For the second day we were able to experience the luxury at the Pavorotti Education Centre in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. This allowed the delegation time to pause, reflect and prepare before our visit to the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala City tomorrow morning. For me, this time allowed me an opportunity to find some balance in what appears to be a very imbalanced world!
Pavarotti and Nobel Peace Loreate Rigoberta Menchu Tum, created the Pavarotti School in San Lucas Toliman to provide educational opportunities for Maya indigenous youth that values their customs and traditions.
We divided into four groups after our reflection, to prepare and focus on specific aspects of our Breaking the Silence tour.
After our morning discussion we had some free time to go for a walk down by the beautiful Atitlan lake or make a last minute run to the markets. However, there were a few visitors from neighbouring communities outside the centre doors anxiously awaiting to sell their wears: beautiful textiles, embroidered work, crewel, various types of jewelry with few of us being able to resist! We left the centre after a light lunch of traditional Guatemalan tostadas.
Tradition woven skirts or “cortes” for sale in the San Lucas Toliman market.
Our trip back to Guatemala City started around one thirty. This took us through some interesting travel and lush green vegetation with a tropical rain storm a third of the way through. Martin, our driver, did not “miss a beat” as many of us were in the back holding our breath and very anxious about hydroplaning! We arrived safely at our destination, Casa San Jose.
After settling in, we finalized our presentation for our visit to the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala City.
Our dinner for the evening was called paches. Paches was something very different for most of us yet comforting in some way as it is made of potato and spice with the surprise of chicken in the centre.
This evening we stayed in. It allowed us to relax and catch our breath after a very intense ten days. We are all starting to understand the great responsibility that has been given and already I hear whispers of plans when our delegation returns home.
-Eoin
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