Interesting blog with photos about Lake Atitlan (Lago Atitlan):
Lake Atitlan with Volcanoes Toliman and Atitlan behind.
Lago de Atitlán
(Lake Atitlán)
by Eve Andersson
Home : Guatemala : One Article
Lago de Atitlán (Lake Atitlán) is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. It is surrounded by craggy mountains and three traditionally shaped volcanoes. Formed by a collapsed volcano cone, Lago de Atitlán is 320 meters deep, the deepest lake in Central America. Approximately fifteen towns or villages lie on the perimeter, mainly inhabited by traditional Mayan peoples with a sprinkling of foreign settlers.
(photos)
Panajachel
Panajachel (or Pana, for short) is the town that most tourists visit. It is a very comfortable place to just hang out and you can usually get whatever you need there. This town is full of restaurants and hotels. It's a good starting place if you want to go visit other towns by boat.
(photos)
by Eve Andersson (eve @ eveandersson.com)
More: http://www.eveandersson.com/guatemala/atitlan
Showing posts with label Panajachel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panajachel. Show all posts
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Lake Atitlan volcano view from my balcony, Panajachel, Guatemala
Post left:
Lake Atitlan balcony.jpg (long rectangle size, use for forms and online db)
Lake Atitlan balcony.jpg (regular size)
Lake Atitlan balcony.jpg (regular size)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Hurricane Agatha at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Take a look at some of the effects Hurricane Agatha via my flickr photos:
www.flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/sets/
Plus a video from Jaibalito, another village around the lake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loyOH13I6vI
Read about the aftermath of Hurricane Agatha, and send donations for economic, education and health projects around Lake Atitlan: www.MayanFamilies.org and www.AmigosdeSantaCruz.org
We need a comprehensive sewer and septic system, population control, environmental practices, Onil Stoves, education, medical treatment and safe living conditions for everyone living around the lake. How can we accomplish all this?
Please comment with your ideas and send donations to the groups mentioned above.
Hurricane Agatha, Lake Atitlan, Jaibalito, Panajachel, Guatemala
www.flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/sets/
Plus a video from Jaibalito, another village around the lake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loyOH13I6vI
Read about the aftermath of Hurricane Agatha, and send donations for economic, education and health projects around Lake Atitlan: www.MayanFamilies.org and www.AmigosdeSantaCruz.org
We need a comprehensive sewer and septic system, population control, environmental practices, Onil Stoves, education, medical treatment and safe living conditions for everyone living around the lake. How can we accomplish all this?
Please comment with your ideas and send donations to the groups mentioned above.
Hurricane Agatha, Lake Atitlan, Jaibalito, Panajachel, Guatemala
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sewer Treatment Plant in Pana?
Lake Atitlan - sewer treatment plant in Pana?
Catherine S. Todd Sun, May 2, 2010 at 2:04 PM
To: EKO-TEC Canada, patrick@ecotek.ca
EKO-TEC Canada
Solar Aquatics System (SAS)
Kim Rink, President
Patrick Meyer, Chief Operations Officer
http://www.ecotek.ca
office phone: 778-298-6835, office fax: 778-298-6836
I thought I'd contact you directly with the questions I've sent to Sid Eischenbach regarding solutions for the cyanobacteria polluting Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, where I live part time. Your Solar Aquatics System (SAS) system looks phenomenal, and surely must be "the wave of the future." Let me know if you are involved and what I can do to help.
Sincerely, Catherine Todd (contact and links below)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Catherine S. Todd
Date: Sun, May 2, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Subject: Sewer treatment plant in Pana?
To: sid eschenbach
Cc: Carlos Funk, Roger Stringham , George Nippo
Dear Sid,
I'm would like to help build sewer treatment plants for Lake Atitlan. People said last time I was there recently that "someone had already started on a sewer treatment plant for Pana, and had already poured the foundation." If this is true, I figured it had to be you. I don't know if money is still needed for this project, but I assume it is.
I'm considering ways of doing fundraising to build treatment plants for all 12 villages around the lake, using the same successful techniques I'm using to raise money for schools & families around the lake. I don't ask for donations, but develop businesses that provide work and income for everyone concerned. So far, so good. These same practices could easily be turned toward building sewer treatment plants for Lake Atitlan.
For installation of sewer treatment plants, I'm looking at Eko-Tek in Canada http://www.ecotek.ca/ who uses a Solar Aquatics System (SAS):
"ECO-TEK is an environmental leader in handling wastewater through purely biological means."
"Reusing wastewater as a Resource"
Solar Aquatics downloads, info & tech sheets: http://www.ecotek.ca/sa.html
Havana Project Description: Urban sewage collection systems flow by gravity to creeks and streams of the Havana Metropolitan Park. A pilot “aquaculture” waste treatment facility is being designed and built to reclaim this wastewater for reuse as irrigation water for organic urban agriculture and to grow flowers for export to Canada.
