Last Day in Xela

        Sadly, today we had our last day in Xela with our host families. In the morning the group went to a cooperative called "Trama". This cooperative allows indigenous women in Guatemala to sell their traditional woven products. However, unlike the street vendors these women are given a fair price for their work. The cooperative aims to eliminate the middleman that usually receives most of the profit. Therefore, the women directly make money from the products they make in order to support their families. During our time at the cooperative we watched an informational video about the organization and each of us had the opportunity to learn to weave on our own. At first it was difficult to master the technique, but the women teaching us were very patient, and we were eventually able to work on our own! We were so comfortable talking to the women that we found ourselves joking with one another. It was an amazing experience. We also had the opportunity to buy beautiful hand-woven products from their store!
       When we came back from the weaving cooperative we had to say our final goodbyes to our host families. It was an emotional morning, and each of us will not forget the memories we made with our families. We continue to be in awe of the openness and hospitality of our families to let us into their homes as strangers and treat us like their own. MaryLauren and I shared a special moment with our host family moments before we left. We tried on the traditional dress and took pictures with our host family. It was very difficult to say goodbye to these families who were so loving. Although we had only known them for a few days, we felt so welcome in their home and we will truly miss them. After leaving Xela we then traveled to Panajachel. Although we haven't been here long, we are already in love. Panajachel has a beautiful view of Lake Atitlan and is bustling with street vendors. We even had a chance to bargain and roam the markets on our own! We ended the day with a delicious dinner and final reflections on all we have learned during our cultural immersion week. Our first week in Guatemala has truly been an experience we will never forget. We not only learned about the culture through our home stays and various tours, but we also became closer to one another. We can't wait to see what the second half of our trip holds for us!

MaryLauren and Libby