PROPOSED GODPARENT TRIP JANUARY 10-19, 2011:

Several godparents have asked about visiting their becadas. Therefore I am organizing a trip for January 2011.

This trip is for the adventurous. It is NOT a five star hotel trip. They don't exist in Coatepeque. We also do not want to give the wrong impression to the girls. We are visiting them, not the rare world above them.

Hotels will be clean and safe. Restaurants are places I have confidence in.


ITINERARY

Jan 10th:
travel to Guatemala (There is an overnight option that arrives about 6AM the 11th. NO LATER ARRIVAL PLEASE)

Jan 11th:
Travel to Coatepeque, passing Pacaya volcano, through cane fields at harvest time, viewing major volcanos El Agua, El Fuego, Atitlan, Sta Maria, Santiagoguito, etc, clouds permitting. After a lunch stop, we will visit coastal ruins at El Asintal

Jan 12th and 13th:
depending on the English class of your becada, you will visit her class and her home on alternate days. This is a very special opportunity to see how she lives and appreciate our blessings.

Jan 14th:
We will visit Irtra's XOCOMIL, the world's number one water park in 2009. This is a concept we do not have in the US. The becadas look forward to this annual event. visit http://www.irtra.org.gt/

Jan 15th:
Early morning departure to Panajachel and the world's most beautiful lake, Atitlan. We will stop to see active Santiaguito volcano. After arrival, we will boat across the lake to Mayan village Santiago Atitlan.

Jan 16th:
Early rising to visit Chichicastenango's incredible Sunday market. For those willing and able, we can visit the 1000 year old Mayan religious site Cerro Maya. We will return in the afternoon to Panachel

Jan 17th:
We will drive to World Heritage site, Antigua. The day in Antigua, visiting the ruins and walking the streets of this colonial center of Spanish America. This was the administrative center for lands north into Mexico to Colombia. We will drive back to the B&B late that afternoon.

Jan 18th. Antigua visiting the ruins and enjoying the central park. We will travel back to the B&B late afternoon

COST ESTIMATE:

Spirit does not take scholarship funds for this trip. While the daily expenses can be fairly accurately estimated, the transportation depends on number of participants. Therefore, costs will run from $625 (6 people) to $575 (9 people) per person plus airfare. If there is space available and you would like your becada to join us during the trip to the highlands, the cost for her will be $240.

There are limits to the number of people we can accomodate, as transportation is a limiting factor. So if you are interested, please reserve early.

You will be asked to take two medications for your safety, Anti-malarial pills (provided) and one CIPRO daily as prevention to bacteria your stomach is not accustomed to. You can bring these or purchase them in Guatemala.