WorldScubaTrip: Lake Atitlan

I don't know where to start with Lake Atitlan. It's such a magical place it's hard to describe to anyone who hasn't been there. It has this calm relaxed feel to it that takes away all your stress and troubles. You can mediate on things on top of mountains with amazing views. Or re-energize yourself with a hangover by swimming in the waters of the lake. It's no wonder there's such a huge hippie community living around it with meditation and yoga retreats. There's also wild parties in San Pedro and festivals. Jose, my amazing couch surfing host, whom Mariela from Guate city introduced me to, told me everyone knows where they are in the year by how far away they are from the Cosmic festival in December. It's like the highlight of Atitlan's calendar where everyone gets together and does free work shops for a specific skill combined with some big raves.

There's just something about the lake that makes you want to do good things and help people. Like when i was considering moving there to keep myself busy i thought i might offer free cleaning, free computer lessons, free hugs whatever really just because i felt it might make other people happy. I decided not to stay though as although it was amazing it was something i felt i had to come back to perhaps but first i needed to return to my country and do something more directed towards my career, study or work. But currently getting involved in volunteering projects that were not associated with what i wanted to do wasn't something i wanted to do right now.

However, the project that Jose hit me involved with at La Barona was an amazing thing to have done. It showed me that if you ever need a break from your normal life there is always work you can get involved in to help less fortunate people than you.