Backpacking and More!

Hello from the TTS21 Campus Visit!  The group is happily settled in our beautiful hotel, enjoying the smiles, hugs and laughs of wonderful company, along with the cool refreshing pool overlooking Lake Atitlan.  The break is well deserved after completing our 30 mile backpacking trip over the weekend.  The girls were amazing!  Hiking 12 miles each day up and down the steep hills (I will call them small mountains) of Guatemala with packs on is no easy task, yet the girls hiked with an even mix of dirt and smiles on their faces.  Each day incorporated several steep uphill climbs, then dramatic downward slopes that challenged the whole group both mentally and physically.  Still, after climbing uphill for several hours, everyone greeted one another with loud cheers, high fives, and plenty of trail mix. 

The trek took the group through several mountain villages, where young children greeted us and the girls watched in awe as farmers worked their land on steep hillsides.  Our packs felt a bit lighter as we watched the local farmers carry huge heavy loads of wood on their backs, all supported by a single strap around their head.  We picked up our pace as we tried to keep up with their speed up the hillsides, despite all of our intense loads.  Our first night ended in the town of Santa Catarina, which is still under construction recovering from the last earthquake that struck the area a few months ago.  The girls enjoyed taking turns relaxing their tired muscles and bathing with clean water in a local sauna, called a timescal (see picture below).  Following the sauna, the girls crawled into their sleeping bags and fell asleep in a giant circle, slumber party style.

          

The next morning arrived quickly at 6 am, but warm tortillas and scrambled eggs helped prepare the group for another 12 mile challenge.  This day´s hike was even more intense than the first, as a brief hour into the hike a steep hillside called Record Hill awaited the group.  The record is a run up the hill at 9 minutes, but with packs on, Kathryn set the TTS21 record with 17 minutes!  Way to go, Kat!   After the whole group completed the ascent, the girls took a deep breath as they learned another 2 hour climb awaited them.  Another container of trail mix later, the girls set off on the trail again.  The trek again passed through a few villages, and finally ended with the dreadful climb up the Cornfield of Death!  The girls traversed back and forth up tight ravines to reach the top, and finished the trek with another quick mile to Don Pedro´s house around 5 that night.  Fruit smoothies, a warm fire, freshly cooked chicken, and the sweetest grandchildren of Don Pedro kept the group in high spirits throughout the evening. 

Eliza and Annalise each played the guitar while the rest of the girls cooked marshmallows.  The music and fun continued as Don Pedro´s grandchildren sang the group several songs accompanied by both an accordion and classical guitar.  It quickly grew quiet as the whole group was fast asleep before 8:30 that night! 

No rest for the weary, as the group had packs on once again by 4 AM the next morning!  The girls hiked by headlamp up more hills to the awe-inspiring mirador overlooking Lake Atitlan where everyone enjoyed warm beverages and an oatmeal breakfast while watching the sunrise over the volcanoes and lake.  It was an unbelievable moment!

The backpacking trip was a definite highlight for the group so far this semester.  Homework and classes were left behind, and all that accompanied the girls with their gear was a determined heart, strong legs, and a love for the beautiful country of Guatemala.  The TTS21 family is strong as ever and cannot wait for the next challenge to come their way!  Until then, they´re going to enjoy a few more trips down the waterslide.

Que le vaya bien,

Jen