Heart and Hand: Guatemala
April 3-12, 2014
Our first Heart and Hand Retreat! Our trip began in the historical, picturesque city of Antigua, where we spent two days sightseeing and working with Common Hope, a nonprofit organization that assists in improving living conditions and education for the under-served in Guatemala. We took a walking tour of historic Antigua, visited the famed Casa de Santo Domingo hotel and museum, shopped at the local outdoor and indoor markets, and ate delicious food, once from a rooftop restaurant with an amazing view of the city. Our day with Common Hope was spent going on visits to homes of local people, doing a construction project for a community school, and teaching yoga to teenagers. We also practiced yoga and meditation daily from the rooftop of our volunteer house. On day 4, we headed to Villa Sumaya, a first-class yoga retreat center that sits on the treasured Lake Atitlan, known for its jaw-dropping vista of mountains and volcanoes. At Villa Sumaya, we delved more deeply into our yoga practices, kayaked on the lake, ate delicious organic food, took part in a shamanic ceremony, hiked across one of the islands, and swam in the lake. Amazing!
April 3-12, 2014
Our first Heart and Hand Retreat! Our trip began in the historical, picturesque city of Antigua, where we spent two days sightseeing and working with Common Hope, a nonprofit organization that assists in improving living conditions and education for the under-served in Guatemala. We took a walking tour of historic Antigua, visited the famed Casa de Santo Domingo hotel and museum, shopped at the local outdoor and indoor markets, and ate delicious food, once from a rooftop restaurant with an amazing view of the city. Our day with Common Hope was spent going on visits to homes of local people, doing a construction project for a community school, and teaching yoga to teenagers. We also practiced yoga and meditation daily from the rooftop of our volunteer house. On day 4, we headed to Villa Sumaya, a first-class yoga retreat center that sits on the treasured Lake Atitlan, known for its jaw-dropping vista of mountains and volcanoes. At Villa Sumaya, we delved more deeply into our yoga practices, kayaked on the lake, ate delicious organic food, took part in a shamanic ceremony, hiked across one of the islands, and swam in the lake. Amazing!
About the Places we Stayed
Guatemala is a beautiful country located in the heart of Latin America, bordering El Salvador, Belize, and Honduras. Known as El País de la Eterna Primavera, or the Land of the Eternal Spring, Guatemala is lovely to visit all year round, and particularly in April. The people are warm and friendly, and the vistas, which range from mountainous to beachfront, are stunning. Karen lived and worked in Guatemala in 2006, and was excited to introduce her students (and Laurie!) to this special place. Villa Sumaya is a top-notch yoga retreat center, which boasts breathtaking views of the lake. In 2012, it was voted #2 in Central America and #25 in the World in for Relaxation/Spa Hotels by Trip Advisor.
Guatemala is a beautiful country located in the heart of Latin America, bordering El Salvador, Belize, and Honduras. Known as El País de la Eterna Primavera, or the Land of the Eternal Spring, Guatemala is lovely to visit all year round, and particularly in April. The people are warm and friendly, and the vistas, which range from mountainous to beachfront, are stunning. Karen lived and worked in Guatemala in 2006, and was excited to introduce her students (and Laurie!) to this special place. Villa Sumaya is a top-notch yoga retreat center, which boasts breathtaking views of the lake. In 2012, it was voted #2 in Central America and #25 in the World in for Relaxation/Spa Hotels by Trip Advisor.
