Travel

The Guatemalan Travel Experience

Feed your Spirit, Soul and Sense of Adventure

This will be a trip for the person who:

wants to deepen your person awareness
loves adventure and exploring
is spontaneous and accepting of new possibilities
wants to be of service

Departure date ~ Sat January 28th returning on Wed February 8th 2012

Cost ~ $1,395.00 plus cost of your flight, and lunch & dinner daily

Included in the cost of your visit, and an outline of possibilities:

Transportation from the airport to the beautiful town of Antigua (approx. 45 min. Drive)
Welcome gathering with wine and fruit as we settle into our large shared B&B rooms (2 people)
Mayan Shamanic teachings and ceremonies, including a Crystal Healing Workshop
An overnight stay in the jungle, feeling the ancient energy of the Tikal Mayan ruins
Visit to a village home where we will enjoy a typical lunch with a dance and Mayan cultural presentation
A day of play and connecting at the wonderful Santa Maria de Guadalupe Orphanage
A relaxing day at the beach on the Pacific ocean with a visit to the Sea Turtle Sanctuary
Free time walking the cobblestone streets exploring colonial Antigua’s parks, historic sites, lookout point…
Explore a typical Mayan market exposing you to a sea of colour, textile, jade, artwork, bags and more
A guided visit to the Dump Community with a tour of Camino Seguro - Safe Passage project within that community

Please note that these are possibilities, as the events are subject to availability. The focus of this experience will remain as exposure to Mayan Healers, Guatemalan culture and giving back at the orphanage.

There are 7 spots available on this adventure. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

My Travels Are a Part of Who I Am…

As I prepared to graduate from the Community and Social Service Program from College in 1979, I felt a pull to investigate overseas volunteer opportunities. I applied to Pueblito Canada and in my first year out of college I was traveling to Costa Rica to work with children for six months. My next trip was with Canadian Crossroads International where I worked in an orphanage in Barbados. It didn’t take long to know that volunteering on a global level was something that was truly fulfilling and important for me!

Since then I have volunteered in Belarus, Guyana, Guatemala and Honduras. My work has been with women and children in projects ranging from therapeutic play programs, to offering hands-on healing treatments and teaching Reiki workshops.

Arranging and accompanying my daughters on their first volunteer trip to an orphanage in Guatemala was an unforgettable highlight! It encouraged me to organize and lead a group of six teenage girls to complete a youth focused project in Guyana. Along with this project I was able to complete Reiki and Craniosacral treatments, and was a guest on a TV show speaking about “The Healing Power of Touch”.

In 2007 I began my travels with Sleeping Children Around the World going to Honduras, then in 2009 I was part of their team in Nicaragua. My most recent trip was in 2011 going to Uganda as a member of their distribution team. If you are looking for an ethical, grass roots organization where 100% of your donation goes directly to the child, log onto their website at http://www.scaw.org/

November 2008, I spent a week in the same orphanage where I stayed in 2000. It was amazing returning to visit Hogares Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Guatemala. I brought photographs with me from my previous visit. The children were so excited to see a younger version of themselves in these pictures. This orphanage is so warm and welcoming to visit. The children live as one big family. When I asked one young woman how many brothers and sisters she had, she told me “Too many to count!” I had the opportunity to offer a play program and hands-on healing treatments while I was there. What an honour! Before my departure from Canada, I mentioned my plans to visit the orphanage to my friends. By the time I left I had collected donations totaling $325.00 Once in Guatemala I went shopping and bought school supplies and some games for the children. They were so excited to receive this donation from so many caring people! I am so connected to Guatemala and have returned to that same orphanage many times.

In January 2009 I brought along a group of women whom I have infected with my love and enthusiasm for this wonderful place, of course spending a day visiting with the children of the orphanage.

October 2010 I brought a new group of people to discover the beauty and culture of Guatemala. This time we focused on receiving wisdom teachings and being a part of fire ceremonies from two Mayan Shaman. As well we had the opportunity to visit the Safe Passage project in the dump community of Guatemala City http://www.safepassage.org/ and of course I had to share my wonderful family at the orphanage.

It has been an exciting journey for me where I know I gain much more than I will ever give! I look forward to continue sharing my volunteer experiences with you! An excellent organization to look into for volunteer travel in Kenya is with Global Seekers - Volunteer Experience and Responsible Travel Program. Take a look at http://www.globalseekers.com/ You could be one click away from an Experience of a Lifetime!