Do you know Eko-Tek.ca, or is there a better one? I've attached their information pdf. From what I've read, they plant orchards and gardens through their chemical-free, odorless system in the middle of towns, using unskilled labor with an installation cost of as little as $150,000.00 and $2,000.00 per year or less for simple maintenance. I've attached a pdf for their project in Havana: http://www.ecotek.ca/havana.html.
It sounds very do-able for all the villages around Lake Atitlan, using unskilled labor with low-cost installation and maintenance. Some day all sewer systems may be like this.
The problem of toxic cyano-bacteria in Lake Atitlan is getting a lot of media attention, but is there an actual group or agency that is doing something as yet? Any updates to articles I've found so far?
31 Oct 2009: http://www.lakeatitlanhealth.com/lakevision.html
5 March 2010: Atitlan Community: Why Lakes are Like Black Holes (and what we can do about it) - Sidney Eschenbach
7 April 2010: Lake Atitlan Guatemala Health-Green Cyanobacteria Algae ...
The Guatemala Times has just released an excellent in depth article explaining what is going on with the cyanobacteria in Lake Atitlan. ... www.lakeatitlanhealth.com/
Group report & updates by : http://www.salvemosatitlan.com/ (some pages not found, dates?)
It may be that the problem is already in hand and a solution has been found, and further contributions will not be necessary. If this is true, please let me know. I hope so! If not, I am happy to help.
I'll be back at the end of May through the month of June. Hope everything is going well, and say "hi" to Jan for me.
Yours, Catherine Todd
--
Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727
Blog: http://catherinetodd.blogspot.com/
Music: http://www.last.fm/music/Catherine+Todd
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/sets/
Guatemalan Arts & Crafts (GAC)
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Guatemala cell (dial 011 from the U.S.):
(502) 5013.6300
Travel: http://lakeatitlan.blogspot.com/
Architecture: http://catherinetoddarchitecture.blogspot.com/
For 2010:
"The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need do is set our sails."
~ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ~ Gospel of Ramakrishna
Peace and justice are goals for man.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
John 16:33. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world"
2 attachments
Solar Aquatics System (SAS).jpg
115K
tp-cubeco.pdf
912K
Catherine S. Todd
To: EKO-TEC Canada
EKO-TEC Canada
Solar Aquatics System (SAS)
Kim Rink, President
Patrick Meyer, Chief Operations Officer
http://www.ecotek.ca
office phone: 778-298-6835, office fax: 778-298-6836
I thought I'd contact you directly with the questions I've sent to Sid Eischenbach regarding solutions for the cyanobacteria polluting Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, where I live part time. Your Solar Aquatics System (SAS) system looks phenomenal, and surely must be "the wave of the future." Let me know if you are involved and what I can do to help.
Sincerely, Catherine Todd (contact and links below)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Catherine S. Todd
Date: Sun, May 2, 2010 at 10:05 AM
Subject: Sewer treatment plant in Pana?
To: sid eschenbach
Cc: Carlos Funk
Dear Sid,
I'm would like to help build sewer treatment plants for Lake Atitlan. People said last time I was there recently that "someone had already started on a sewer treatment plant for Pana, and had already poured the foundation." If this is true, I figured it had to be you. I don't know if money is still needed for this project, but I assume it is.
I'm considering ways of doing fundraising to build treatment plants for all 12 villages around the lake, using the same successful techniques I'm using to raise money for schools & families around the lake. I don't ask for donations, but develop businesses that provide work and income for everyone concerned. So far, so good. These same practices could easily be turned toward building sewer treatment plants for Lake Atitlan.
For installation of sewer treatment plants, I'm looking at Eko-Tek in Canada http://www.ecotek.ca/ who uses a Solar Aquatics System (SAS):
"ECO-TEK is an environmental leader in handling wastewater through purely biological means."
"Reusing wastewater as a Resource"
Solar Aquatics downloads, info & tech sheets: http://www.ecotek.ca/sa.html
Havana Project Description: Urban sewage collection systems flow by gravity to creeks and streams of the Havana Metropolitan Park. A pilot “aquaculture” waste treatment facility is being designed and built to reclaim this wastewater for reuse as irrigation water for organic urban agriculture and to grow flowers for export to Canada.
Do you know Eko-Tek.ca, or is there a better one? I've attached their information pdf. From what I've read, they plant orchards and gardens through their chemical-free, odorless system in the middle of towns, using unskilled labor with an installation cost of as little as $150,000.00 and $2,000.00 per year or less for simple maintenance. I've attached a pdf for their project in Havana: http://www.ecotek.ca/havana.html.
It sounds very do-able for all the villages around Lake Atitlan, using unskilled labor with low-cost installation and maintenance. Some day all sewer systems may be like this.
The problem of toxic cyano-bacteria in Lake Atitlan is getting a lot of media attention, but is there an actual group or agency that is doing something as yet? Any updates to articles I've found so far?
