Posted By admin on March 30, 2009
Title: Semana Santa
Location: San Pedro La Laguna
Description: The beginning of Easter, also known as Semana Santa, which is celebrated every year in San Pedro with a week of festivals. It\’s a great chance to see the local culture and should not be missed.
Start Date: 2009-04-08
End Date: 2009-04-12
Posted By admin on March 19, 2009
Hi, I ended up choosing a school called Flor Del Maiz in San Pedro. I studied there for 3 weeks and stayed with a host family. My teacher was excellent and the family stay really wonderful. The school has some great programs happening with children and growing organic food for sustainable community development. All the people studying at the school were great and we had many family meals together, dancing, lake visits etc. I highly recommend this school!! Thanks, Elaine
Posted By admin on March 19, 2009
I attended here for 1 week in March/07 with my family - 4 of us in total, from Canada. Home stay was at the home of Javier, an owner of the school, my instructor was Demiss. We were all beginner spanish learners - at different levels and the teachers accomodated well to our different needs. This is a small school - they are probably full with 5 or 6 students. Home accomodations were simple and exactly what we needed. Rooms had lockable doors, purified water was always available, and a hot shower was available. Vegetarian food preference was accomodated. A very friendly family with a fun little 5yr old girl who entertained my teenage daughters endlessly. San Pedro is not too big and we felt safe on the streets even at night. You get very good value for the price you pay here - but don’t be expecting luxury and high comfort - tortillas and rice will be the base of your diet! On the weekend an overnight mountain hike was offered for additional cost of 100Q each but well worth it - if you’re reasonably fit. Afternoon activities were not really outings but - things like a movie, a presentation on Mayan Cosmology, and a group dinner with all the students. San Pedro has most of what gringos want such as nice restaurants/coffee shops/bars without being overwhelming touristy.
Posted By admin on March 19, 2009
Jose and Javier do a great job here. They match a students needs with the right teacher. The excursions and activities were designed to match our interests and included an overnight hike to the top of a local mountain, a trip to an as yet unexcavated archeological site.The home stays are an amazing way to become connected with the community.The schools level of commitment to improving life for their village is obvious in every way.
Posted By admin on March 19, 2009
This is a WONDERFUL school with incredibly kind, helpful, funy, and knowledgeable teachers. Sit at lovely tables among coffee beans, looking out over lake Atitlan and talk in Spanish! San Pedro is a beautiful little town, and being on the far side of it gives you a great feeling of quiet and solitude. Flor del Mais is a HIGHLY recommended school. I formed a personal friendship with Jose that went beyond simply learning Spanish.
