2019 Alice Deal Guatemala Program

Accommodations

El Dragon Hotel

This boutique hotel is located directly on the shores of the stunning Lake Atitlán in San Marcos La Laguna. The unique location, quaint rooms, and artistic garden spaces will make any guest feel like they are in paradise. Free Wi-Fi throughout the facilities keep everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped according to gender in their rooms.

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Hostal Villa Toscana

This family hotel offers all the comforts of home in Guatemala City, in a friendly and welcoming environment. Just around the corner from the airport, the convenience and warmth of Hostal Villa Toscana make this the perfect place to stay before catching an international flight back to the USA. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

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Hostel Posada Hermano Pedro

Hostel Posada Hermano Pedro offers spacious rooms and comfortable beds, each with its private bathroom, hot water, television and the special attention of their staff that will make your stay a pleasant rest. Free Wi-Fi can be used throughout the building and students will grouped according to gender in double or triple rooms based on availability.

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Group Flight

DEPARTURE FROM USA

Airline: Avianca
Flight: AV583
Date: February 16, 2019
Departs: Washington, D.C. (IAD)– 3:15 PM
Arrives: El Salvador (SAL) – 7:00 PM

Airline: Avianca
Flight: AV588
Date: February 16, 2019
Departs: El Salvador (SAL) – 8:10 PM
Arrives: Guatemala City (GUA) – 8:55 PM

RETURN TO USA

Airline: Avianca
Flight: AV443
Date: February 23, 2019
Departs: Guatemala City (GUA) – 5:35 PM
Arrives: El Salvador (SAL) – 6:25 PM

Airline: Avianca
Flight: AV590
Date: February 23, 2019
Departs: El Salvador (SAL) – 8:15 PM
Arrives: Washington, D.C. (IAD) – 1:31 AM

Once your flight has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION 
Air travel can be unpredictable.  Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc.  Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route.  Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night.  Our primary role will be to  keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a  quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

San Juan de la Laguna

Be excited! Your host community of San Juan de la Laguna sits on the northwest shore of Lake Atitlan which is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful destinations in the entire world. San Juan, as it is commonly known, was founded in 1618 and is nestled on the water’s edge below towering green mountains and three looming (but dormant) volcanoes. Even as the forces of modernity grow stronger in many respects San Juan La Laguna remains a very traditional village; the older generations still dress in spectacular customary fashion while the youth boast a more modern style. The traditional language of Tz’utujil is widely used by residents of all ages. Finally, religion in central to the lives of many villagers.

Evangelism in particular has thrived in Guatemala over the past decades and as a result on Sundays many businesses are closed and church is widely attended.

Living Conditions in Home Stay

In Guatemala, most homes are constructed of concrete, cinder blocks and brick with tin and red clay tiles used for roofing. In rural Guatemala housing styles vary; you’ll still find homes made of adobe, though nowadays cinder block houses are becoming increasingly popular. Most of the rural houses in Guatemala have 3 bedrooms, a kitchen and a small living area. A shared bathroom is the norm. Students may have to share a bedroom with a host sibling of the same sex, but will always have their own bed.

In Guatemala it is very common to live with your parents until you get married as well as for the elderly to move back in with their family so many homes are multi-generational. Most of the houses in rural Guatemala, aren’t that modern; wood and gas stoves are quite common and in many cases the kitchen is outside. Some homestay families will have microwave, TV, toasters and other types of kitchen appliances, however don’t expect them to have dishwasher and all laundry is done by hand using the sink that is located outside the house. All the houses are equipped with electricity and running water, even though some villages do struggle with water shortages. Most homes in Guatemala don’t have WiFi or internet service.  Please take note that internet connection will be limited during the homestay portion of the trip.

Actual project details

The project is based on the colorful Guatapé sockets in Colombia. Guatapé is famous today for its “sockets” artistically crafted brightly colored tiles that decorate homes, businesses, and churches throughout the well-preserved historic village. These unique sockets are the primary reason Guatapé is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

The idea is to replicate this concept into San Juan La Laguna’s streets in order to provide a vibrant atmosphere in the homestay community. In the previous years, WTT has been supporting the Mayan cultural identity by painting murals. In this opportunity, the group will work on enhancing the charm of the town having a balance between murals and home sockets.

This project will benefit the community in the long-term. By enhancing the town’s visual effect, will attract more visitors which will boost the local economy, because visitors will buy and consume more goods from the locals and not from vicinity towns. With this project, we will protect the Mayan Tzutujil roots, by using the community’s traditional colors expressed in their textiles. This includes icons that each homeowner would love to have in the new colored facade.

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list that is provided as a guideline. Feel free to augment as you feel necessary.  We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on hikes, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with.  We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination. 

Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT and STUDENT ID.

