Day trip to Pacaya

One of our biggest adventures was a day trip to the active volcano Pacaya. This is the volcano that had erupted merely 3 weeks before we arrived, shutting the airport and covering Guatemala City with ash. The original route that we were going to use was closed due to the mudslides and lava fields, so we went another way around. We had hired a driver and ended up waiting an hour at the Maxi Bodega (grocery store---owned by Walmart of course!). Tiffany kept Maryn and Naty busy while we waited: After a long and windy bus ride we got to get out and walk right by the hot lava field. The lava was steaming and even red in places. It was so hot to walk next too! But what an experience. The guide told us that the lava will remain hot/warm for up to 18 months! The place where we hiked was a farmers field and he was now turning to tourism because his grazing fields were covered with lava. He said, "what am I going to do...it's my land!". So he put up a gate and charged admission for people to come and see the lava! How creative.

Here we all are next to the big lava field. We roasted our marshmallows and poked at the red lava and then headed back to the van for the long, windy ride home. Another great memory!