Buenas noches!
Hello everybody!
Ethan and I have been super busy as always! Like I briefly explained in our last post, Ethan and I went on a trip last week to Volcano Santiaguito and then to a very beautiful lake called Lake Atitlan. Here are the pictures!
Volcano Santiaguito is one of the most active volcanoes here in Guatemala. The place we went to is not open to tourists, so it was a privilege to get to go see it so close. We went with a group called INSIVUMEH which is a government organization here in Guatemala which helps monitor the volcanoes here. We spent the night at the observatory of the volcano and then rode in the back of a pick up through coffee farms to the lava flowing out of the volcano (fun fact: the coffee farm we drove through produces coffee for Starbucks). Overall we were able to get to approximately 4km (2.5 miles) from the top!
Ethan and I have been super busy as always! Like I briefly explained in our last post, Ethan and I went on a trip last week to Volcano Santiaguito and then to a very beautiful lake called Lake Atitlan. Here are the pictures!
Volcano Santiaguito is one of the most active volcanoes here in Guatemala. The place we went to is not open to tourists, so it was a privilege to get to go see it so close. We went with a group called INSIVUMEH which is a government organization here in Guatemala which helps monitor the volcanoes here. We spent the night at the observatory of the volcano and then rode in the back of a pick up through coffee farms to the lava flowing out of the volcano (fun fact: the coffee farm we drove through produces coffee for Starbucks). Overall we were able to get to approximately 4km (2.5 miles) from the top!
Vicky standing outside of the observatory of Volcan Santiaguito.
David gazing at the volcano we were going to go see. Volcano Santiaguito is on the left and on the right there is the "mother" volcano called Volcano Santa Maria.
A close up of the volcano we were about to get super close and personal with.
Ethan taking pictures of a channel where lahares (hot water with mud and rocks) and pyroclastic flows (giant clouds of gas and ash) come down from the volcano during an eruption.
The channel
The bottom of the channel. We drove across it to get to the volcano.
Ethan and I in the back of a pick up enjoying the view and being careful of the bumps. Huge pot holes mixed with a hard truck bed equals a sore butt.
The view of the coffee farms we drove through.
Another picture of the beautiful farms.
A close up picture of the volcano. The black streaks coming down from are the active lava flows.
The lava is on either side of the ride in this picture. You can see it steaming!
This is where we were going...
Everyone seeing the craziness that is the lava/volcano combo as well as getting a lesson from the INSIVUMEH gentlemen.
David and Alvaro (from INSIVUMEH) getting very close to the steaming lava flow.
Boys will be boys--climbing on top of the lava with glee!
A view from on top of the lava flow looking down into the ravine.
Ethan and I having a photo shoot on top of lava. No big deal.
The view down to the others who didn't climb up the lava. We were quite high.
This is what a coffee plant looks like. When the buds turn red they are ready to be picked. Harvest on the farm will begin within a month or so. So think of us when you drink Starbucks in the next few months! This could be in your cup! :D
INSIVUMEH also took us to see a site where part of a community was destroyed from a lahar.
This is the swinging bridge that went over the channel.
A portion of a community used to be here before it was wiped out after an eruption.
The group on the bridge.
Our next stop, Lake Atitlan! It is so beautiful and I cannot wait until we can go back! It's everything you could want--beauty, relaxing, and AMAZING!
Views from the lake!
Our view at breakfast!
Ethan enjoying some coffee with the view. It was a tough morning of work.
Vicky and her cup of joe.
David enjoying his coffee and first experience at Lake Atitlan.
In order to get around the small communities around the lake, they have these little carts. They are called Tuc-tucs.
Ethan and I at an overlook on a hike. We only got lost 5 different times, but we finally made our way to our destination!
One of the small cities around the lake called Santa Cruz.
The amazing scenery!!!
So many pictures of the lake!
We actually did go to the lake for a reason. We met up with another government organization called CONRED who took us around to look at landslide potentials. This was one of them, during the rainy season this location has debris flows which come down and cover the road and cause a lot of problems.
The first site we saw.
More pictures. The boys and Vicky working!
Everyone talking about the projects.
Besides this trip, Ethan and I have officially submitted all our paperwork for our legal documents! WHOOHOO!!! Now it's a waiting game, but the steps are officially being taken! :D
In other news, there was a huge landslide here in Guatemala City last night. Investigations are currently underway, but the most recent reports say there are 20 people dead, 25 people injured, approximately 600 people missing, and 129 people displaced. It's very tragic and if everyone could please keep those affected and their families and friends in your hearts, prayers, and thoughts during this time.
Below is a link of an aerial video of the landslide.
https://www.facebook.com/conredgt/videos/10153615250760349/
We hope all is well.
We love you all!