31 Oct 2009: http://www.lakeatitlanhealth.com/lakevision.html
5 March 2010: Atitlan Community: Why Lakes are Like Black Holes (and what we can do about it) - Sidney Eschenbach
7 April 2010: Lake Atitlan Guatemala Health-Green Cyanobacteria Algae ...
The Guatemala Times has just released an excellent in depth article explaining what is going on with the cyanobacteria in Lake Atitlan. ... www.lakeatitlanhealth.com/
Group report & updates by : http://www.salvemosatitlan.com/ (some pages not found, dates?)
It may be that the problem is already in hand and a solution has been found, and further contributions will not be necessary. If this is true, please let me know. I hope so! If not, I am happy to help.
I'll be back at the end of May through the month of June. Hope everything is going well, and say "hi" to Jan for me.
Yours, Catherine Todd
--
Catherine Todd
3007 Bent Tree Dr. Oxford NC 27565
H 919.693.0853 U.S. cell 919.605.0727
Blog: http://catherinetodd.blogspot.com/
Music: http://www.last.fm/music/Catherine+Todd
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/catherinetodd/sets/
Guatemalan Arts & Crafts (GAC)
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Guatemala cell (dial 011 from the U.S.):
(502) 5013.6300
Travel: http://lakeatitlan.blogspot.com/
Architecture: http://catherinetoddarchitecture.blogspot.com/
For 2010:
"The winds of grace blow all the time. All we need do is set our sails."
~ Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa ~ Gospel of Ramakrishna
Peace and justice are goals for man.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
John 16:33. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world"
2 attachments
Solar Aquatics System (SAS).jpg
115K
tp-cubeco.pdf
912K
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Homestays in Guatemala & Learn Spanish
There's lots of places where you can attend a Spanish school and stay with a Guatemalan family with room and board while practicing your Spanish! This type of arrangement is very popular in La Antigua, Panajachel, San Pedro Xela and more. You can also volunteer at one of the schools or numerous charities, where you will be asked to donate to volunteer which sometimes includes room and board.
A few examples of a Google search for: spanish school homestay Panajachel
1.
Learn Spanish in Panajachel: Spanish Language School Panajachel
Home Stay (Full board Mon. to Sat. Sunday no meals), 75 per week ... The administration of the Spanish language school in Panajachel works limited hours at ...
www.languagesinaction.com/learn-spanish/.../panajachel.php - Cached - Similar -
2.
Accommodation: Spanish School Jabel Tinamit - Panajachel ...
Jump to Local Family Home Stay: - for total immersion in the Spanish language we suggest that you live with one of our local families. ...
www.jabeltinamit.com/...panajachel/homestay_hostels_panajachel.htm
Enjoy!
A few examples of a Google search for: spanish school homestay Panajachel
1.
Learn Spanish in Panajachel: Spanish Language School Panajachel
Home Stay (Full board Mon. to Sat. Sunday no meals), 75 per week ... The administration of the Spanish language school in Panajachel works limited hours at ...
www.languagesinaction.com/learn-spanish/.../panajachel.php - Cached - Similar -
2.
Accommodation: Spanish School Jabel Tinamit - Panajachel ...
Jump to Local Family Home Stay: - for total immersion in the Spanish language we suggest that you live with one of our local families. ...
www.jabeltinamit.com/...panajachel/homestay_hostels_panajachel.htm
Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
L.I.F.E. School in Panajachel
LIFE School Director George Nippo & Sucely (student)
We're selling beautiful, handbeaded keychains to raising money for computers for one of my favorite grade schools in Panajachel, with a multicultural group of Guatemalan, indigenous and American / European students:
SeeL.I.F.E. School (which can also use volunteers) at: http://www.lifeschoolweb.com/
LIFE School is located on the shores of Lake Atitlán, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake region is in the Guatemalan highlands, where the indigenous culture remains strong. Most families in this region continue to speak Mayan languages (Kaqchikel and Tz’utujil) and wear traditional, hand-woven clothing.
School Campus
The school is in a secluded, quiet area close to the lake. All buildings are simple brick constructions with tin roofs. During recess, students play on the playground, the basketball court, the ping-pong table, or the large soccer field. We have a well-stocked library as well as a small computer lab with wireless internet throughout the elementary campus. In 2008, a small group of generous donors provided a mobile lab consisting of 5 Mac iBooks and a laser printer that teachers can sign-out for their classes. (more)
Note: Some of us in the states are selling beautiful handbeaded Guatemalan keychains to raise money for Mac laptop computers for LIFE School in Panajachel, and asking local computer groups for donated laptops to take back. You could ask around as well if you have access to older or refurbished computers. They are very easy to pack when one comes to visit Lake Atitlan.
