Today we went to the school which was down a very steep hill and when we arrived I was shocked, it is three classrooms made out of breeze blocks and corrugated iron roof held up with small wood beams, wait for the pictures! The lady wanted us to paint the hall but I said we thought it would be more beneficial for the kids if we painted the classrooms so thats what were doing. Weve only painted white base coats so far but it was really difficult! By 12:30ish we were all tired so left and went for lunch. I shared nachos, egg fried rice with chicken and banana bread with Alex at an amazing cafe. We now have a free afternoon where I shall attempt to explore Nebaj and hopefully buy an extra tshirt because wearing the same clothes is a bit mind numbing!
Tomorrow saturday and sunday we are doing more painting then monday and tuesday we are helping out at the 2 year anniversary of the school so hopefully lots of music and dancing! I spoke to a couple of the kida who live there today and they are soo cute. There was also a crazy drunk woman who tried to get into the school and we were all quite freaked out by that.
So... what else... I have been spending lots of time dreaming about what I will do on the day I get back and it seems that shower and then breakfast at the Arches! I have to say I have definitley missed your cooking mummy! Even though we have eaten pretty well here and Ive only had to put up with the chlostrephobic tent for 3 nights. The hostel were staying in is really nice and the town is surrounded by mountains which is pretty different to home.
Love you all loads xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Back from the trek
Ok, to start with I have realised that the itinerary I have at home is the old one and there is a new one which is the one we are following at the moment.
The trek was... an experience! We walked for about 4 hours the first day and it wasnt that bad because I didnt get altitude sickness and by the time I got to the camp site I was so ecstatic for making it! So we set up camp and all of these local children spent much time staring at us and we were all so white and pasty! We set up our tents and had pasta and bolognaise for dinner. I am sharing a very small two man tent with a girl called Alice who is really nice. The next day we had a pancake mix, porrige, egg and hot chocolate concoxtion for breakfast which Dr Mckpeake (Peaky/Stuart) made which was suprisingly nicce. He then strapped the remaining eggs to the back iof my rucksack and they dripped onto my fleece all day so we now refer to my fleece as the salmonela fleece! So after that we packed up and we started going back down as we were going to come back to the town of Nebaj as Alex and Miss. Sleggs (Tara) had to go back to the town and we hadnt heard if they were ok but then we heard they were and loads of people wanted to go back home but some of us wanted to climb the mountain and in the end we did even though some were a bit grumpy.
It was hard but totally amazing to climb it and I was so proud of myself! That night we camped in a small village and all you could see was sky tops of mountains and clouds. However there were some seriously annoying children who peed on our tents and stole things from us! There were also lots of dogs. In the middle of the night I had to get up and go to the toilet which was a long walk away and all the dogs were barking and when I was at the toiulet which was a little shed with a hole in the ground and a plasticy curtain you had to hold I heard something or someone walking around the outside which was pretty scary but I never saw anyone. When I came back to the tent there were loads of dogs and they were really close and once I got back in my tent buddy Alice said she had never been so scared in her life!
The next day we walked across the mountains and I peed behind a rock which was fun it seemed like we walked forever and then we had to go down the mountain and I have to say that day (tues 29th) was possibly the worst day of my life! I have never been so physically, mentally challenged or scared and we all agreed after that it was really dangerous. It started hailing and everything and I can now say I have been down the side of a mountain on my bum as I seemed to fall over so much! To make things worse on the mountain I have really hurt my knee since being here and the strain on it hurt so much and even when walking on the flat at the end I was walking so slowly because it hurt so much! I have to say I have never felt so battered, bruised and dirty in my whole life.
Today we woke up and were told we would get the bus the whole way back to the town of Nebaj but instead we had to walk for 2 hours and it was mostly downhill. We stopped at a waterfall and originally I was happy just looking at it but then Leonie and Peaky pulled me up to go stand by it and it was so lovely and cool! After that Peaky carried both mine and his rucksack as I could hardly walk with mine which was so kind and unnecessary of him but made it easier on my knee. We finally got to the bus and made it b ack to Nebaj and I had a lovely shower even though I had to pull on my dirty trousers again! Tomorrow we are starting working the school and ive heard its pretty basic but im excited as its the thing ive been most looking forward to.
