Written by: Mackenzie Champagne
Today began with the anticipation of a new adventure. After weeks of hard work, we were finally getting the chance to relax. It felt rewarding to wake up knowing that I had earned this break. We all eagerly talked about our excitement to see the beauty of Lake Atitlán. Captain Lennon had been going on and on about how stunning it would be, but no amount of exaggeration or pictures from Google could have prepared us for the breathtaking view that awaited us later in the day.
Before the real adventure could begin, though, we had a few things to take care of—mainly breakfast. As usual, Violetta hosted, and she treated us to a delicious French toast with fresh fruit. When I saw that this was going to be my first meal of the day, I couldn’t help but smile. I knew right then that today was going to be a good one. After fueling up, it was time to head back to the hostel to do a final check and make sure I had all the essentials for a day at the lake. Once we were ready, the professors gathered us for a quick debrief before we hit the road.
Captain Lennon informed us that Professor Cadwalader would be riding with us on the “cool kids” bus, where he’d entertain us with his dad jokes during the 2.5-hour ride to the lake. I made the unfortunate decision to sit in the back, so I missed out on the jokes—an oversight I would regret for the rest of the ride. At 9:00 a.m., we departed and began our trek to Lake Atitlán. The drive seemed long, but as I looked out the window, I saw various parts of Guatemala. Some areas were surprisingly similar to parts of the U.S., with towns that could easily have been mistaken for small American villages. We passed many people selling fruits and vegetables by the roadside, and it reminded me once again of how hard the people here work to support their families.
About 30 minutes from the lake, we caught our first glimpse of its beauty. It was just a small peak, but it was enough to stir up excitement. The anticipation built, and after what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at the lake. Honestly, I was speechless. The view was so stunning, I knew there was a good chance I would never see anything quite like it again. I tilted my face toward the sky, soaking in the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze coming off the lake. I was ecstatic for the next few days—I was on vacation!
We hopped onto a boat to head to the village where we’d be staying, Santa Cruz. Captain Lennon explained that there were 13 villages around the lake, and they were all only accessible by boat, which were like the “chicken buses” of Antigua. He also shared some local lore about how the lake had once been stocked with large bass in an effort to turn it into a fishing destination. However, the bass ended up ruining the ecosystem—a fascinating story to pass the time as we made our way to our next hostel.
When we finally arrived at La Iguana Perdida, the hostel, I was immediately struck by its eccentric charm. It was the kind of place where it would be easy to unwind and relax. There were hammocks scattered around, and we quickly claimed our spots. After checking in, we spent some time just taking in the view. Some of us played pool, while others took a leisurely stroll around the area.
Dinner was soon served, and it was delicious—stir-fry with rice. It was the perfect way to end the day. We were all looking forward to what was next, and there was talk of possibly cliff jumping the next day.