Guatemala, a New World

This trip brought to me a world of new experiences, the likes of which I have never embarked on before. The Mayan ruins at Tikal and Uaxactun were incredible for the sheer impossibilty that a civilization with such few resources and so ancient could have built the stone behemoths that greeted us upon our arrival. The buildings towered impossibly high, and implanted a vivid image of the Maya civilization into my mind´s eye. I could not escape the feeling that I was tresspassing into a different world. When I touch the walls and imagine the stories they could tell, I feel a sense of mystery, overpowering and almost nauseating. Later, we visited Antigua where we were allowed to shop at the market. To state it bluntly, the market was enormous. It was a maze of stalls all selling foods, meat, arts and crafts. The sounds and smells of the market (some more pleasant than others) infiltrated my senses sending me on a cultural experience unlike any other. What struck me most about the market was the desperateness and determination that the people possessed to sell their goods and make a living for their families. An old woman in a stall offered dirty cabbages for high prices, while a vendor three stalls down would be selling perfectly good cabbages for the same price, and yet both sat in their stalls expecting buyers. The market and all of guatemala was both eye-opening and envigorating and is a place I will never forget as long as I live.

Adam Burnier
High Tech High International

Tikal

Being out of America was not a new experience for me. Ever since I went to France when I was ten I have loved simply being somewhere where I have no experience surviving in the society. For me, American life is tedious and boring. I like to do things that take me out of my comfort zone and make me reflect on my life in America. Different societies interest me. Especially ones that existed thousands of years ago. Visiting the Mayan ruins in Tikal and Uaxactun were definately the most interesting and inspiring part of my time in Guatemala. To think that such a monstrous society rose and fell before any of us even existed simply boggles my mind. What did the people of that time think about? What were their daily lives like? How does ancient Mayan society compare to our own? These questions were constantly running through my head while I was walking up and down the temples of Tikal. While I was there I couldn´t help but feel the presence of some antediluvian entity trying to communicate with me. It made me wish I could have been alive to witness the creation of such a mystical place. To me, the Mayan ways seemed to reach out from the mist. Like something palpable. Like an idea. It was easily the most intense spiritual experience of my life, and I know I will never forget it. My time in Guatemala has truly made me realize how much I love getting out of my own society and experiencing a new kinds of connections with other societies that exist in the past or present.

Nate Levenson
High Tech High International

March Guatemala 2008

Sitting in an internet cafe is not half of what I have learned and experienced on the Guatemala trip. I´ve experienced physical activity, responsiblity, communicating with people of a different language, and just plain culture . As far as physical activity goes there is nothing like hiking up hills all day to get to your destination, at Arcas a animal rehabilltation center was so much work and so cleansing to a body that has not been given so much physical ativity lately. I feel as if I have much better health today then I did on March 8th.The responsibilty is great as well. I volunteered for a reason I could have said no I won´t help your cause, but I did. I loved getting to know the volunteers at Arcas they are amazing people who lead amazing lives, from knowing three languages, to travling the world, and just helping animals that need to get back on their feet to a better life. These people are amazing. Not just the volunteers , but the people of Guatemala they are what I would call so sincere and the nicest people I have encountered they just know how to make you feel welcome. I will defintely be coming back Gautemala is rich in culture, but also rich in welcome and beauty. I have learned so much I have sharpened up my Spanish skills, by talking to the locals and my host family and I have learned that the Mayans still celebrate the Mayan religion which I thought had died out. I have even learned about my self as well knowing that I have a great personality, I don´t have to wear make up, and I can still be happy and live life with out so many worries. I am still a carefree girl and I can let my hair down if I want to. I am so thankful for this trip it´s my favorite of the two (China last year) and I know that this trip has changed my life. So I want to thank Jen and Tiffani for taking to some of the most amazing places ever. Viva Flores, Viva Antigua, and Viva Guatemala.

Tatiana Willis
High Tech High International