When we arrived at the dock, we boarded four tuk-tuks that took us to the Atitlan Nature Reserve, where we would zip line. It was a fun cramped ride, with the three wheeled tuk-tuks taking tight turns and weaving through traffic. It had a similar feel to riding a bumper car, but on bumpy roads and scaling steep ascents.
When we made it to the reserve, we were met with a sign that listed the animals that could be found and where. To the bottommost left was a yeti that could be found on the left path 8,700 kilometers away and Nessie that could be found by taking the right path for a similar distance. There was also an assortment of animals that could actually be found there, such as monkeys and butterflies. We then went inside and we all agreed to go on the long zip line that spanned the water. When that was done we had some time before our guides would be back to take us up the mountain. So we all went up to see the monkeys, before coming back down to the reserve to wait. Some of us went to see the butterfly garden and when we returned we met someone else who was going to go zip lining with us, Sam. She is an environmental science major, and came to Guatemala ahead of an internship in Honduras. We adopted her into our group after talking with her while we waited to get ready. Then our guides arrived, and we were put into our harnesses and given the safety explanation in Spanish. There was a glove with a thick pad of leather that we would hold onto the cable as we sailed along it. We would have to clamp down on the cable, and it would slow us down. There was a short 20 foot cable that we practiced on before we hiked up to the zip line.
The hike was difficult in the thinner air, and it was a workout before we made it to the top. There were several bridges that spanned a small creek that flowed down the mountain side. We crossed the bridges six at a time, and it was quite wobbly if you didn’t stick to the center. It provided a nice view of the waterfall when we made it to that bridge. We took a small break at a rest area, and then continued on for the rest of the way. At the top was an amazing view of the city and lake below. The lake was too large to see across, and so it faded into the distance in cloud and fog. The second line was the longest in terms of time, and some folks would not make it to the end without help. Those who stopped fairly close to the end could pull themselves the rest of the way, but if it was too far, the guide would attach himself to it cable and climb along it, and the person would hold on as the guide pulled them back to land. The third line was the longest cable, but it was shorter in terms of time because it was a steeper and faster drop. Braking was required, and it took more concentration than ones where it wasn’t necessary. The glove would grow a bit warm when applied to the cable. Each ride was recorded on action cameras, so that we could see the view of the lake from the line as we rode above it. The last couple rides were a bit rushed as it started to rain, but we made it all back safely.
When we had finished taking off all the gear, we had some Xela Pan-style bread and quickly walked to the tuk-tuks that were waiting for us below. They took us back to the dock where we started, and again we saw the lake from other side. We walked through the market until three, when we had to go back. The vendors lined the street and we saw some of the same items that were in San Lucas Toliman, and some different wares. There were large bags, Poke ball hackysacks, paintings, and chess sets. Mixed in amongst the stores were a few restaurants. Due to more tourism in the area, the prices varied for particular items and bargaining was important. When we finished, we went to the boat and returned to San Lucas Toliman. Before dinner we played some Uno, and then had a dinner of Chow Mein, salad, and rolls. Tomorrow we have our last full day at the San Lucas Toliman Mission before we return to the US.
-Zeke and Kendall
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