See more about this excellent international grade school at:
http://www.international-schoolfriends.com/schools-Robert_Muller_Life_School-Panajachel-Guatemala-9702-show.html
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wikitravel: Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Wikitravel named one of TIME Magazine's 50 Best Websites of 2008
Panajachel
From Wikitravel
North America : Central America : Guatemala : Western Highlands : Lake Atitlán : Panajachel
Contents
* Get in
* Get around
* See
* Do
* Buy
* Eat
* Drink
* Sleep
o Nearby
* Get out
Panajachel is in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Panajachel, or Pana as it is widely known is a small town on the North shore of Lake Atitlán. Pana is a small town with a booming tourist industry. With the exception of possibly Antigua, Panajachel is one of the major tourism areas in Guatemala.
Do
* Volunteer, at the Robert Muller LIFE School. LIFE's mission is to provide a top-notch, multicultural education to expat and indigenous children alike. LIFE School is the only English-speaking non-profit school in Guatemala. 77% of its current students receive some for of financial assistance. For more information please visit: LIFE School : www.lifeschoolweb.com
(more)
Panajachel
From Wikitravel
North America : Central America : Guatemala : Western Highlands : Lake Atitlán : Panajachel
Contents
* Get in
* Get around
* See
* Do
* Buy
* Eat
* Drink
* Sleep
o Nearby
* Get out
Panajachel is in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Panajachel, or Pana as it is widely known is a small town on the North shore of Lake Atitlán. Pana is a small town with a booming tourist industry. With the exception of possibly Antigua, Panajachel is one of the major tourism areas in Guatemala.
Do
* Volunteer, at the Robert Muller LIFE School. LIFE's mission is to provide a top-notch, multicultural education to expat and indigenous children alike. LIFE School is the only English-speaking non-profit school in Guatemala. 77% of its current students receive some for of financial assistance. For more information please visit: LIFE School : www.lifeschoolweb.com
(more)
Monday, January 5, 2009
Yoga & Pilates
CLASES DE YOGA - YOGA CLASES
MON/WED/FRI 8am with Malini in Pana - Please call her for more info: 51291165
Calle del Frutal 0-68, Panajachel,
Lunes/Miercoles/Viernes - con Malini en Pana- Llamar para mas informacion:51291165
Calle del Frutal 0-68, Panajachel,
*********************************
MON to SAT in Pana & Santa Cruz with Naisha Roberta
Mon, Wed & Fri: Villa Sumaya 9-10.30
Tue & Thur: Don Rodrigo, Pana 8-9.15
Sat: Don Rodrigo, Pana 9-10.15
For more information: Tel 46262893
De Lunes a Sabado en Pana Y Santa Cruz con Naisha Roberta (en la Posada de Don Rodrigo, Pana y Villa Sumaya, Santa Cruz: Tel 46262893
****************************
Pilates with Malini
Tues & Thur 4.45pm-5.45pm,
Pana Gym, Avenida los arboles
Tel: 51291165
Pilates con Malini
(Martes y Jueves 4.45pm-5.45pm)
Pana Gym, Avenida los arboles
Tel: 51291165
MON/WED/FRI 8am with Malini in Pana - Please call her for more info: 51291165
Calle del Frutal 0-68, Panajachel,
Lunes/Miercoles/Viernes - con Malini en Pana- Llamar para mas informacion:51291165
Calle del Frutal 0-68, Panajachel,
*********************************
MON to SAT in Pana & Santa Cruz with Naisha Roberta
Mon, Wed & Fri: Villa Sumaya 9-10.30
Tue & Thur: Don Rodrigo, Pana 8-9.15
Sat: Don Rodrigo, Pana 9-10.15
For more information: Tel 46262893
De Lunes a Sabado en Pana Y Santa Cruz con Naisha Roberta (en la Posada de Don Rodrigo, Pana y Villa Sumaya, Santa Cruz: Tel 46262893
****************************
Pilates with Malini
Tues & Thur 4.45pm-5.45pm,
Pana Gym, Avenida los arboles
Tel: 51291165
Pilates con Malini
(Martes y Jueves 4.45pm-5.45pm)
Pana Gym, Avenida los arboles
Tel: 51291165
What's on in Pana & Thursday Lecture Night
Solomon's Porch: Restaurant, Music, Movies, Wi-Fi
(In the Comercial El Dorado, next to Casablanca)
Lectures on Thurs. generally from 5.15pm - 6.30pm
Donation: 20 Q adults; Local Students: FREE. Non-Profit event sponsored by :
SIGN UP FOR INFO & Email Newsletter: e-mail: pcm@tourguatemala.com
THIS WEEK: Please join us for the next GUATEMALA LECTURE SERIES. Menu & drinks available.
Thursday, 8 January - Guatemala Lecture:
"An Open Discussion about Immigration, Legal and Otherwise " with Sid Eschenbach & Eric Coroxón
Language: In English
Place: Solomon's Porch, Panajachel
Time: 5.15pm-6.30pm
Price: 20Q adult; Local Students: FREE! (This is a non-profit event.)
