Trip Day 1-Running for Frijoles Negros

Hola and Bienvenidos - I have just returned from a wild trek around the country.

It all began innocent enough, loading 30 students and 15 spanish teachers onto a first class bus at 9pm. We were heading to Semuc Champey, with arrival time set at 8 am. We hit that target time at which point we woke up and loaded onto the back of a pickup for a 1 hour trek on a dirt road (45 people in the back of a pickup). At the end we arrived at the national park of Semuc Champey. This is said to be one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala and my most anticipated destination on the trip. The two activities at Semuc met expectations.

First we hiked 30 minutes straight up to a view overlooking blue lagoons cascading into blue lagoons. Then we hiked back down and swam in the lakes. One waterfall led to another lake, and to another. Very clean, secluded, and gorgeous.

Our second activity was at the cuevo, the cave. We toured a cave, one hour in and one hour out, by candlelight! Yes, we had small candles to guide our way. It started by entering the cave with bats flying about. Soon we were far enough in to avoid bats but enjoy a cold swim holding the candle above the water. We climbed over rock formations by small ladders and over waterfalls by rope. At one point we lowered ourselves onto a rock with water flowing over it, dangled and dropped into a dark abyss. The abyss contained a pool so no real problems. The rock formations and darkness, combined with a cold swim make the caves my favorite most incredibly unique adventure to date. I left the cave with one cut on my chin, one on each knee, and on one hand. Evidence of great fun.

At this point we returned to the start and our leaders asked if we wanted to tube down the river.. Ok. We linked to each other with our legs and tubed in a row for 15 minutes downstream. This was the 15 minute ab exercise portion of the trip. Then we took the pickup to a small town for a 4 pm we deserved lunch. This was the first food.. we had a choice of chicken or bistec, with frijoles (beans), rice and tortillas. Delicious menus need not be expansive. All 45 of us ate these 2 choices.

I would like to amend the earlier statement that I do not eat a lot of black beans. I eat a lot of black beans and tortillas. There, I came clean.

The rain began on the last 45 minute leg of the day and we covered the back of the pickup to stay dry. A little hot, yes. A bit like secret mission, yes. A fantastic first day with little food or sleep, absolutely.

I highly recommend Semuk Champey.