Volcano



Night view from the cerro de la Cruz


		September 30th. The day started off easily enough with a short ride to a well known overlook of Antigua. The village of San Juan del Obispo, ( seen somewhat crudely circled above left) lies 5 miles away and slightly up the slope of the Volcano Agua. The volcano we climbed is a 2 hour drive to a point on the far side of our "home" volcano.
We had a police escort the whole day. They provide this as a service so that nothing will happen to the fortunes of this region, much of it hinged on people the world over coming to learn Spanish. A special plain clothes unit climbed the volcano with us.
		Group portrait...full of energy and attitude. (And altitude for that matter. The bus ride up was worth the trip all on its own. Those rides at the Fair will never hold quite the same thrill)
We started for Pacaya from what seemed a looong way off. Turns out, it was. (See arrow below left)
		Told that this was the half way mark above, it was actually 1/2 way to a nice view of the really difficult part of the climb.

		Above...A nice view of volcano Agua... our home being on its far side. Left...A good view of our destination, huffing and puffing away in the distance. Apparently this volcano gives warning at least 2 days in advance of an eruption, the last one being in May which covered parts of Guatemala city with 1" of ash. (aprox 30 kilometers away)
Miriam and Andrea take a moment or two to be giddy, what with the altitude and all. The air was quite thin. To the right and looking like ants, we inched our way up with hands and feet...the loose volcanic ash and stone causing us to slide back one step for every 2 or three taken forward.
		Click the above image for some great info and pictures on the last eruptions .

		The debilitating sulfurous heat whipped by the wind made the climactic moments at the top a mixed blessing. However the awesome view and the experience of a raw, powerful and dangerous earth made it an incredible and unforgettable life moment.

		The Director,Wally Schmidt (shown above) felt that he had performed fairly well for a 57 year old... the disappointing factor here being that he is nowhere near that age. Harry Olfert, President of Concord College (and here for 5 days to help evaluate this first year for the school of Discipleship,) impressed everyone with his steady pace and determination that carried him to the top. Not every student made it.

		We came down to a safe place below the reach of the volcano's rough hospitality, and had our supper as we watched airplanes down below us flying towards the beautiful sunset. Then a full moon came up, the second within the same month, making this a blue moon....which is once in probably about how often one should do something like this.
Many of us would not have persevered and put in the tough slugging to complete the journey except for the example and encouragement of companions. Rather like the church in that regard.