I´m taking it easy on my knee and hoping it will sort itself out soonish Peaky said as long as I can bend it it should be fine. Despite lots of time in the hot sun my tan doesnt seem to be coming along well. We also have a sun cream obsessor in our group who constantly checks up on if weve been using it or not. Everyone in the group is really nice and ive definitely learnt not to judge a book by its cover on this trip so far.
Just to say missing you all and wish you were here, everyday I think of everybody and how I miss you and also how I miss food- haha no suprises theere! Thanks for the comments, I love them! Dont forget to look for the other itinerary, you can ask Mum for the address and password of the wc website.
Love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The trek was... an experience! We walked for about 4 hours the first day and it wasnt that bad because I didnt get altitude sickness and by the time I got to the camp site I was so ecstatic for making it! So we set up camp and all of these local children spent much time staring at us and we were all so white and pasty! We set up our tents and had pasta and bolognaise for dinner. I am sharing a very small two man tent with a girl called Alice who is really nice. The next day we had a pancake mix, porrige, egg and hot chocolate concoxtion for breakfast which Dr Mckpeake (Peaky/Stuart) made which was suprisingly nicce. He then strapped the remaining eggs to the back iof my rucksack and they dripped onto my fleece all day so we now refer to my fleece as the salmonela fleece! So after that we packed up and we started going back down as we were going to come back to the town of Nebaj as Alex and Miss. Sleggs (Tara) had to go back to the town and we hadnt heard if they were ok but then we heard they were and loads of people wanted to go back home but some of us wanted to climb the mountain and in the end we did even though some were a bit grumpy.
It was hard but totally amazing to climb it and I was so proud of myself! That night we camped in a small village and all you could see was sky tops of mountains and clouds. However there were some seriously annoying children who peed on our tents and stole things from us! There were also lots of dogs. In the middle of the night I had to get up and go to the toilet which was a long walk away and all the dogs were barking and when I was at the toiulet which was a little shed with a hole in the ground and a plasticy curtain you had to hold I heard something or someone walking around the outside which was pretty scary but I never saw anyone. When I came back to the tent there were loads of dogs and they were really close and once I got back in my tent buddy Alice said she had never been so scared in her life!
The next day we walked across the mountains and I peed behind a rock which was fun it seemed like we walked forever and then we had to go down the mountain and I have to say that day (tues 29th) was possibly the worst day of my life! I have never been so physically, mentally challenged or scared and we all agreed after that it was really dangerous. It started hailing and everything and I can now say I have been down the side of a mountain on my bum as I seemed to fall over so much! To make things worse on the mountain I have really hurt my knee since being here and the strain on it hurt so much and even when walking on the flat at the end I was walking so slowly because it hurt so much! I have to say I have never felt so battered, bruised and dirty in my whole life.
Today we woke up and were told we would get the bus the whole way back to the town of Nebaj but instead we had to walk for 2 hours and it was mostly downhill. We stopped at a waterfall and originally I was happy just looking at it but then Leonie and Peaky pulled me up to go stand by it and it was so lovely and cool! After that Peaky carried both mine and his rucksack as I could hardly walk with mine which was so kind and unnecessary of him but made it easier on my knee. We finally got to the bus and made it b ack to Nebaj and I had a lovely shower even though I had to pull on my dirty trousers again! Tomorrow we are starting working the school and ive heard its pretty basic but im excited as its the thing ive been most looking forward to.
I´m taking it easy on my knee and hoping it will sort itself out soonish Peaky said as long as I can bend it it should be fine. Despite lots of time in the hot sun my tan doesnt seem to be coming along well. We also have a sun cream obsessor in our group who constantly checks up on if weve been using it or not. Everyone in the group is really nice and ive definitely learnt not to judge a book by its cover on this trip so far.
Just to say missing you all and wish you were here, everyday I think of everybody and how I miss you and also how I miss food- haha no suprises theere! Thanks for the comments, I love them! Dont forget to look for the other itinerary, you can ask Mum for the address and password of the wc website.
Love you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Friday, 25 July 2008
Today we climbed the indian peak and I made it with no help which was great and we went slow so I made my own way. I slipped and slid on my bum a few times but that was very amusing. We rode home in the back of a pickup truck which was so much fun and a lifelong ambition.