CLOTHES (quantities depend on your trip length) :

• Underwear
• Socks (a mixture of good hiking socks and casual socks)
• T-shirts (some quick dry)
• Long sleeve shirt
• Lightweight sweater (especially if doing service work in the communities around Lake Atitlan)
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Travel/athletic shorts that are breathable and light
• Comfortable/hiking/everyday pants (NOT all jeans)
• 1 nice shirt/top to be worn to more formal dinners (girls might want a skirt or something a little nicer for such occasions, boys may want to opt for a polo shirt or button up shirt with jeans)
• Durable athletic/hiking shoes with good grip
• Sandals (Chaco/Teva/Keen/Merrel sandals are great to have for water activities)
• Work gloves – required for service work
• Bandana for work site (optional)
• A hat that can protect your neck
• Swimming suit, for surf classes a rash guard is recommended for sensitive skins

TOILETRIES: BRING THE BASIC TOILETRIES YOU NEED PLUS:

• Sunscreen (You will use a lot. Natural products/lotions are preferred over aerosol, especially for the beach)
• Mosquito repellent (non-deet/lotions are preferred to reduce environmental impact)
• Band Aids and Neosporin
• Hand Sanitizer
• Medication in properly marked original container. It’s important that medication travel in its original container, as customs officials have the right to confiscate it otherwise.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Sunglasses
• Journal and pen
• Book
• Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
• Alarm Clock and watch
• Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $50-$150, depending on number of desired snacks, souvenirs, extra items etc.)
• Durable water bottle
• 1 quick-dry towel
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Batteries
• Deck of cards or other portable games
• Host family gift
• Spanish/English Dictionary

HOMESTAY GIFTS
Travelers often contact us regarding what an appropriate gift might be for their student’s host family. Host families are often curious about where our students come from and their families in the U.S. As such, we recommend a simple gift that describes, represents or depicts your home. Well-received gifts in the past have included calendars or picture/coffee table books from your city or state, a framed picture of your family, paraphernalia from a local sports team, toys, soccer balls, school supplies, or something produced or grown in your hometown, like chocolate, local candy, t-shirts, etc. The most important thing to keep in mind is not to worry about this… Anything, no matter its value, will be well received!

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional support staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find a list of the team members involved in the planning, organizing, and leadership of your program.

Luke Mueller

Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO

[email protected]

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Emory University – B.A. Sociology and minor in Latin American History

During college, Luke spent a semester living and traveling in rural Mexico. His experience sparked a fascination with Latin America and a commitment to community service that continues to this day. Upon graduating from college, he joined WorldTeach and lived with a local family in a small village in Costa Rica while teaching elementary English. After this experience, he moved to San José, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and wrote for The Tico Times newspaper. Luke has since traveled to over 60 countries on five different continents.  Now settled in Denver with his family, he continues to crave massive helpings of rice and beans.

Guillermo Montoya Berganza

Guatemala & Belize Country Director

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Universidad Rafael Landivar – B.A. Marketing with emphasis on Advertising
Postgraduate studies in Business Management, Costa Rica and India

Guillermo was born and raised in Guatemala. He has traveled throughout North and Central America, and parts of Europe and India. His first intercultural experience took place in North Dakota and Canada as an exchange student. He then volunteered with an international organization in Guatemala that provides educational opportunities to young students. Through this organization, he became a guide for a Latin American student group in Norway and Denmark, giving him the opportunity to explore several European countries and find his traveler spirit. Guillermo lives in Antigua, Guatemala, where he works to support independent coffee farmers and an artisan community and leads programs throughout Central America. He speaks both Spanish and English and enjoys adventure travel, photography and history.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

• 1 Amaia Noursi
• 2 Ana Reynolds-Collette
• 3 Asha Mueller
• 4 Caitlin Daniels - Group Organizer
• 5 Felix Shareno
• 6 Havana Uriegas
• 7 Jaedyn Tyree
• 8 Jonathan Bartlett
• 9 Jorge Delgado - Group Organizer
• 10 Julianne Vanarsdale
• 11 Kiran Mahurkar
• 12 Lily Pangelinan
• 13 Lucia Diaz O'Brian
• 14 Selden Pickens
• 15 Sophie Widenhouse
• 16 Talia Jackson

Blog and Communication

During travel we will work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blogs and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program.  Students regularly contribute to these posts, giving parents a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will receive an email notification when the first blog is posted, after which we recommend you check in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this page.

Beyond this proactive approach to communication during the trip, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants semi-regular access to WiFi so you can also expect to communicate with your traveler directly. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

GLC Curriculum

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is important that we create an environment of trust, security and respect. All individuals participating in our programs are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of behavioral conduct.

ABSOLUTE DISMISSAL

1.  Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of, or are consuming, or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety.
4. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
7. Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Guatemala website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult with your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before travel.

Our in-country staff prepare meticulously for all programs. Walking Tree will register our programs and travelers with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergency. In country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families via in depth interviews and home visits, and keep up on important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in a multi-day leadership training retreat. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff and U.S.-based staff.

We receive medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we are able to meet every students’ needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues that you did not list during your initial registration process. Program Leaders will also hold an online information session before your departure, as well as an arrival orientation in-country, in order to give participants important instructions on food safety, hygiene and preventing injury and illness. Leaders and in-country staff always respond immediately to any mental, physical or emotional health issues and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel is never without risk. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with  two additional provisions: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) and Bed Rest. Detailed explanations of both provisions can be found on the link below.

To provide families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry.  Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage with CFAR included, you must purchase the plan within 21 days of your deposit/first payment. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight.