Lago Atitlan s back!

I did a verbal presentation on Lago Atitlan in Spanish class last semester. It focused on the bacteria that has grown in the lake causing it to turn green. The bacteria was feeding on the extra nutrients that were collecting in the lake from sewage and dirt. I was very interested in seeing the Lake Atitlan and seeing how it looked now. On the 2 hour van ride, I saw signs saying Lago Atitlan was back. I saw what they meant when I saw how clear and blue the water was! It was very pretty.
Once we arrived we checked into our hotel (I went on the tour with the school). Then we went on a 30 minute boat ride across the lake to another town called Santiago Atitlan. There were many indigenous people. As we passed the central park we stopped to admire a model of the lake. Many women in this town also wore the traditional dress which was different than in Antigua. Many carried a shawl over their shoulders which could be used to shade their faces from the sun or carry things in. Some woment even had on hats that looked like fabric wrapped around their heads. The men wore shorts with designs or even red stripes on them. It kind of reminded me of clowns or tropical shorts. I should have some pictures of the typical dress. That evening we went back to Panajachel for dinner at a restaurante where kids played the marimbas. The owners daughters, son and niece played for us while we ate. It was very cool. I also learned how the mayans made the marimba. Did you know that if it was quite and only the marimbas were playing you could hear them for miles?!
Sunday we drove an hour to Chichicastenango to see Guatemala’s biggest market. We saw the church and people praying to a few saints inside. We also learned a little about shamans who are like witch doctors or the spiritual advisors to the town. They are not related to God because most people wo believe in the shaman do not believe in God because the shaman acts as their God. I did learn though that there are even Catholic shamen but I am unclear how that was possible even though it was explained to me extensivly.
After the 2 hour ride back to Antigua, Deanna, another student, Sherry, and I went to mass at the cathedral in Plaza Central. I had experienced mass many times in Peru, but it was Deanna’s first time . I did learn a lot from Sherry about the Catholic faith that I did not realize from my other experiences. It was a neat experience to see another form of worship.
Other than that I have not been too busy. School is still going well. I changed teachers and now have one that corrects my pronunciation. We end up conversing more that studying grammar but I guess that is why it is wise to change teachers once in a while so you learn different things. Its been quite interesting and fun. My family is great as well. Right now it is only Margie, (from MN), Jacob (from FL and has been here one week and will be in the house one week more) and I. Alexi from Canada left for another village to work with kids on Sunday. We still get to see him once in a while since he likes to do some of the activities with La Union. He is only about a ten minute bus ride away. Hope every one has been doing well. Thanks for the prayers!