*******************************************************************************
Monday, December 22, 2008
Bruce Barclay, founder of Las Manos, died
Revue Magazine: Browse: Home / Border Crossing, Lake Atitlán / Bruce Barclay
Bruce Barclay
By Dwight Wayne Coop • November 1, 2008
Humanitarian, entrepreneur, and one of the founders of Modern Panajachel
Bruce Barclay, founder of a worker’s paradise in Panajachel, has died. The New Yorker of Jewish heritage was 60.
After arriving in Panajachel in 1978, Barclay had a vision for the east bank of the San Francisco River, which bisects Panajachel. He purchased the upper riverside and created a magnet for impoverished Mayas seeking a better deal from life. Bruce Barclay offered them one.
These people possessed what stoneware maven Ken Edwards calls a “corporate artistic gift,” a talent shared by whole communities. The local Mayas can take an introduced artistic medium and, without training, instinctively render it in new and beautiful permutations. (more)
---
Obituaries | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA
Published: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 3:42 a.m.
More than two decades ago, Bruce Barclay opened Las Manos, ... Barclay's former wife, Diana Celeste, was a designer and seamstress who made the patterns ...
www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080905/OBITS/809050407/0/WIRE&title=Bruce_Barclay
Bruce Barclay
By Dwight Wayne Coop • November 1, 2008
Humanitarian, entrepreneur, and one of the founders of Modern Panajachel
Bruce Barclay, founder of a worker’s paradise in Panajachel, has died. The New Yorker of Jewish heritage was 60.
After arriving in Panajachel in 1978, Barclay had a vision for the east bank of the San Francisco River, which bisects Panajachel. He purchased the upper riverside and created a magnet for impoverished Mayas seeking a better deal from life. Bruce Barclay offered them one.
These people possessed what stoneware maven Ken Edwards calls a “corporate artistic gift,” a talent shared by whole communities. The local Mayas can take an introduced artistic medium and, without training, instinctively render it in new and beautiful permutations. (more)
---
Obituaries | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA
Published: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 3:42 a.m.
More than two decades ago, Bruce Barclay opened Las Manos, ... Barclay's former wife, Diana Celeste, was a designer and seamstress who made the patterns ...
www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080905/OBITS/809050407/0/WIRE&title=Bruce_Barclay
Monday, November 24, 2008
Terra X Real Estate, Panajachel, Lake Atitlan
Ralph Krause
TERRA X Real Estate - Lake Atitlan Property, Guatemala Real Estate
Real Estate Lake Atitlan Guatemala
Terra X Real Estate - Atitlan Investments S.A. was established in Panajachel at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala as the primary realtor. With 25 years of experience in the real estate market in Guatemala, Terra X's Ralph Krause knows the business of real estate and property. His knowledge of guatemalan real estate, property laws and especially Panajachel and the Lake Atitlan area are unmatched.
As public opinion, governmental constraints, and markets in Guatemala have progressed, so too have the needs of private property owners and buyers. Throughout this evolution, as the first established realtor in Panajachel at Lake Atitlan, Terra X has had a valuable presence. He offers his clients comprehensive advice on complex guatemalan real estate and investment issues.
Terra-X's Commitment: Helping property owners and buyers make informed and lucrative decisions.
Terra-X's Strength: Terra X's strength lies in its professional expertise and experience in properties at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
Terra-X's Goal: To put the uncompromising standards of Terra X to work for you in Guatemala and especially Lake Atitlan.
Terra-X's Guarantee: All your real estate, legal needs and investments will be handled with the utmost attention and care. (more)
Contact Us:
OFFICE LOCATION
Terra-X Real Estate
Rincon Sai
Calle Santander 1-30
Panajachel
Lake Atitlan
Guatemala
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Phone: (502) 7762 1229
Phone: (502) 7762 2832
Mobile:(502) 5598 5677
Fax: (502) 7762 2831
Email: atitlaninvestments@gmail.com or Ralph
www.terraxatitlan.com
terrax@terraxatitlan.com
Please send email or use our contact form. We will normally contact you within 48 hours.
*******
Note 11/2008: This is my realtor who helped me find some lovely lots in Panajachel. Catherine Todd.
*******
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Gypsy Reel - Celtic Band, VT & Panajachel Guatemala
Gypsy Reel is returning to La Galleria in Februrary 2009, in Panajachel! Check their website for dates. They are just great! Based in Vermont, with members from all over the world.
