Day 8: consisted primarily of visits to projects in the area around San Lucas Toliman. One of these projects was a school funded by the opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti. The Pavarotti school was built with money raised from a concert by the famous Italian singer. He intended to build an artisan center to teach traditional arts and crafts to Guatemalan war orphans.  The school has now become one of the best in San Lucas. Students study the courses of the government-controlled junior high curriculum Mondays to Thursdays in the mornings, but also learn weaving, basketwork, carpentry and computing in the afternoons. There is also a small restaurant in the school that brings in additional funds to help run the place.

The Pavarotti Educational Center

A close-up of the sign

Origami “peace cranes” suspended from the ceiling of the center

A room where traditional forms of hand weaving are taught to Mayan students

The kitchen for the school’s small restaurant

A musical instrument behind the school consisting of hanging bottles with different levels of colored water

Our next stop was an organic forestation project on the edge of San Lucas Toliman. We were met by the project head, Torifrio Chaquil (I’m not sure I got the spelling correct), who took us on a tour of the project. The project has been in operation for almost 30 years, collecting seeds and seedlings from a wide variety of trees native to Guatemala, to be used as firewood, construction, food, soil stabilization, shade for coffee plants, etc. Some of the trees grown in the project include cypress trees (deep roots which are good for soil stabilization), avocado, macadamia, jacaranda, and araucaria. Seeds are planted in slatted boxes, and then the seedlings are transplanted into the soil and allowed to grow. Eventually, the saplings are transported to other parts of Guatemala as needed.

Torifrio Chaquil the head of the reforestation project

Torifrio and Jan, one of the two Sisters serving as our guides. A truly loving, wonderful lady.

Where the tree seedlings are grown

A closer look at the seedlings

We spent the rest of the day traveling to Antigua, a very charming (if rather touristy) city down in the lowlands, with many old buildings and cobblestone streets (which looked picturesque but posed an ankle twisting threat every time you crossed over). Because of the heavy influx of tourists, the city has a wide selection of good restaurants and cafes. The hotel we stayed at was very simple. By this time, although I was thoroughly enjoying the trip, I was missing my own bed back home tremendously. That night we all ate at a restaurant Jeff knew about where the food was excellent. In fact, every meal I had in Antigua was above par. By this time everyone on the trip felt like an old friend, in fact we referred to each other as family. I noticed how much people had softened and opened up since the first day. A real bond had formed amongst our group.