Sorry it short, I think Im getting dihorrea and dont know when i can next write. Good luck for interview lew and well done on tan chelsea! Loving you all loads the real hard work starts soon... xxxxxxxxxxx
Sorry it short, I think Im getting dihorrea and dont know when i can next write. Good luck for interview lew and well done on tan chelsea! Loving you all loads the real hard work starts soon... xxxxxxxxxxx
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Travel day and trek
Yesterday we travelled from Antigua by bus to a place which had a funny name and then got a boat to Lake Atitlan. The boat was great myself and a girl called beth had our arms hanging out the whole time and got soaked!
We are staying at a hostel which costs about a pound a night and it has hammocks! Last night I slept with my mossie net and it kept sticking to my face- lovely.
Today we went on a trek 7miles apparently and we took it slow and it was nice just to take in the lake and the surrounding mountains, its all so very green. I have become quite good friends with a couple of the girls and do get on well with them all despite the odd annoying comment. Getting used to calling the teachers by their first names if weird but its quite satisfying! The team leader leslie is very nice and looking out for me.
Tonight we are apparently having a talent show combined with chocolate fondue. Tomorrow we are going to climb the Indian toe peak or something with a similar name. We are not climbing it all however so I should be fine. Im excited about getting to the top to feel the buzz and feel proud of myself.
I am looking forward to the school phase as I think that will be a real life changing experience and also seeing the tikal ruins.
Loads of love to everyone wish you were here to share this with me. Well done James on finishing juniors, enjoy summer xxx
We are staying at a hostel which costs about a pound a night and it has hammocks! Last night I slept with my mossie net and it kept sticking to my face- lovely.
Today we went on a trek 7miles apparently and we took it slow and it was nice just to take in the lake and the surrounding mountains, its all so very green. I have become quite good friends with a couple of the girls and do get on well with them all despite the odd annoying comment. Getting used to calling the teachers by their first names if weird but its quite satisfying! The team leader leslie is very nice and looking out for me.
Tonight we are apparently having a talent show combined with chocolate fondue. Tomorrow we are going to climb the Indian toe peak or something with a similar name. We are not climbing it all however so I should be fine. Im excited about getting to the top to feel the buzz and feel proud of myself.
I am looking forward to the school phase as I think that will be a real life changing experience and also seeing the tikal ruins.
Loads of love to everyone wish you were here to share this with me. Well done James on finishing juniors, enjoy summer xxx
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Volcan Pacaya
Today was an interesting day, not great! We got the bus to the volcano and I was soooo excited because I have been desperately wanting to go up the volcano but when we got there it all sort of went wrong. Firstly we walked really fast up the first bit and my breath was so heavy, it was so difficult to breath and soon I decided to buy a horse with a couple of the other girls to take me up because I felt SO SICK! My horse was called Cantador and the man Alun we also had a tour guide called Julio. Riding on the horse was really great and made me feel a lot better even though I did want to climb it by foot. I know I wouldve been able to but at my own pace not their super speed!
When we got to the top we saw the volcano and it was amazing! All dried lava and it was beautiful! Then we walked for 500metres on this dried lava and it was so difficult for me as the guide said if you fall youll cut yourself and I twisted my ankle so many times and found it really really difficult sadly. I didnt climb all the way to see the lava because I knew it would be too hard for me as the clumbsy one.
So I did cry a bit on the volcano as I felt like the person who couldnt do things but then I suppose thats ok and hopefully it will get better. I walked down though and it was fine so at least I wasnt too lazy! Ive had a few chats with spanish people which is great, I had a big conversation with the owner of our hostel yesterday *orlando* about our trip and stuff.
Missing everybody loads today and feeling a bit unsure about why im here at the moment. Tomorrow we are travelling to Lake Atilan so I dont know when I will have internet again. Love you all, so much! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When we got to the top we saw the volcano and it was amazing! All dried lava and it was beautiful! Then we walked for 500metres on this dried lava and it was so difficult for me as the guide said if you fall youll cut yourself and I twisted my ankle so many times and found it really really difficult sadly. I didnt climb all the way to see the lava because I knew it would be too hard for me as the clumbsy one.