"We're not a Rock band that Celts, We're a Celt band that Rocks!" (Graham Parker)
Source: gypsyreel.com
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan 6:00 AM
by zoner, posted on Google Earth: Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
near Panajachel, Sololá (Guatemala)
14° 43' 44.04" N 91° 8' 57.38" W
Go here to see google earth map of Pana and Lake Atitlan: http://maps.google.com
I actually see my own house here!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Panajachel
From thebramandaband.wordpress.com
The Bramanda Band
Posted by streickly
Since nothing was going on in Xela this weekend (and because we certainly didn’t want to study) Brandon and I took off to spend the weekend at Lake Atitlan. We rode in another dreaded chicken-bus — which, I should clarify, are decked out, old American school buses which only rarely carry chickens but are always stuffed with twice their capacity in passengers and make a rule of traveling at vomit-worthy speeds — which we were promised would take us directly en route to Lake Atitlan’s main city, Panajachel. We changed buses three times — Guatemalan style. Anyway, all forced inconveniences were forgiven as we caught site of the lake on our last descent from the mountainside. Lake Atitlan is indescribably beautiful — it literally took our breath away. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this Gautemalen jewel, it’s a gigantic lake with three towering volcanoes kissing its shores. Encircling the entire lake are mountains covered with dense foliage, spotted with occasional patterns of maize fields. Several small communities are found along the lake, accessible only by boat. It was to one of these little cities that Brandon and I were planning to stay for the short duration of our trip.
So, as soon as we landed in Panajachel early Saturday morning we called to reserve a place to stay. A quaint little hotel with a sauna and private hot tub for 20 bucks, quoted as the best in our trusty guidebook — a real treat after a long week. Ah, too bad. It was full. So was the next place. And the next. After two hours of calls and seven small, fully-booked lake communities later (we guessed it was some sort of hidden high season), we admitted defeat and resorted to finding a place to stay in Panajachel. Panajachel is not that bad, it just reminded me of what I imagine Cancun is like. A million international tourists stomping around, buying crappy trinkets for too much money and taking photos of the locals without asking while at the same time the undignified locals try to cheat the tourists for all they’re worth and there’s not an ounce of the traditional culture to be found — that sort of thing. So we settled for a room in a bright, empty hotel with a rooftop view of the lake. Which was perfect until the 25-strong American high school marching band came to stay there, too. Anyway, we made the best of it and did some of our own shopping, ate a yummy non-Guatemalan meal and drank some wine to the sunset over the lake on our rooftop deck in the evening. We even watched some British TV and then vowed to go in the morning to what was promised to be the most traditional city across the lake — Santiago.
The boat ride was definitely a highlight of the weekend. It took an hour to cross, enough time to enjoy the beauty of the perfectly aquamarine lake water and snap lots of bad photos of the looming volcanoes. Santiago is a benign appearing little village, nestled into the mountainside between three volcanoes. However, when we docked in Santiago, we were immediately accosted by tons of little boys who jumped into the boat and asked if we needed guides … or taxis … or keychains … not even a pen? We squeezed by without buying anything and proceeded up the main thoroughfare into the town. What we found were shops and shops and shops and shops and shops, mirroring those we thought we had left behind in Panahachel, and people yelling at us to buy things and small children who held out there chubby paws, opened their cherub mouths and said “Quetzale” (the Guatemalan currency). When we didn’t give them money, they spanked their butts at us, muttered swear words and ran to find another unsuspecting tourist. Tourism had trashed this town as it had trashed Panajachel — and we felt guilty and disillusioned. We were also feeling hungry so we had a nice cafe lunch of Wonderbread and American processed cheese, with leering children hanging over our plates as we ate. We got on the next boat back to Panajachel and then took the next available bus to Xela.
As we ascended the mountain on our way back, we hardly even glanced at the beautiful mountain lake as we washed our hands of Atitlan and its serene little villages. In any case, it was an experience that we wouldn’t not recommend to someone else.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
* Sunset, Lake Atitlan
* Investigator On Boat Accident
6 Responses to “Lake Atitlan’s Monster”
1.
Linda Says:
January 1, 2008 at 12:50 pm
It all sounds so warm and green, as I sit here looking out at a near blizzard with giant wind-tossed snowflakes punctuated by red cardinals and bluejays in the trees trying to stay put.
Even in the disillusionment it sounds exotic and beautiful there!
Enjoy all for a lifetime of memories.
Reply
2.
Catherine Todd Says:
May 9, 2009 at 4:17 am
Wonderful blog entry; I live in Panajachel part time and love it there. Can’t wait to go back, especially after reading this! I posted a bit on my own blog, with a link back here.
http://lakeatitlan.blogspot.com/
Hope this is alright, and hope we run into each other in Pana one day!
Yours, Catherine Todd
Reply
3.
Catherine Todd Says:
May 9, 2009 at 4:22 am
Whoops… I hadn’t read the whole entry; just the first part describing the beauty of the Lake. Oh, My Goodness! I removed the excerpt from my blog, even though I am sure you did have a bad experience… but luckily that has not been the case for me. I guess it’s because I live there and have friends and “no where to go.” Makes a difference if you’ve been somewhere for awhile, I suppose.
I know parts of the tourism part is “inconvenient” and messy and the tourist traps do overcharge (bargaining is part of the Latin American culture), but believe me there’s still plenty to love about Pana and the villages around the lake.
