Sunday - exploring Antigua...

What an awesome day. We began bright and early with a 6:30am breakfast of delicious Guatemalan coffee, papaya, yogurt, granola, fresh pineapple juice, and pancakes. Who could ask for a better way to begin a day of adventures?! Rolando and Darvy, our personal tour guides from Guatemala, guided us all around town. We began our day overlooking all of Antigua -- absolutely beautiful (see below). The vans dropped us off behind the cross overlook and we walked to the cross and to the wall to overlook the city. It was very cloudy and we could hardly see the volcano Agua directly in front of us.

Funny story of the day:
One of our tour guides, Rilando, began a photo-op trend -- jumping off a very small cement block making it look like we were jumping high above the city! (no worries parents, we were totally safe! )

(from L to R -Katie flying high, the entire group making the Xavier 'X' in front of the cross overlooking Antigua, the entire group at the cross overlook with Antigua in the background, Rachel 'X'ing it up while mid air)



We then ventured to the Cathedral, in downtown Antigua, for service, where we experienced the language and culture of the local people. The Cathedral is surrouned by ruins built in 1555, which have been destroyed by earthquakes. Currently the people of Antigua are rebuilding the ruins and is now open as a museum. A tour guide from the ruins stayed with us and then took us to La Iglesia de Santa Hermano Pedro (The Church of Hermano Pedro). Hermano Pedro (Brother Peter) became a saint in 2002, though was alive many centuries ago and known for healing those in need. There were many artifacts and thank you notes from individuals who reported being healed through the intercession of Hermano Pedro.

(from L to R - the students and the Cathedral ruins, the entire group in the ruins, a view of Antigua)


We were able to eat our pb&j and snacks (lime 'fritos', strawberry banana juice, and cookies with coconut flavored marshmellows) for lunch on the chapel of the grounds for Hermano Pedro, and visit the museum to see these artifacts and the grounds. Our group with our tour guide then went to San Domingo grounds & finished our guided tour with a trip to the Jade museum. Jade is a precious stone mined in Guatemala, and is found in more colors than just green (rainbow and lavendar). Our adventures ended with a shopping spree at one of the largest Jesuit mercados (market) in Antigua -- where we all left with wonderful finds!
























(from L to R - Stephanie learning how to swaddle a baby in a Guatemalan sling , the entire group at the church in Casa de Santo Domingo - a 5-star Guatemalan hotel - which would cost you $40,000 to rent for a wedding).



Mission of the day:

Fatten up the skinny dogs of Antigua
"Try it, then give it to the dogs."


We're all having so much fun but our adventures are exhausting. The real adventures begin tomorrow with our first visit to the orphananges. We will be splitting into 2 groups (sensory & wheelchair positioning) and venturing out to two orphanages where we will follow up with children/families from the year prior, as well as meet new children and families. Stay tuned for more info!

Buenas noches!

Rachael (student), Kelly (therapist), & Stephanie (therapist)