It was a goal this year to travel somewhere alone.

In my 43 years on this earth, I’ve never done so and thought it was time. A yoga retreat taught by one of my favorite humans popped up and I jumped at the chance! Ok, it took a few to get comfortable with the idea of forking over money to travel muself, but I signed up! It came at an amazing time, although when I did sign up I didn’t realize everything that would be going on at this moment in time. The year had been an odd one work wise, so that was weighing on me, a house we have on the market isn’t selling, my hip was about to be replaced….many questions were on my mind….so a really kismet time to go and just be, reflect and think.

On November 3, just two days after my birthday, I was on a plane, on my way.

I landed in Guatemala City, went through customs & found my guide. Two other women were not far behind me, so we waited and went to the cafe in the airport. Not sure if we were heading out into the city to grab lunch, I grabbed a jamon y quesso sandwich just as the woman who was going to take us into the city, found us. I wrapped my sandwich and we headed into the busy city where motorbikes zipped in and out of traffic. We ate at a small French style restraint then headed back to the airport to meet the rest of the group – another 7 women! We piled into the shuttle and headed to Lake Atitlan. The journey would take about five hours, as the main road had closures. It was fascinating to drive through small towns and see the local flavor. Pulling over after about four hours to a lovely wood heavy restaurant to use the restroom & grab a cafe, we made the final leg of the journey to Panajachel to catch the water taxi over to Villa Sumaya. The ride took about 25 minutes and the lake was calm and the wind felt amazing on my face! Although it had been quite foggy driving in, the fog cleared so the beauty of the lake could be seen. We pulled up just as the dark was creeping in and the magic of the jungle lit by the lights from the villa was spectacular!

Our bags were taken to our rooms & we were ushered gently into the dining room where a gorgeous buffet of plant based goodness lay before us. I was in heaven! The journey had been long, but I was here and thankful I had made it safe. I ate and headed to my gorgeous room where I lay in gratitude for what I was sure to be an amazing week!

I awoke early, refreshed after the previous long day of traveling. Each day’s schedule was shared out on a group chat – and the morning had breakfast, orientation and a yoga class. Since I was up so early, I wandered towards the next town – Santa Cruz – on a path that hugged the lake. Parts were stone, parts grass, parts were makeshift bridges made from wood and a small section was large rock boulders that climbed up. The entire path had breathtaking views of the lake and the two volcanos – Volcan San Pedro & Toliman. I made it to the town, then turned back to have breakfast. Fresh fruit, granola, eggs, tortillas, beans, plantains….the spread couldn’t have been more scrumptious!

Our orientation was at 10am and Suzanne and those that worked as healers spent time telling us about what they could provide – massages, energy work, reiki, astrology readings – the headiness was in full force! Suzanne then led a beautiful 75 minute class in our Tiger Shala, with Lake Atitlan in the background. The week was sure to be amazing!

After an amazing lunch buffet, a group of us walked the path to Santa Cruz, then slightly past it to Free Cerveza hostel, where we admired the view & grabbed a beer (they weren’t free!). The hostel had small boutique sheds that people could rent, then a communal bathroom/shower area. It was very similar to water island vibes. We headed back and hung the rest of the afternoon, had a wonderful dinner and called it an early night for tomorrow’s adventure would be to explore Santiago.

Happy Monday! I awoke after another wonderful nights sleep, with views of the gorgeous lake outside my door. Quick breakfast, then we met our guide who would give a tour of Santiago, a town directly on the other side of the lake. A 25 minute boat ride gave us amazing views of the volcanoes that were dominant and apparently had lush jungles inside of them! Santiago was full of indigenous Mayan people, a colorful market (that sold everything from fish to chocolate to fruits & veggies) and local spiritual legends.

We visited a church – the oldest in Guatemala, built in 1554 – the home where Machimo’s statue lived (the Saint of misfits) and then did some shopping. It was a lovely afternoon and I’m glad to have seen some local flavor and authentic Mayan culture. The afternoon involved a 90 minute yoga flow, a glorious practice after a day in the city, then dinner, followed by a restorative class with sound healing bowls! Floating into my bed with good energy from the day!