I hope you give it another chance one day, at times when there’s less tourists (like right now, for example). I’ve been to Xela a couple of times and it is spectacular there. Hope you are enjoying it.
Reply
4.
streickly Says:
May 10, 2009 at 8:05 am
Thanks for the note, Catherine.
Traveling is so individualized, I am not surprised we had different impressions of Pana and the lake. I am sure there are endearing parts of the area we were unable to experience due to our short stay.
Xela was magnificent and we hope to go back one day.
Good luck to you.
Reply
5.
Catherine Todd Says:
May 10, 2009 at 9:19 am
Ah, thank you so much for your response. I was concerned that perhaps I shouldn’t have written mine, so I am very relieved. It was actually GOOD for me to find out what it’s like for people who don’t live there to visit there, as Calle Santander (the tourist trap) can be a nightmare for even the locals, but since it’s such a small part of my life there I didn’t realize that it might be someone’s entire experience.
The negotiation for buying anything can be so bad that I myself quit buying things in Pana, until I met good people that I always do business with. I finally realized there are three prices in Guatemala: the first “real” price is for the Guatemalans, the second is for the foreigners who live there, and the third is for the gringo tourists who visit. The “gringo price” is, as you can imagine, sky high, or at least 4 times the price. I pay double the price, as I am a gringo who lives there, and truly, I can afford it. We are usually talking about a few pennies or a dollar difference. But when they try to give me the tourist price, at ten times the regular price, I get mad and say “I am not a tourist. I live here!” and the price immediately gets cut in half!
I am going to take your notes with me and bring this up at a meeting to see what we can do to improve things in the area.
There are so many tourists coming and foreigners buying property and retiring or living around the lake that I always say I “speak more English when I’m in Guatemala than I do here in North Carlina.” So your experience is very, very important and we must work to preserve a positive way of life for all concerned. Thank you so much. Your description of the lake is one of the most beautiful and accurate I’ve ever read. I hope you do come back to visit. Be sure to let me know.
Yours, Catherine Todd, catherinetodd2@gmail.com
Reply
6.
Catherine Todd Says:
May 10, 2009 at 9:23 am
I live in North Carolina, USA (mispelled as Carlina). Can you correct this and use the full name of “Panajachel” (not the short version Pana” as I wrote) and delete this current note? Thanks…
Archived Entry
* Post Date :
* December 31, 2007 at 8:17 pm
The Bramanda Band
Posted by streickly
Since nothing was going on in Xela this weekend (and because we certainly didn’t want to study) Brandon and I took off to spend the weekend at Lake Atitlan. We rode in another dreaded chicken-bus — which, I should clarify, are decked out, old American school buses which only rarely carry chickens but are always stuffed with twice their capacity in passengers and make a rule of traveling at vomit-worthy speeds — which we were promised would take us directly en route to Lake Atitlan’s main city, Panajachel. We changed buses three times — Guatemalan style. Anyway, all forced inconveniences were forgiven as we caught site of the lake on our last descent from the mountainside. Lake Atitlan is indescribably beautiful — it literally took our breath away. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this Gautemalen jewel, it’s a gigantic lake with three towering volcanoes kissing its shores. Encircling the entire lake are mountains covered with dense foliage, spotted with occasional patterns of maize fields. Several small communities are found along the lake, accessible only by boat. It was to one of these little cities that Brandon and I were planning to stay for the short duration of our trip.
So, as soon as we landed in Panajachel early Saturday morning we called to reserve a place to stay. A quaint little hotel with a sauna and private hot tub for 20 bucks, quoted as the best in our trusty guidebook — a real treat after a long week. Ah, too bad. It was full. So was the next place. And the next. After two hours of calls and seven small, fully-booked lake communities later (we guessed it was some sort of hidden high season), we admitted defeat and resorted to finding a place to stay in Panajachel. Panajachel is not that bad, it just reminded me of what I imagine Cancun is like. A million international tourists stomping around, buying crappy trinkets for too much money and taking photos of the locals without asking while at the same time the undignified locals try to cheat the tourists for all they’re worth and there’s not an ounce of the traditional culture to be found — that sort of thing. So we settled for a room in a bright, empty hotel with a rooftop view of the lake. Which was perfect until the 25-strong American high school marching band came to stay there, too. Anyway, we made the best of it and did some of our own shopping, ate a yummy non-Guatemalan meal and drank some wine to the sunset over the lake on our rooftop deck in the evening. We even watched some British TV and then vowed to go in the morning to what was promised to be the most traditional city across the lake — Santiago.
