Guatemala: Spanish Language Intensive (2 week), Sample Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary. No two Dragons courses are the same. Every itinerary considers the unique strengths of the instructor team and interests of the student group.
Week 1 Our journey begins in Antigua, a central town home to lively markets, cozy cobblestone streets, and a blend of Mayan and Spanish architecture tucked between three volcanoes. Here, we set goals and intentions as a group in a local guest house and begin to orient ourselves to a new rhythm of life in Guatemala. We will also build foundational skills in communication and navigation for the journey to come. Antigua is a charming colonial city of Mayan and Spanish influence. In addition to exploring, hiking, and sampling local cuisine, it provides an ideal backdrop to begin unpacking Guatemala’s complicated history.
The following morning, we make our way south to San Lucas Tolíman to continue with our skill building and group bonding for the next two days. Upon descending into the depths of this giant caldera we’ll visit the Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura (IMAP). Working with a team of agro-ecologists under the tutelage of regionally renowned Ronaldo Lec Ajcot, we learn about traditional farming techniques and innovative technology being employed in rural communities to raise the quality of life while sustaining cultural identity and economic livelihood.
From San Lucas we travel west bound for San Juan La Laguna, a small Mayan town on the western shores of lake Atitlan with deeply-rooted artisan traditions of weaving, cooking, and painting. The town brims with life as seen by large, bright murals depicting rich relationships of man and universe according to Mayan worldview. In San Juan, we embark on a more individualized phase of the course with one-on-one language lessons at a local eco Spanish school. In addition to Spanish, we settle in with homestay families for several days and collaborate with local artists and weavers, learning about the living traditions that preserve the town’s vibrant Tzutujil Mayan identity.
Week 2 Departing San Juan, we travel west into the mountains under the shadow of the Santa Maria volcano to the K’iche’ Maya community of Pachaj. Pacchaj is an aldea (hamlet) located thirty minutes from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second largest city and “Indigenous Capital”, also known as Xelajú (Xela). In Pachaj we are warmly welcomed into the homes of local families for a five-night home-stay and service learning work. Our host is Armando Lopez, founder of the Chico Mendez Project, which seeks to maintain healthy forests and water supplies through reforestation and stewardship initiatives. Armando works with international volunteers and local leaders to provide environmental services and education to the community.
Each day our group will gather at Chico Mendes compound and classroom space for an individual check-in, framing of the day, and reflection exercise. From there we head to the nursery and forests for work with the reforestation crew on tree planting activities. The afternoons are dedicated to hikes and nearby excursions, spending time with host families, and the likely and always welcomed community soccer match.
Departing Pachaj, we come full circle back east and make our way to our final destination, atop the coffee-laden mountainous surroundings of Antigua in the small town of El Hato. Within the folds of an avocado farm with breathtaking volcanic views, the Earth Lodge is an inspiring, relaxing, and spacious place to wrap up our journey and prepare for the journey home. At the Earth Lodge, we revisit our experience- looking back to the lessons we’ve gained firsthand at small farms, permaculture centers, Mayan ceremonies, gracious families, and through artisans and vendors. In addition to looking back at where we’ve been, we also look forward to what’s next, asking ourselves how we’ll carry our experiences in Guatemala forward into our summers, school years, and lives.