFORMATION GROUP Internships and Job Opportunities -
www.vfp.org -(Volunteers for peace international work camps) www.workingabroad.com/organis/organis.htm www.eyetravel.org WWW.CIAO-DIRECTORY.ORG WWW.UNV.ORG ECOLOGIC FROM THE U.K. FOR STUDENTS.
NICARAGUA VOLUNTEER INFO:
COSTA RICA:
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Lots of schools need help on a long or short term basis. Computer, medical, agricultural, teaching skills, etc. always welcome,
but
Your willingness to help out is appreciated more than you can imagine!
-Nancy VISION TRAVEL
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If you would like to advertise in this newsletter send request to
Have a great trip!! Tom Lingenfelter - Editor
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