The boat ride was definitely a highlight of the weekend. It took an hour to cross, enough time to enjoy the beauty of the perfectly aquamarine lake water and snap lots of bad photos of the looming volcanoes. Santiago is a benign appearing little village, nestled into the mountainside between three volcanoes. However, when we docked in Santiago, we were immediately accosted by tons of little boys who jumped into the boat and asked if we needed guides … or taxis … or keychains … not even a pen? We squeezed by without buying anything and proceeded up the main thoroughfare into the town. What we found were shops and shops and shops and shops and shops, mirroring those we thought we had left behind in Panahachel, and people yelling at us to buy things and small children who held out there chubby paws, opened their cherub mouths and said “Quetzale” (the Guatemalan currency). When we didn’t give them money, they spanked their butts at us, muttered swear words and ran to find another unsuspecting tourist. Tourism had trashed this town as it had trashed Panajachel — and we felt guilty and disillusioned. We were also feeling hungry so we had a nice cafe lunch of Wonderbread and American processed cheese, with leering children hanging over our plates as we ate. We got on the next boat back to Panajachel and then took the next available bus to Xela.
As we ascended the mountain on our way back, we hardly even glanced at the beautiful mountain lake as we washed our hands of Atitlan and its serene little villages. In any case, it was an experience that we wouldn’t not recommend to someone else.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
* Sunset, Lake Atitlan
* Investigator On Boat Accident
6 Responses to “Lake Atitlan’s Monster”
1.
Linda Says:
January 1, 2008 at 12:50 pm
It all sounds so warm and green, as I sit here looking out at a near blizzard with giant wind-tossed snowflakes punctuated by red cardinals and bluejays in the trees trying to stay put.
Even in the disillusionment it sounds exotic and beautiful there!
Enjoy all for a lifetime of memories.
Reply
2.
Catherine Todd Says:
May 9, 2009 at 4:17 am
Wonderful blog entry; I live in Panajachel part time and love it there. Can’t wait to go back, especially after reading this! I posted a bit on my own blog, with a link back here.
http://lakeatitlan.blogspot.com/
Hope this is alright, and hope we run into each other in Pana one day!
Yours, Catherine Todd
Reply
3.
Catherine Todd Says:
May 9, 2009 at 4:22 am
Whoops… I hadn’t read the whole entry; just the first part describing the beauty of the Lake. Oh, My Goodness! I removed the excerpt from my blog, even though I am sure you did have a bad experience… but luckily that has not been the case for me. I guess it’s because I live there and have friends and “no where to go.” Makes a difference if you’ve been somewhere for awhile, I suppose.
I know parts of the tourism part is “inconvenient” and messy and the tourist traps do overcharge (bargaining is part of the Latin American culture), but believe me there’s still plenty to love about Pana and the villages around the lake.
I hope you give it another chance one day, at times when there’s less tourists (like right now, for example). I’ve been to Xela a couple of times and it is spectacular there. Hope you are enjoying it.
Reply
4.
streickly Says:
May 10, 2009 at 8:05 am
Thanks for the note, Catherine.
Traveling is so individualized, I am not surprised we had different impressions of Pana and the lake. I am sure there are endearing parts of the area we were unable to experience due to our short stay.
Xela was magnificent and we hope to go back one day.
Good luck to you.
Reply
5.
Catherine Todd Says:
May 10, 2009 at 9:19 am
Ah, thank you so much for your response. I was concerned that perhaps I shouldn’t have written mine, so I am very relieved. It was actually GOOD for me to find out what it’s like for people who don’t live there to visit there, as Calle Santander (the tourist trap) can be a nightmare for even the locals, but since it’s such a small part of my life there I didn’t realize that it might be someone’s entire experience.
The negotiation for buying anything can be so bad that I myself quit buying things in Pana, until I met good people that I always do business with. I finally realized there are three prices in Guatemala: the first “real” price is for the Guatemalans, the second is for the foreigners who live there, and the third is for the gringo tourists who visit. The “gringo price” is, as you can imagine, sky high, or at least 4 times the price. I pay double the price, as I am a gringo who lives there, and truly, I can afford it. We are usually talking about a few pennies or a dollar difference. But when they try to give me the tourist price, at ten times the regular price, I get mad and say “I am not a tourist. I live here!” and the price immediately gets cut in half!
I am going to take your notes with me and bring this up at a meeting to see what we can do to improve things in the area.
There are so many tourists coming and foreigners buying property and retiring or living around the lake that I always say I “speak more English when I’m in Guatemala than I do here in North Carlina.” So your experience is very, very important and we must work to preserve a positive way of life for all concerned. Thank you so much. Your description of the lake is one of the most beautiful and accurate I’ve ever read. I hope you do come back to visit. Be sure to let me know.
Yours, Catherine Todd, catherinetodd2@gmail.com
Reply
6.
Catherine Todd Says:
May 10, 2009 at 9:23 am
I live in North Carolina, USA (mispelled as Carlina). Can you correct this and use the full name of “Panajachel” (not the short version Pana” as I wrote) and delete this current note? Thanks…
Archived Entry
* Post Date :
* December 31, 2007 at 8:17 pm
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