Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Guatemala

(Yes, I have been very very late with my posting!  This should have been posted on September 25th... sorry! A little bit too tranquila perhaps? )

3 weeks of volunteering in a lodge hostel, located next to one of the most beautiful natural park in the world.

Semuc Champey is " a natural monument in the department of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, near the Q'eqchi' Maya town of Lanquín. It consists of a natural 300 m limestone bridge, under which passes the Cahabón River. Atop the bridge is a series of stepped, turquoise pools, a popular swimming attraction. Although it can be difficult to get to, Semuc is becoming more and more popular with travelers." --- thank you wiki!

The lodge Utopia is located 3 km from Semuc and 20m from Lanquin, the closest town ... In the middle of nowhere!
My job as a volunteer was to welcome guests, check them in, serve them food, socialize with them and help organizing their tours at Semuc. My shifts: 4pm- 12 am,  3pm- 11pm,  7.30am-3.30pm, 6am- 2pm, day off ...
In exchange, I had a bed, 3 meals every day and access to the kitchen for extras, drinks and free tours.

So when I don't work, I read a lot in a hamac or on a swing, I talk to guests, I walk or swim in the river, I go tubing on the river or I relax in Semuc Champey.
One day, for the independence day (sept 15th), I went to Lanquin to spend the day. Not much to see but nice animation for the occasion: la Piñata!

Chicken!!! 

After 3 weeks, I feel the need to get back to the civilization and to my "long voyage". I met great people here. The Maya people are fantastic! The kitchen girls, the guides...
However, I am tired of humidity, bed bugs, smell of tabaco&co, lack of meat, sedentarity. ...

In a couple of days, I'll be on the road again!

Adele Bouaziz