(6/9-11) Weekend at Atitlán


Friday morning we took a boat to a hospital in Santiago. The boat ride was super fun! Zipping across the lake, surrounded by volcanoes, it was an incredible experience. The hospital was a beautiful facility, with lots of natural light and incredibly resourceful architecture. However, we noticed that there weren't that many patients - the hospital was fairly empty. This is so odd because it was a great facility, and also offered medical treatment at no or very low costs. This brought up the discussion of what was missing between the doctors and the patients. Even though a hospital could have the best doctors, treatment, and science, if the patients don't feel comfortable and understood in the setting, they won't want to go. I've been realizing more and more how crucial understanding the patient and the culture, lifestyle they come from should come first and foremost. 






Saturday was our free day to explore Atitlán! Before anything else, I gotta talk about how good the hotel breakfast is. They give a humongous bowl of fruit - mangoes, bananas, watermelon, cantelope, papaya - it's happiness in a bowl. I could go on about the granola and yogurt for DAYS, it's so good. After a hearty breakfast, we took a boat to San Marcos, one of the many villages around the lake. We walked to a small cliff where people can jump off into the lake. I didn't want to risk getting parasites fluttering around in my tummy so I opted out, but it was super fun to watch people jump off and see the awesome pictures. Got an adrenaline run vicariously, that's for sure. While other people jumped off the cliff, a group of us hiked up to the peak of the mountain and got to see an incredible view of the lake. The seemingly endless stairs almost killed me, but the view at the end was worth it. After San Marcos, we took another boat to San Juan. I absolutely loved San Juan! There were so many art galleries and little shops where people were selling beautiful items. After a packed day of exploring, we headed back to the hotel. A couple of us got some drinks at a cafe. I got a mango licuado with yogurt - possibly one of the best drinks I've ever had. The mangoes here are just SO GOOD. 




Sunday! Our last day in Atitlán, but we definitely made the most of it. It was pouring rain, so our plans kept changing, but a group of us spontaneously decided to go kayaking in the lake. So glad we did it! Never thought I would be able to say that I went kayaking in a lake in the middle of Central America, 5,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by volcanoes, in the pouring rain. My glasses snapped somehow while Sofia and I struggled to steer the kayak, but #itsfine. The view and experience of being out in the lake was worth! 

 The lunch we had at the same cafe we got the drinks was just as delicious as the drinks. Best meal yet I've had at Guatemala! We left for Xela after lunch, and the view of the lake on the way up was absolutely incredible. I feel like I'm describing the view so inadequately, but there really are no words to describe the nature of Guatemala. Really gonna miss the beautiful scenery!



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