Wow! I am so glad to read all the enthusiastic comments. First off, thanks for the website link. I am anxious to send off my photos.
SK42 described the trip really well. It was uncomfortable, cold, dirty, and amazing. We traveled in Central America for 4 months and the three days we spent on this trek we the most memorable and life changing. It truly made me realize how lucky I am just to have food and shelter-- that the rest of my problems are insignificant in comparison. It also made me realize that kindness and smiles transcend language.
We were there in January as well and did not get to see many birds either. It was very cold the day we were scheduled to go hiking so we stayed inside most of the morning and helped to women shuck corn and make tortillas. That was probably more fun than hiking with our guide. We found that some women know a bit of spanish but are quite shy. They loved getting pictures and videos taken with the digital camera. And the kids loved to play soccer, indoors and out. Even if you dont like to play it is worth it just to bond with the kids.
I think it is really helpful to have some spanish as you will go to places where no one speaks English. Also, it is nice to bring a gift for the family like sweet bread or cookies-- something that can be easily shared as there always seems to be more people coming out of the wood work. Also, I would recommend bringing drinking water or a way to purify rain water (which most of the houses collect). They will try to boil water for you to drink, but it ends up tasting smoky and greasy from the fire.
I was also told that they only have two guests per household, so that may mean that they would split your family up. I hope you enjoy!
Chrissy
Re: Proyecto Ecoquetzal
Thanks, Chrissy, for your continued input. I will try and catch the office tomorrow and see what I can arrange. I think it is all quite clear and exciting- I may get back to you with some questions, if that is ok, once I get it all booked. It sounds like a great program and a solid organization...
Cheers-
Ronnie
Further to #10 - Yes, it was really cold at night in January when we were there (close to freezing), but luckily it was sunny during the day which warmed things up quite a bit.
And yes, basic Spanish is essential. No-one will speak any English, you can almost be guaranteed of that. Just remember, Spanish is a second language for your hosts as much as it is for you. I actually found it easier, sometimes, communicating in Spanish in Chicabnab than in areas where Spanish is the first language, because we were all in the same boat, so we all avoided big words, complicated sentence structures, etc.
We brought our own water along.
They do normally have a policy of only 2 people per house (most houses only have room for 2 people anyway), but I'm sure if you let them know you'll be travelling with your kids they'll be able to arrange something.
Just an observation from travels with our kids through the years when we had to split the family for accomodations: sometimes the conversations you have about those experiences are fabulous, beyond what you'd have if you were all sharing one experience. Occasionally over the years we've stayed in hostels with single sex dorms or homestays with a limit of 2 or 3 (we have 2 sons and a daughter) so a parent and 1 or 2 kids would go each direction. We found that the kids made really interesting observations and philosophical statements when they had to explain to those of us who weren't with them how they felt about their experiences. Together or apart, I hope your family has a wonderful time and that you'll tell us all about it.
Thanks to all on the great tips-I look forward to telling you what happened- as for now I am going to call the Projecto Ecoquetzal to get the ball rolling....If anything pops into your mind regarding what to bring and do,etc., I will certainly like to hear it- cheers! Ronnie
Our photos are linked below, though I haven't been to the highlands of Guatemala for nearly 20 years so those photos are a little aged (can't wait to head back this summer!). There are Tikal area photos with the Belize ones including a travelogue.
My packing list is #15 in the FAQ thread in case you're interested. The most important thing for a happy family trip is PACK REALLY LIGHT. If you limit each person's luggage to a smallish carry-on size you'll thank yourself every day. I recommend conversion packs (straps tuck away if you decide to check them on the way home) but there are lots of options. Some prefer wheels but they're a nuisance to me, too loud, adding weight and taking up space in my luggage, clumsy outside of airports and places with decent sidewalks (in other words, the places I prefer). Here are some great packing light website links:
One Bag
Rick Steves Packing Light
Re. 15 Hopefulist
HI there- I liked your stuff on packing and actually printed it out to read over breakfast!...Actually, no matter how much and how long I have traveled (and it has been a good amount over the years) I have never really gotten it down right, this whole packing thing...and now I have to help my two younger teenagers and wife get it all into one backpack for 3 weeks (and much of this will be rough, some not), in Guatemala (including Highlands and hopefully Projecto Ecoquetzal!), and then one week of none of this...,in Manhattan!
I bought the kids (nearly 13 and 15) two large 90 liter backpacks thinking that they may be as large as they are (my kids are on the small side) but we will have it on our backs and there will be room for stuff (and they are used to carrying things on their backs). And of course there are all kinds of approaches and philosophies, and I shmoozed with the people in the local travelling goods store about this...I will enjoy reading your referred links- thanks!
Ronnie
Hi-
Wow I came across the "Proyecto Ecologico Quetzal" organization website a couple days ago. I am planning a trip to the region in late August for six weeks until early October. This trip sounds absolutely amazing and essential for a true experience of the region. I want authentic, minimal, I don't want electricity. That gap makes us appreciate our world so much. I emailed them but have not heard back. It's only been a couple days so I'm probably just a little over-anxious. Problem is - I really don't even speak Spanish. I'm learning, two weeks worth, but I can't communicate for three days in Spanish. Based on the above comments I'm a bit worried that I don't qualify.
In 1993 I did a similar trip with a Berber family in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco - blew my mind. I was young and idiotic, but it was as real as it gets. I need that again.
I hope to hear back from them, and I hope it might work with Engllish, although now doubting that...
cheers
I sent them various emails before I went (both in English and in Spanish) as well but never heard back. Eventually I just went to their offices when I got to Coban. The offices are a bit of a walk from the centre of Coban, but not too far (maybe 15 minutes).
I actually arrived in Coban on a Saturday evening and had been hoping to leave for the trip on the Monday, but didn't hold my hopes up. I went to the offices on Sunday anyway - as I expected the office was closed. But someone in the street saw me and directed me to the house of one of the people who run the organisation - it was only about 100m away. They were a little perturbed when I first knocked on their front door, but then they were very good and said that they would arrange things so that we could depart on the trip on Monday morning. I was very impressed with the level of dedication.
As to not speaking much Spanish: I think you will cope. It will obviously be preferable (and more rewarding for you, I think) if you spoke some Spanish, but you can still get by without any. People will always find a way to communicate even if they have no language in common. In my experience during the day the Spanish speakers were all either working or at school anyway, so we were left with no language in common and we got on fine.
trusted partner
