A view of Santa Maria from the Orphanage we worked at
We started out on our trek early in the morning around 4 with three tour guides that I reserved under the request of the professors. Each one of the guides proved to be extremely friendly, beneficial, and knowledgeable. As our group set out my friend Amanda decided to back down and return to the hotel after her allergies and asthma really kicked in. The youngest guide named Edgar volunteered to take Amanda back to the base of the volcano and ensure her safe return to the hotel. Edgar was a cute guy I must say. He was twenty years old and had two kids already with his wife!
Our group carried on with our remaining two guides. Edwin who was the eldest and most experienced of the guides charged ahead with Andrew, Steve, Nancy, Joe, Adrienne, Justin, Lady Grey and Black, and I. Lady Grey and Black was a stray dog who, according to Edwin, journeyed everyday up Santa Maria with the various groups who came through. She inspired confidence in us all with her not so healthy stature but irrefutable confidence and determination. It served her well as she managed to share lunch with everyone at the top of the volcano.
Our lead the pack as we scaled the steep and very torn up path up the side of Santa Maria and ended up being about twenty minuets ahead of the remaining two parts of our group. It was a real blessing to be climbing alongside Edwin who told us the story of how Gringo came to be. From the perspective of Latin Nations the term gringo came into being as a result of the Mexican American war. The term really came into prevalence though when U.S. forces became synonymous with their army green uniforms. Using this relation of an entire people to a color the phrase “Green Go” became a popular chant against American military imperialism. As with all cultures, slang then developed to shorten the phrase and allow our true laziness to shine through. The phrase “Green Go” soon became Gringo thus ushering in a new era of racial profiling.
My group half way up the volcano!
The second guide, Hacir, walked with Samantha, Julie, and Lizzie. As we learned later, Hacir not only climbs volcanoes everyday but also finds in his spare time amongst the clouds the drive to open his own coffee shop. Coincidentally enough his shop opened the following day and we were the first to receive a map and invitation to attend. Hacir seemed extremely nice and loved to practice his English with Sam and Julie.
Edgar, after scaling all the way back down a portion of the volcano, managed to work his way back up and lead Shirley and Jessie up the long and perilous side of Santa Maria. She, being Santa Maria, is quite the well toned and curved lady haha. She also proved to be littered with lies such as the rock that said “20 mins from here” when really it meant around an hour!
Like in that wonderful Miley Cyrus song we all know and love: The Climb, it was not about reaching the top or seeing what was on the other side, this journey was about the climb. We as a group grew together, suffered together, bit the dirt together, and succeeded together in reaching high above the clouds. Upon reaching the summit of Santa Maria I couldn’t help but embrace what I think was the presence of God. The air was moist and crisp, the scenery more beautiful than I could ever express in words, and the joy and pride I saw in the faces of my closest amigos brought me to a state of peace I have not felt for sometime. I could have spent the whole day in that moment and have been ok with it. I understand now why mountain tops are considered sacred and heavenly spaces in the many spiritualities of this world we call Earth.
The views from the top!
The trip back down the Volcano was quick and restful compared to the climb up but also caused many to trip and fall at least a few times. I managed to keep my good footing the whole time down but instead was swatted by underbrush that very unkindly refused to move out of the way of my face. Shirley had a nervous breakdown on the way back down the volcano. She just wanted to be done with the journey since she has both a great fear of animals and a great fear of nature. I am so proud of her for making the trip though and conquering her fear. Overall the journey is a defining moment for us all on our adventure through Guatemala. Never have I seen the group so united, so strong, and so thankful for a nice warm and comfortable bed haha. It is far from the last of such adventures though I am sure. Everyday is a new day full of potential and lessons to help us grow.
It sounds like you guys are having a great time! This post reminds me of when we climbed a mountain in Colorado at Young Life camp last year. It was a great experience and I felt God there, too. I love reading about your adventures and I hope that your final days in Guatemala are memorable ones. Can't wait to hear more when you come home :)
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