Hot Springs

Hot Springs

We went to Fuentes Georginas today, a sulfur hot springs high in the mountains above Zunil. The views, as you can see, were breathtaking. The town is mainly agricultural and runs off the water-power of the river. The springs steamed in the cold air, but when we dipped our toes in we found that were not hot. Our teachers (we all have separate teachers) had all told us the springs were “muy caliente,” so we were a bit confused but we realized after some group discussion that our houses don’t have warm water, so to the local people, they must experience the tepid hot springs as very hot. Everything is relative!

After a few minutes, the temperature didn’t matter because the three pools had gorgeous hot natural springs dripping into them off jungle-laden cliffs and the entire atmosphere was healing. When we got out, we all noticed that we felt more relaxed. The Guatemaltecos actually brought cups into the water and caught the fresh drips off the hot springs falling from the cliffs and would drink it. It is considered very sacred and healing. I also saw a man carried into the water from his wheelchair by his two female relatives, and his smile was energetically deafening.

Yesterday night, we had a small fiesta at the school to raise money for the clinic. They made only soy tacos because there are so many vegetarians. I was grateful and also curious where they got this protein, because sometimes it is even hard to find in the states. We had a couple drinks and ended up laughing about our shared experience of failed cat ownership.

I am beginning to know the city better, for the last two mornings I have gone to a local track with different students and it is amazing because no matter what time you go, the track is PACKED. It is open to the public and is also their Olympic training ground, so I was jogging between a older couple walking while holding hands (presh!) and a pack of very fit Olympians on the inside lanes.

All the stores that you pass on foot or in a shuttle are open, so you can see into them. I was lucky to have the window seat as we climbed higher and higher to the springs. Each tienda is a look inside a Guatemalan family’s life. There were so many precious moments today including a maybe three year old girl who had climbed up the cellular phone store’s desk and attacked her teenage brother from behind with the biggest smile, a father carrying his daughter in the street and giving her big noisy kisses while she laughed, and a man feeding a stray dog wagging his tail.

Everyday that I have ever been in this country, this trip and the one two years ago, I have the feeling of being in love. I find myself saying in Spanish things that I never would in English like “go with care” when someone leaves, or “good digestion” when I enter or leave the dining table. This culture is full of care and it radiates straight into my heart.