Ok, so this is a little bit belated, but for those of you wondering about my New Year's in Guatemala, here it is! This New Year's I decided to do something different...I wanted to start off my new year on the right foot. I wanted to do something reflective of my peace corps' service...something that would challenge me mentally and physically. So with a few friends, I set out to climb Tajumulco, a volcano in the western highlands in San Marcos, Guatemala.
This is not just any volcano...it is both the highest peak not only in Guatemala, but also in Central America (about 15,000 feet). I thought it would reflect my Peace Corps service well, because like the Peace Corps, it would be a huge challenge...I was sure there would be times I wanted to jump off the volcano, or turn around crying (especially since I am not in the best shape here...as I gave up running because I couldn't handle being chases by chuchos or cat-called by the locals) but like the Peace Corps, I knew all these trials would be worth it in the end...if I just stood my ground...
Now, for those of you who know me, you know I am not one of those crazies who ever hopes to complete a marathon or climb all the highest mountains in the world. I like hiking and nature, but more leisurely strolls...however, I was willing to try something new...get even further out of my comfort zone (Peace Corps Guatemala has definitely pushed me to the limits of this).
Originally, the plan was to hike the volcano with a small group. I thought we were being outrageously clever and that no other peace corps volunteers would have the same idea...Wrong, in the end there were about 15 of us, but this worked out better, because I got to meet some amazing new people. Anyway, our group set out on December 31, 2011 at about 10 am from the base of the volcano...I would describe the grueling details, but I will share that I didn't vomit or cry--though I wanted to do both many times along the way. At almost 4pm, we got to where we were going to camp that night. The plan was to wake up early--4am--the next day (new year's day) to get to the summit to see sunrise...Needless to say, there was no "partying" at camp. We set up camp, made a fire, sat around, ate, talked, chilled, made smore's and decided that 8pm would be our midnight...so at 7:59:10 we counted down...someone brought sparklers, so we lit those...then we called it a night...
Of course I didn't get any sleep because I was on top of a rock (literally)...it didn't matter because I was ready to reach the top...we set off around 4am...in the dark...I had my headlamp,but parts of the path were steep and off cliffs and scary with or without the light...In my opinion, this was the hardest part, and this is definitely when it got harder for me to breathe--damn that high altitude--the part where I wanted to say, "hey, I came far enough...I am fine here...why don't I just stay put"...but I didn't...I got to the top and it was...
ANTICLIMACTIC...! ( I really hope that is NOT how I feel when I finish the peace corps in, wait for it, 8.5 months!!!)
So, we get to the top...15 or so minutes before sunrise, and it is FREEZING and overcast...and wet. At some point I stopped being able to feel my external appendages (they are overrated anyway I hear...)...soon it is time for sunrise, but there were just too many clouds to see. I mean it was cool that we were above a layer of clouds...we were HIGH up...but no sunrise ever presented itself...then it just started raining...and we turned around, half frozen...
Although you might think I would have been disappointed after working so hard to reach the summit, despite not being able to see the sunrise, it was still eerily tranquil and beautiful up top...and strangely exhilarating...
All in all, I don't regret it and I am grateful I had the opportunity to 1) hike the volcano with an amazing bunch of people and 2) to make it all the way to the top.
Now there are crazier people than I who were disappointed with this trip and want to return to Tajumulco in April to see the sunrise...I was invited for a round two...but to these people who shall remain unnamed, I say, "HELL NO!! and You are CRAZY"...I had my Tajumulco fix, and now I can say (without ever even wanting to) that I have climbed 2 volcanoes in Guatemala (Tajumulco and Pacaya, which is is waaay easier, fyi) and that I have climbed the highest peak in Central America. That is enough for me...why get greedy?
On to the more important things of 2012...getting my projects completed and completing the Peace Corps with a sense of accomplishment beyond merely completing the Peace Corps...8.5 (maybe 8) months to go...
See you all THIS year =)
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