Tuesday morning included sunrise yoga in the sky-zen do, an amazing open-aired space that had incredible views of the whole lake. It as truly breathtaking! The class involved breath work and easy movements, building to sun salutations and a fiery core. Why do I not start my day like this at home! It was a reminder that practice can create calm and peace within! I welcomed breakfast it’s quite the appetite, then changed into my walking clothes & walked briskly into Santa Cruz. The sun was shining and the path was so lovely! Halfway there, a stray pup started following me…she was super sweet and I started wondering how hard it would be to get a Guatemala dog home to the states! I gave her some water & a small cookie when I returned to the resort, then changed into my bathing suit to hang by the pool until my Shaman reading!

The Shaman was a Mayan, who’s lineage involved multiple shamans before him. He had an interpreter and from only my birthday, gave me a Mayan reading. It was fascinating!

After lunch, we headed to a fire ceremony led by Tomas – the Shaman who did my reading. The ceremony honored the four elements – the earth, wind, fire, water. It thanked them, honored them and acknowledged the power and beauty of the laments reside in us. He then allowed us to speak out father and mothers surnames, honoring the lineage I came from. He invited us to play like children, to remember to smile, to laugh and reminded us we are all connected. It was a powerful ceremony and I am going to try to bring that energy and the reminders home with me! I took in the sunset on the dock, and drank in the views and beauty of this place. It was really nice, more so than I could have imagined to be alone here. Of course there were the women who came on this retreat, but I sought out solitude in these moments in between activity. I realize how much I like quiet, how much I enjoy being with myself.
That evening after another fabulous meal (we had curry, Kafka dumplings, eggplant & jasmine rice with homemade pita) Suzanne led us in a restorative practice to close the day.

Wednesday was a sunrise hike, which I unfortunately couldn’t go on because of my dumb hip, so I woke and went on another island path walk to Santa Cruz. Although my hip is getting replaced, I was trying to take it easy, so the daily walks were a nice way to get a sweat, without extreme exertion. I got back with the whole afternoon in front of me, I changed into my bathing suit, grabbed my book and journal (which I had been feverishly writing in since being here) and spent the next hour plus in the sun with my book and my thoughts. At 11:45, the naturopath gave a Q&A session in the Apothocary, reminding me that food and what we put in our body is so important -It’s truly medicine! I jotted down many notes about inflammatory fighting herbs, hormonal imbalances to be aware of, and things to dive deeper into. It was really interesting! After the talk, we were served more food – good lord, the food! There was a sweat ceremony at 2pm that I did sign up for, but unfortunately didn’t feel great once in. The sweat lodge was a round brick structure, without windows, that had a dug out pit that hot rocks were dropped into. The claustrophobic fear bubbled up to the surface and as soon as the door closed, I knew it wasn’t for me, so instead of torturing myself, I excused myself before the ceremony got too in depth. Although I’m sure it was incredibl, as soon as I emerged on the other side, I knew I had made the right decision. I hung by the pool until our afternoon yoga inversion & balance class. It was the perfect way to shift the energy into another way to get out of my comfort zone. The sunset was another stunner and I headed to dinner with a full heart.

Thursday was a leisure day that started with sunrise yoga…..the best and my most favorite way to greet the day. Then a gorgeous breakfast and a day of leisure. I journaled, read, jumped in the lake, really took time to do nothing. And not feel guilty about it. I went into this knowing there were areas of my life that needed a bit more questioning, contemplation, reflection and honesty. I allowed myself that during the hours in the sun. A few topics I journaled about….

What I want more of….
What do I need to communicate….
What do I need & want to live….
What do I need from a partner, what does Mike need from me…
What do I want to cut out or say no to….
What can I focus on that will bring abundance…..

It was cathartic to dump all of the thoughts onto paper and alow myself to ponder the questions and anwsers. At 4:30pm, a 90-minute class helped seal in the day, followed by a delicious dinner.

Friday came and so did the last full day on the lake. Susan had organized an SUP to greet the sun, a morning on the lake to watch the sunrise. A glorious way to spend the wee hours and we actually had a cup of coffee on our boards. The rest of the day was spent in the sun, by the pool, by the lake, journaling, soaking up all of the beauty and peace this place and this time had given me. A final cacao ceremony sealed in the trip. We were given three cups of the bitter nectar, asked to open our hearts and give words to what this experience had meant, what we will be taking back with us, and how we can return back to this feeling whenever it is needed, for it is within us. A powerful and beautiful way to end this magical experience.

I left the next day, as I had arrived….ready, thankful and open to all that comes my way. My alarm went off at 4:00am and I met my watertaxi, walked through the streets of Panajachel to my shuttle stop. I will forever remember this experience and am grateful I was able to take it!