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.

Trip: Adventures in Xela

There are [67] stories from my trip: Adventures in Xela

Gallery: T2C--Hiking Volcán Tajumulco

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 9 May 2009 | Photo Gallery

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Gallery: Week 6 in Xela

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 2 May 2009 | Photo Gallery

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T2C--Hiking the Hillside

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 2 May 2009 | Views [350]

During our hike Mateo showed me the area of the "eucalipto árboles" where he stood next to one for comparison. They were big honking trees. See the gallery for more pictures of the countryside. More photos in the Week 6 gallery.

T2C--The Hill Behind Our House

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 2 May 2009 | Views [288]

For some more T2C training I took on this hillside behind our house but I don't know what it is called. From what I could pick up it is probably around 8,000 ft at the top and overlooks Xela at 7,500 feet below. For my birthday Mateo took me up it, ... Read more >

Aftermath

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 2 May 2009 | Views [346] | Comments [1]

Birthday

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 2 May 2009 | Views [646] | Comments [2]

After visiting the Salcaja church I headed home for lunch. Natalie mentioned something to me in the kitchen about my big day so Trinis asked me what that was. I told her it was my birthday whereupon she said she didn’t know that and how come I hadn’t ... Read more >

Iglésia Salcajá

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 2 May 2009 | Views [2539] | Comments [2]

La iglésia Salcaja. This church, built in 1524 is the oldest Catholic church in Central America. The Spanish conquistadors built it here in the center of the Mayan culture. One of my instructors told me it was selected by the Guatemalan people as their ... Read more >

My First Shave

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 25 Apr 2009 | Views [463] | Comments [1]

I decided that I was do for a change. This meant shaving my beard off. It is kind of a chore to do it oneself so I decided to have my first professional shave today. It was quite an adventure. I asked Daniel, our house Dad, if he would take me to the ... Read more >

Mi primer conversación

GUATEMALA | Wednesday, 22 Apr 2009 | Views [329]

Mi primera conversación español con Theora. Fue un momento especial para mi y Theora. No tengo una foto de la experencia asi aquí es una foto del teléfono que yo usé para hablar con Theora. Éste es la foto de teléfon actual que yo usé por hablar ... Read more >

Some Xela History

GUATEMALA | Tuesday, 21 Apr 2009 | Views [1487]

I spend a lot of time talking about being in Xela perhaps some history might be of interest (from a local brochure…) In Pre-Columbian times Quetzaltenango was a cityh of the Mam Mayan people called Xelajú, although by the time of the Spanish Conquest ... Read more >

Gallery: Week 4 in Xela

GUATEMALA | Saturday, 18 Apr 2009 | Photo Gallery

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Graduation with a New Twist

GUATEMALA | Thursday, 16 Apr 2009 | Views [421] | Comments [1]

At La Escuela Miguel Angel Asturias we usually have our graduation dinner on Thursday evenings. It usually a student potluck where each student prepares a dish for all the students and attending teachers. The dishes can run from Guatemaltecan favorites ... Read more >

Week 4: Fuentes Georginas

GUATEMALA | Tuesday, 14 Apr 2009 | Views [390] | Video

Week 4: One of the advantages of being near volcanoes is hot springs. One afternoon after classes Derek, Laura, Jen & Kyle and I headed for the Fuentes Georginas spa. Let's say it was amazingly relaxing and the drive to and from it in a picop through ... Read more >