So I did cry a bit on the volcano as I felt like the person who couldnt do things but then I suppose thats ok and hopefully it will get better. I walked down though and it was fine so at least I wasnt too lazy! Ive had a few chats with spanish people which is great, I had a big conversation with the owner of our hostel yesterday *orlando* about our trip and stuff.
Missing everybody loads today and feeling a bit unsure about why im here at the moment. Tomorrow we are travelling to Lake Atilan so I dont know when I will have internet again. Love you all, so much! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monday, 21 July 2008
Buenos dias!
We have arrived saffetly. The plane rides were ok, the 9 hour to Texas was fine, watched lots of films and ate some very nice food suprisingly. The layover at Texas was also ok but we all made plans to escape and hitch hike as we were all afraid of our fate! However the short plane ride to Guatemala allowed some necessary sleep and I even slept through us landing!
After we got our bags we got on our bus-coach-van transportation and left Guatemala City to come to Antigua. Even though I was really tired I had to stay awake to read all of the Spanish signs. It was raining really hard on the bus and our bags were on top covered by a tarpoolin which was half hanging off!
The hostel is quite nice, Laura and I sharing our room together. I had to help organise the booking as everyone believes I know a lot of Spanish- they aare wrong! This morning I had a cold shower but hey better than no shower! We went into Antigua to get breakfast and I had some filling pancakes- yummy! After that we went to try and pay for yesterdays transportation but it was all a bit of a mess. We all have $770 of group money which we have to look after in our silly pouches which make my tummy sweaty!
Anyway later the four of us went on a photo walk and looked round a ´mercadito´ and then went on to find nice places to photograph. The town is surrounded by mountains which aare grassy and beautiful. We then went to the market and I bought some lovely freshly sliced mango and a few knock off nigels in spanish.
Tomorrow we are going to the Pacaya volcano and trekking up some of it to see some lava! There are three active volcanoes around and often tremours as we are in ´the ring of fire´. Nothing to worry about apparently!
Having a good time, eaten nice food and sleeping a couple more nights in the hostel then moving on to Lake Atitlan for a shortish trek. I believe we will only be trekking with both rucksacks during our jungle trekks, hopefully because I do not know how long I can handle both of my bags it´s like being obese! My bag weighed 11.2 kilos which was light compared to some- must be my amazing sleeping bag!
After we got our bags we got on our bus-coach-van transportation and left Guatemala City to come to Antigua. Even though I was really tired I had to stay awake to read all of the Spanish signs. It was raining really hard on the bus and our bags were on top covered by a tarpoolin which was half hanging off!
The hostel is quite nice, Laura and I sharing our room together. I had to help organise the booking as everyone believes I know a lot of Spanish- they aare wrong! This morning I had a cold shower but hey better than no shower! We went into Antigua to get breakfast and I had some filling pancakes- yummy! After that we went to try and pay for yesterdays transportation but it was all a bit of a mess. We all have $770 of group money which we have to look after in our silly pouches which make my tummy sweaty!
Anyway later the four of us went on a photo walk and looked round a ´mercadito´ and then went on to find nice places to photograph. The town is surrounded by mountains which aare grassy and beautiful. We then went to the market and I bought some lovely freshly sliced mango and a few knock off nigels in spanish.
Tomorrow we are going to the Pacaya volcano and trekking up some of it to see some lava! There are three active volcanoes around and often tremours as we are in ´the ring of fire´. Nothing to worry about apparently!
Having a good time, eaten nice food and sleeping a couple more nights in the hostel then moving on to Lake Atitlan for a shortish trek. I believe we will only be trekking with both rucksacks during our jungle trekks, hopefully because I do not know how long I can handle both of my bags it´s like being obese! My bag weighed 11.2 kilos which was light compared to some- must be my amazing sleeping bag!
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Build Up Day...
As predicted we seem to have spent a large majority of the day doing very little. We tried out the tents- i am now sharing a two person tent with a girl in year 11 called Alice and she's really nice. We re- packed rucksacks and I thought D of E was bad but this is ridiculous! All of my clothes are coming with me on the airplane and my mosquito net! Leslie (WC team leader) said that when we are trekking we will often leave un-necessary kit in hostels so hopefully that will help.
I'm getting quite excited now :D
I'm getting quite excited now :D
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