Welcome St. Pat's Parish… and Kurtis!

Welcome Saint Patrick's Parish of Edina, MN!

After so much traveling during the past weeks, it was good to finally settle in back at the monastery again. We didn't have much time, however, before we were blessed with guests. While our friend Casey was visiting for a few days, we prepared a "pseudo-schedule" for the Saint Patrick's Parish group from Edina, MN, that visited the following week. This pilgrimage trip included several fantastic people, including always  smiling Cappy Moore, the director, and my Mom and Aunt Ann! We made sure that we had a full, fun week planned for the crew before meeting up with the whole crew on March 12 at the Guatemala City airport.

The Cave

There was some hiking involved

Because Justin and I have already become very familiar with Cobán and the surrounding area, we were the point-men for the group's tourist activities and excursions. Aside from the many prayer groups, masses, and community meals that were already arranged by Cappy and Father Pedro, Justin and I accompanied the group out to several cool spots in Cobán, including San Jorge Mount (where my profile picture is on Facebook), the marketplace, the monastery's farm, and a day-long excursion to a local aldea for water-filter distribution. Everyone from St. Patrick's brought along gifts for the people of the aldea. My mom even brought a portable printer for printing off photos for people in the community. It was very special observe a group like that visit an aldea for the first time. 

Enjoying an aldea meal

Hair ties were popular with the little Qui'Chi girls

On Friday, we were joined by our good SJU friend Kurtis Nusbaum. Kurtis was looking for an alternative place to spend his spring break, and he thought it no better idea than to fly down to Guatemala and help us with our work. He arrived in time to join the Saint Patrick's group for the most exciting excursions; more specifically, that of Chicoy Cave and Semuc Champey.

After another crazy Saint Patrick's Day filled with green beer and green jello, Justin, Kurtis and I rose late on Sunday March 18 to plan an early trip out to Semuc Champey. We were leaving a away early because we were interested in going swimming and spelunking in Semuc's beautiful caves (not for the feint-hearted). We planned to meet up with the group the next day at the Semuc Champey pools. 

We stayed in Lanquin that night at a fun little hostel called "Zephyr Lodge." Everything with Zephyr works on the "tab" system: I have since found out that the "tab" system and I do not get along very well. Early the next morning, I woke to find a not so kind tab to pay and a very sick Justin. Damn! After I paid my astronomically high bill, Justin stayed back while Kurtis and I jumped into the truck to Semuc.

Tarzan 2012

I really hope that Justin gets another opportunity to do the Semuc Caves, because it was probably the most unique tourist experience I've had since coming to Guatemala. Mix images of the cave scenes from "Indiana Jones" and "Tom and Huck," and you get a slipping, sliding, swimming, jumping, climbing experience… all with a lit candle in your hand to guide the way! Our tour included several other young people from Europe. Our guide, Marcos, showed us every ledge we could jump off and every little cave-made slide. This show even continued outside the cave, where we swung on a giant tree swing out to the river. The last big challenge before the actual Semuc Champey pools was to jump off a bridge about 20 meters above the river. If someone tells me to jump off a bridge… I guess I will do it! And I was the only one that did.

Semuc Champey was as wonderful as I had heard. It's basically several pools and little waterfalls of very warm water.  Marcos showed our group all the cool places to dive and slide down, although not everyone decided to participate. We also met up with the St. Patrick's Group and Justin (who they had picked up, and was at the time sleeping like a rock). We stuck around the pools for a few more hours before departing for Cobán once more.

Look before you Leap

The following day, Tuesday March 20, the St. Patrick's group headed back to Guatemala City early to catch their flight. I know that they really enjoyed their experience, and I'm glad we were able to show them what our part of Guatemala has to offer. As they were mounting their return journey to Houston, Kurtis was helping us set up the skeleton to our now existing site for the monastery, www.resurrectionpriory.org. This moment was certainly a long-time-coming, but we could not have done it without Kurtis. His experience with writing HTML code was absolutely invaluable to our starting the site. Now, our ongoing process is gathering current news and the events concerning the community, and to eventually try to expose the site's usefulness to parishioners, guests, and the community itself. Once again, we couldn't be at the point we are today without Kurtis. Kurtis, if you are reading this, THANK YOU!

Kurtis and Me at Semuc

Anyway, after a day's work on the website, we settled our plans for the next few days. Kurtis showed strong interest in getting involved with the HELPS medical trip that was already underway. Our only obstacle? The HELPS site (Tejutla) was on the other side of the country. We faced potentially 12-hour journey.. by which we weren't completely sure of our exact route. Our plan? Just keep on asking for Tejutla.. and eventually, we'll get there. Early the next morning, we hit the road!