Monday through Friday we will follow this general schedule:


7:30 - 8:00 AM

  1. Eat breakfast with your family

9:00 AM-12:00 Noon

  1. Morning activity

12:30 - 1:30 PM

  1. Eat lunch with family

2:00 - 6:00 PM

  1. Afternoon class

7:00 - 8:00 PM

  1. Eat dinner with family

On Saturdays the meal schedule will be basically the same, except you and your family may want to adjust it a little, especially a later breakfast time. On Sundays, you will need to go to a local restaurant to buy your meals. Don't worry! There are many good, inexpensive restaurants in town. The morning activities are an integral part of the program and there are many fun and educational programs planned. Here is the schedule for our arrival, morning trips, our big adventure to Lake Atitlán, and our departure.  Tuesday, June 24 Arrival in Guatemala Plan on arriving in Guatemala on this day. Let us know your flight number and airline and we'll pick you up at the airport and bring you to your Guatemalan family in Antigua. Once you're settled in, take a stroll around the city. We'll be coming around to see how you're doing and help you get settled in.  Wednesday, June 25 - 10:00 Cerro de la cruz We start the first morning off with an invigorating climb to the top of a hill overlooking Antigua. You can get a great view of the architecture and general layout of the city from up here. Be sure to bring your water bottle!  Thursday, June 26 - 9:00 Mañanas Mayas We visit the Mayan women's collective in San Antonio Aguas Calientes. These women have committed themselves to making and thereby preserving traditional Mayan clothing and crafts. We will be able to participate in a mock Mayan wedding and then have time to look at the many items they have on display and taste some locally prepared food.  Friday, June 27 - 9:00 Mayan religious ceremony This is one of the most fascinating parts of the entire program. We will visit the town of San Andrés Itzapa, where many in the local Mayan population worship Maximón. There is a certain amount of blending of the Mayan and Catholic traditions in these ceremonies and sacrifices that take place. We will visit the local Catholic church and observe how both religions influence each other.   Saturday, June 28 - 9:00 Tour of Antigua with Elizabeth Bell One of the main forces in making Antigua the cultural treasure that it is today, Elizabeth Bell will show us ruins that have been recently excavated in Antigua and explain their significance. We will meet at the fountain in the Main Square for an informative walk of this colonial capital. She will focus on cultural tends, city history, and restoration efforts. This comprehensive three-hour tour begins to explain the rich history and detailed working behind life and culture in Antigua Guatemala.  Sunday, June 29 - 7:00 AM Leave for Lake Atitlán - Lunch at the Reserva Nacional We leave early on our big adventure to Lake Atitlán. We stop for lunch at the Reserva Nacional, where, if we're very quiet, we will be able to see howler monkeys in the trees. Afterwards, we will go to Panajachel, where we will stay in a hotel for the night. There are lots of little stores and cafes to explore here!  Monday, June 30 - 9:00 AM Boat Ride to Villages around Lake Atitlán We go down to the boat landing, just a block from our hotel, and board our boat that will take us to several Mayan villages on the shores of the lake. The Maya people of Atitlán are predominantly Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel. Santiago Atitlán is the largest of the lakeside communities , and is noted for its worship of Maximón, an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints and conquistador legends. The villages are fascinating, but it's even more fun along the way. The water is so still and the scenery is so beautiful, that it will be hard to leave the boat! After eating lunch and relaxing a little, we will start our bus ride back to Antigua.  Tuesday, July 1 - All Morning Free Morning After our big trip to Lake Atitlán, you can sleep in and relax or use the time to get things done around town in Antigua. Spanish classes resume as usual at 2:00 PM.  Wednesday, July 2 - 9:00 AM Cooking Tortillas A week ago, we learned about the importance of corn in the Mayan culture. Today a local expert will teach us how to make tortillas from scratch. We will mash the corn, form the dough, and cook our own tortillas on a comal. They may not look like perfect tortillas, but they sure will taste good!  Thursday, July 3 - 9:00 AM Centro Cultural La Azotea Museos de Café, Música y Cultura Three museums in one, you will learn about how coffee has been and is still being grown in Guatemala, the unique musical instruments and customs found here, and the Mayan traditions practiced in the local province of Sacatepéquez. Feel free to ask questions of the museum staff as you explore the museum. Afterwards, stroll through the beautiful gardens and see many different native plants that are labeled with the local and scientific names.  Friday, July 4 - 9:00 AM Visit to local schools As teachers, we are lucky that our summer months are regular class days for the Guatemalans. We visit two local schools to see how Guatemalan children spend their learning time. Be prepared for some surprises!  Saturday, July 5 - 10:00 AM Clase de Baile If you like to dance, this is your chance to learn the special dances that Guatemalans love to do. Expert and patient teachers show you how to do it. Lots of fun for everyone! ¡Salsa! ¡Merengue! ¡y más!  Sunday, July 6 - 8:00 AM Volcán Pacaya We spend the whole day climbing one of Guatemala's active volcanoes. The ground gets hotter as you go higher. Amazing views and great exercise. Be sure to bring sturdy shoes that won't melt!  Monday, July 7 - 8:00 AM Volunteer in a local school Spend the more helping a local teacher in the classroom. You can use your skills to teach an English lesson, play with the children, or observe. It's your choice, but no matter what, you'll value the experience.!  Tuesday morning, July 8 Free Morning You can choose to return to the same place that you volunteered yesterday or you can spend the day finishing up things in Antigua. Final day of classes starts at 2:00 PM. this afternoon.  Tuesday evening, July 8 - 7:00 PM Goodbye Party We meet at the school for a goodbye party with our families and teachers. Lots of good food to share with each other!  Wednesday, July 9 Return home Return home Time to return home. Let us know you flight number, airline, and departure time so that we can pick up you and your family and get you to the airport in time for your flight. http://www.centroazotea.com/http://www.centroazotea.com/shapeimage_3_link_0

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