Day #7 - Friday Last Day of Service

July 1^st, 2016

Santa Cruz La Laguna

                Once again, after rising early to a breakfast of fruit, yogurt, and eggs, the group set out to San Marcos. Upon arrival, we promptly finished the final pieces of our projects. The last bench was assembled, the handles to the ATC box were crafted and attached, and the shop was left neater than how we found it—as is the Girl Scout way. We helped Nate carry the ATC tools back up to the shed, which he claimed to be only ten feet away… so one can only imagine the despair we felt the second we were forced to take more than 20 steps. However, we survived the trip and lived to see another lunch at Konojel. Today’s meal was a portion of kidney beans, rice, vegetables, a type of lemon drink—and as per usual, lots of tortillas. After eating, and the disappointing discovery that there were no Guatemalan chocolate chip cookies, we all headed back towards the Cambalacha. We stopped at a sort of fair hosted by the Waldorf school, where there was an array of drinks, desserts, books, and other knickknacks for sale. After stuffing our faces and backpacks, went back to the workshop to bring our furniture down to San Marcos’ elementary school. A long, grueling, tortuous trek downhill led us to the school, which also happened to be our next worksite. We learned how to build a wall using fermented cactus, water, and a mixture of different powders. We had to apply and smooth down the cement-like mixture to the wall, which we managed to accomplish by getting more mixture on the ground than where it was supposed to be and a little (or a lot of) help from Rudolpho. When the wall was finished, we returned to the Cambalacha where a mysterious surprise from Lucas and Fatima was waiting. It turned out to be a chocolate mousse desert, gluten free and made with goat milk. The group agreed that dessert before dinner was always a good idea. The girls cleaned up in the kitchen, performing a variety of Disney songs for a confused school teacher while they worked. After being told to save it for the karaoke later that evening, the girls joined the rest of the group in heading up to Rudolpho’s house, where they were to be served dinner. Another long, grueling, tortuous trek ensued. We walked up into a small villa that stood above San Marcos, which had quite the view. As per usual, there were dogs everywhere. At Rudolpho’s house, we were served vegetables, rice, chicken, sauce, and more tortillas. Lucas demonstrated his ability to consume copious amounts of spicy chili sauce while only breaking into tears twice. Maya fell in love with a puppy (Raya) and most likely would have walked away with him if she had been carrying 25 Quetzales (and if her mom hadn’t been present). We thanked the family by buying a few of their hand-woven pieces, and made our way back down to sea level. Lake level? On the way, the girls attempted to demonstrate a piggyback ride to the locals, learned about the legal driving and drinking age, and how none of those rules were ever enforced. When we arrived at the promised karaoke place, we had to sit through many painful songs before deciding that the audience’s eardrums had already bled so much that anything we could throw at them probably wasn’t worse. Nate led the way with an acapella version of Rox by the Decemberists, followed closely by Anne, Reates, and Tina. Everyone eventually made an appearance onstage in one group or another (though some after much deliberation). The performances featured locals, tourists, and a surprise duet by Charlie and Gabby (Lucas’ parents). When the clock struck 8:30, the group was dismayed to find that they had to say goodbye to their Guatemalan friends much too soon. The last precious minutes were spent trying to convince Charlie and Gabby that Ann Arbor would be a great place for their son to study abroad, and that they should stop considering that place in Iowa because nobody actually moves to Iowa. After a rushed goodbye to Fatima and Lucas, with promises to keep in touch, the group went to leave San Marcos for what could be (for many) the last time. The boat ride back was quiet. The girls showered, chatted, and relaxed on their last night on the lakeside.