Group photo of our Antigua, Guatemala homestay family
Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2nvVryF, Picture Courtesy of Milady Casco and Courtney Clark
On our final afternoon in Antigua, Guatemala, my homestay mates Courtney (pictured far left), Ashlee (second from left), and I (far right) ate some delicious cake from a local bakery with our homestay hosts, Don Carlos and Doña Ana (center). It was undoubtedly a bitter-sweet moment because regardless of my desire to hopefully visit Guatemala in the near future, there is no guarantee that I will see my homestay family again. Fortunately, I now have Don Carlos’ number saved to my list of contacts on WhatsApp, so I can keep in touch! During our conversation, we discussed our plans for the rest of the summer. Don Carlos and Doña Ana plan on taking an extensive coast-to-coast road trip around the U.S. As Don Carlos put it, ¡Viajar es Vida! (Travel is Life!)
It is impossible to comprehensively sum up all that is a Maymester in Guatemala and Belize. With less than a month to experience all that we did, it was truly an intense, emotional, and memorable experience. Part of that experience is navigating the cobblestone streets of Antigua and marveling at the colonial barroco antigueño architecture in decay, like ruins of the Church of Candelaria that now stand on the perimeter of a basketball court, or the repurposed buildings that are now home to fast food franchises like McDonald’s or one of the most upscale Starbucks you could visit. Another part is visiting amazing co-ops that benefit Maya women and boating across the marvelous, glistening Lake Atitlán. Furthermore, the Maymester journey involves visiting more museums than you typically experience in a year, both typical and living. By living museums, I mean the great pyramids of Tikal in the southern Maya lowlands and of Iximche’ in Guatemala’s western highlands, the latter of which is home to seemingly countless pieces of Pre-columbian pottery and obsidian that visitors can pick up and observe up-close.
A piece of black obsidian unearthed in Iximcheʼ
Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2nw7p84
In Belize, the ethnocultural mosaic that comprises the country allows visitors to experience both Maya and Kriol history and cuisine, among others. With a population of just around 1,400 people the Kriol community of Crooked Tree Village was once a settlement for workers in the logwood industry from Britain.
Entrance to the Crooked Tree Museum and Cultural Heritage Center
Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2nw7sJY
Both the horrors and cultural influence of colonialism are present in the stories and lifestyles of the people of Guatemala and Belize. The Maya people are some of the most resilient and generous people that I have met, and the Kriol people are equally strong and welcoming. It is important as tourists to get to know the locals and not fall into the trap of mindless consumerism. I was glad to have the opportunity to support numerous local businesses and organizations and I look forward to visiting Central America in the coming years, hopefully with the means to be of greater service to the disadvantaged.
I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Astrid Runggaldier, Milady Casco, and the numerous UT faculty and staff that made this Maymester trip possible. I am also very grateful to Ruta Maya Coffee Company for helping to sponsor my study abroad experience. Finally, I want to thank Don Carlos and Doña Ana for opening up their lovely home to students, and the many other residents of Guatemala and Belize whose generosity and enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge and wisdom with our group made the trip an experience to cherish.