Guatemala - Lake Atitlan

By chance, the friend I had planned to meet on arrival to Guatemala was out of the country, forcing me to take an unexpected week in Antigua. I am so grateful for the change of events and it became super clear super fast that it was indeed a blessing and not a curse. However, now my friend is due to return so I set off on the 2 hour bus trip to meet her at Lake Atitlan where she is working as Director at the Mystical Yoga Farm.

Myself and other travellers drive through mountainous scenery until the 'land before time' comes into view. Volcano after magnificent volcano surround a massive body of water. Lake Atitlan, meaning 'at the water' in the local indigenous Nahuatl language is the deepest lake in Central America and said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. I board a small boat and hit the choppy waves. Water sprays in my face as we motor for half an hour in the direction of one of the large volcanoes called San Pedro. And then I see it: the dock and Bali-style yoga hut of the Mystical Yoga Farm that I had sighted on line. A bare chested, green-eyed Max greets me at the dock.

 

 
It is beautiful here, but I miss Antigua! One early morning I sit on the dock and practice letting go of the attachment of one place and being more in the moment, by lovingly writing down the names of all the people in Antigua I connected with and then writing the names of the new people at the Farm along side. Appreciation and readiness to move on. The lake welcomes me with open arms, her waves lapping at my feet and spirit embracing my soul. I am so impressed by the magnificence. Unusual birds call and the dock sways with each wave that bounces on its pylons.

 

I board a boat and head to one of the neighbouring lake villages named San Marcos. It is even more surreal. Walking paths weave up from the lake to various hostels and restaurants. I spy hippy looking girls holding hands inside the walled garden of a yoga retreat. That night, I pass an indigenous woman on the path, walking with a basket on her head and baby on her front. I light her way with my torch. I meet Canadian travellers Ciara and Kristin and we sit in a sweet french cafe while the owner plays a cute french tune. We swim in the cool, pure waters. I am feeling completely happy.

I travel back to the Farm and meet with Michelle. She wakes up all at the Farm with a gorgeously beautiful tune on her flute at 5.30am. We head down to the dock and meditate as the sun rises. From here, we move to the Yoga hut or Shala and practice for 1.5 hours. Her instruction strengthens my body. After 9 months of restricted activity since my car accident, it is wonderful to be feeling my core strengthen again along, of course, with my mind. I love you Michelle, thank you.

 

Meditation on the dock

Michelle and I studied the Permaculture Certificate III course together in Byron during 2011. She is directing all elements of the Farm including the Yoga and Permaculture elements. I help at the Farm by creating a Permaculture Garden Guide of the productive spaces and integrating the developments that are desired and breaking it down into periodical tasks. Everyone helps and we are happy with the result.

One day Michelle and I take a boat to Santiago, across the lake, it is a festival day and everyone is wearing their best Wipels and hand woven skirts. We jump onto the tray of a ute and head past the festival (I notice a float promoting recycling) and we head to the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (IMAP) - a Permaculture Farm that integrates the science with Mayan spirituality. We learn and assist to put in a simple grey water recycling system for a local family which directs water from the outdoor sink into a 6 foot deep hole filled with organic matter. Around the circumference of the hole, we plant water purifying plants such as edible banana and a non-edible taro. Each year, the hole will need to be refilled with organic matter such as grass clippings and weeds. I meet and play with the children of the family - this grounds and connects me while sending my spirit soaring like the eagles circling above.

 

IMAP's Co-Founder Ronaldo Lec Ajcot shares Mayan wisdom and belief that water is life 

Harvesting bananas for the grey water recycling banana circle