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    Journey to the Summit This journal records progress to my first goal, a long time desire to learn, converse & dream in Spanish and a 2nd goal continue training in Guatemala for my future summit of Mt. Rainier, Washington.

    Photos from Guatemala

    There are [156] photos from Guatemala

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    Theora arrives in Xela to join my journey. Views[609] FLASHBACK: This photo was taken Aug 18, 2008 at the Ingraham Flats high base camp on Mt. Rainier in Washington State, USA. Altitude: 11,200 ft (3414 m). Note the lack of vegetation way above the tree line. Views[1184] Antigua rooftops and church ruins from posada terrace. Views[751] Back home again on Bainbridge Island with a view of Mt. Rainier from our ferry. Views[787] Hikers moving through volcanic scree to the lava flow. Note the rivers of lava in the upper left corner. Views[522]
     
    Views[1653] Having recently watched Selma Hyak and Julie Taymor's movie View of Pacaya from the Posada Lazos Fuertes rooftop terrace; lovely place to relax and read in the sun. Views[556] Thanking everyone at the graduation dinner for all their support and memories. Views[853] Theora y yo at L'Osteria, an Italian restaurant recommended by The Lonely Planet that we took our hostess, Raquel, and her family to for dinner the night before we left Guate. Views[1680]
     
    Art sculpture in front of the Guatemala City library on the Square. Views[296] Fountain and cathedral in Guatemala City plaza. Views[1879] Guatemala City cathedral across today's Parque Central. Views[541] Model of earlier Parque Central and Cathedral in Guatemala City. Views[280] View of the circular quarters from the outside. Views[229]
     
    As we explored the outside of the nun's quarters these alcoves were present between the outer walls of each cell. At the top of the alcove is a hole that I presumed to be a vent. My guess is that in colder days a fire was built in each of the alcoves which heated the rock walls of the two adjacent cells producing a form of radiant heat in the living cells. Because the fires were on the outside of the building and not within each room the fires could be built and tended to by someone without entering the the nun's quarters and there would be no smoke to bother the nun's. Views[267] As was shown each of the nun's cells had shelves, bed, sitting area, and here is the private privy that each had. It is similar to an outhouse indoors. The grating is presumably for safety. In the reconstructed cells the privy was wood with the appropriate hole to sit over. The interesting addition is that rainwater collected on the roof ran down a pipe embedded in the wall (visible above the upper right corner of the grate)and washed the waste away. Views[303] The nun's had a room with two bathtubs in it. Views[209] Reconstructed nun's cell. Views[1120] Nun's cell. Views[362]
     
    Opening to a reconstructed nun's cell. Views[351] The courtyard around the circular cell structure of the nun living quarters. Views[1452] The unusual circular quarters of the Capuchina nuns. Views[244] The chapel of the convent with domes being restored. Views[200] The courtyard fountain of the Capuchina nuns. Views[240]
     
    The Capuchina Convent (yes, the same adfter which the coffee drink was named). Views[273] San Jose ruins from the 1773 eathquake. Views[201] The ruins of the San Francisco church. Views[227] La Condesa Restaurant off Parque Central. Views[219] Just a little check with my walking stick to see what lava feels like. It had a thick, gooey consistancy and, of course, REALLY hot. Views[402]
     
    Lava flow glowing in the background. Views[354] The easy and colorful way some folks get to the Pacaya lava flows. Views[373] Theora and me on the way to Volcán de Pacaya. Views[395] Volcanes Agua (3760 m), Acatenango (3975 m) Fuego (3763 m). Views[475] Volcán de Pacaya model at the village/trailhead of San Francisco. If you don't know it, I really like little models. Note the ribbons of lava flow -- see photos in gallery. Views[1600]
     
    Frieda's Restaurant Views[208] Off the square with La Merced church in the background. Views[252] Celebrating our first night in Antigua at La Fonda de la Calle. We had a wonderful dinner with an exceptional Chilean Cabbernet/Syrah wine (and Theora can drink in Guatemala). Views[609] Antigua parque central east side. Views[757] The real thing, church on parque central Views[232]
     
    Model of Antigua parque central Views[270] Posada Lazos Fuertes Views[205] Posada Lazos Fuertes Views[218] Posada Lazos Fuertes Views[239] Posada Lazos Fuertes Views[805]
     
    Posada Lazos Fuertes Views[335] Chicken bus after Antigua arrival Views[880] Saying good-bye to Daniel, Wendy, Trinis in Xela Views[560] Carla presenting me with my diploma signifying my completion of 8 weeks of studying Spanish. Trinis and Wendy of Familia Sosa are in the foreground. Views[1005] Last field with the school. Theora and I joined maestra Judith in a trip back to Fuentes Georginas hot springs for a body relaxing soak from 8 weeks of school.; Views[943]
     
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