Pasaj-Cap

This is what I see when I am in my headstand
during my yoga practise

Our accommodations are a little bit of what make this experience so profound. Situated directly on Lake Atitlan, our apartment overlooks a great expanse of water and is completely surrounded by the majesty of mountains. Three volcanoes make their presence known in front of us. Though they are not active, I have seen another one in the distance spouting little puffs of smoke almost as a message of welcome and a reminder of awe.  It does so regularly.

You can see Santiago in the background

Scattered around the lake are small villages inhabited by Mayan people. I have found the Mayan population (in general) to be friendly, smiling, happy people who welcome visitors and encourage conversation. The there are two indigenous languages spoken here; Kaqchikel and Tz'utujil. I have read recently that the lake people of Atitlan are used to interacting with strangers and with people who speak different languages, and were so long before tourists began to come to this wonderland of their home.

Banana flower

The closest village to our place is San Marcos. Just opposite San Marcos across the lake is San Pedro. Today will be our first time there. Apparently, San Pedro is known for their Sunday market and Barbeque.  To get there we walk down to the dock in front of our place to wave down the shuttle boat that passes every 20 minutes or so. It is there to transport people (travellers and locals) around the lake.

Yesterday I picked a grapefruit off the ground. It had lazily fallen from the tree. This morning we ate it. There’s nothing better!

Our apartment is made of white plaster walls and framed in pine and red cedar wood with bamboo roofing. There are no pictures or other ornamentation on the walls or shelves. There’s no need. The beauty of the surroundings is all that’s needed. The windows circling the apartment invite the feeling of being outside and inside all at the same time. The sound of the wind and the gentle flow of the lake’s waters are heard constantly.

Our bed sits on a large wooden platform and is surrounded by curtains to provide enclosure from the night air and the early morning sun. The fully equipped kitchen allows us to make delicious meals and slow leisurely breakfasts. We love having the opportunity to cook together and eat while watching the beauty of the world outside.

The countertops and floors and cabinets are all made of polished cement. There is a huge bathtub in the bathroom made of the same and has provided us with some soothing, warm baths. A walk in closet with drawers and shelves has more than enough space for our backpack-sized supplies.

Ready for Yoga

Atop of our apartment is a small roof terrace where there are lounge chairs and tables. The platform is solid and I have been practising Yoga up there in the early mornings. Even then (8:00) the sun is strong. There is a lovely breeze that refreshes. The sky is always blue spattered with gentle white clouds that often circle the mountains reinforcing the connection between earth and sky.

All the furniture is handmade by the local people here. Everything is constructed from wood. A hammock hangs diagonally across the ceiling. As I hang, I am embraced by the scene in front of me.

The Mayan workers here are paid very well by local standards. There is a definite feeling of mutual respect and a shared sense of camaraderie. It is comfortable for me to know the people working here are not being exploited and I feel good helping to provide respectful work and contributing to livelihoods.

Spectacular Beauty

Pasaj-Cap is remote. There is no other place around here, and even after being here for three days, Paul and I have yet to meet any of the other inhabitants apparently living in the other bungalows and casitas or apartments. We hear there are about 20 other people living here with us. It has been strategically constructed for privacy and quiet. I feel that peacefulness within as I live here.

Usually Paul and I travel without plans for accommodation, preferring to find our place once we arrive. We chose differently this time, for two reasons: 1-our friends stay here in the winters and encouraged us to try it, and 2- there was a good chance that some of our children would come and stay with us a little. (That isn’t happening after all.) It is a bit more costly than what we usually spend for accommodation, but we thought it would be worth it. Being here so far, there is no doubt we made the right choice!

Paradise!