Check it out! Volcan de Pacaya is the biggest I've seen so far - and also the most intimidating - as it is currently categorized as one of the three 'active' volcanoes in Guatemala.
Note: There are 33 volcanoes here and more are developing every day. Guatemala is at a point where three tectonic plates collide. Our world is ALIVE!
Before we ventured to Volcan de Pacaya we made a trip to visit the tourist attraction of Lake Amatitlán. Unfortunatly the beauty that this place has to offer is overshadowed by its overwhelming enviornmental problems: Flavio Linerez (the director for the environmental sector of the Peace Corps) explains this to our group.
The lake recieves water from surrounding rivers and streams that contain all kinds of pollutants: agricultural, industrial, and commerical wastes.As my co-worker Andrew explains: "... as result, the water has extremely high levels of nitrogenous compounds, phosphates, and mercury. The entire lake is in a dramatic state of eutrophication. The flow of raw sewage and agricultural agents has stimulated a choking growth of algae, blocking the sun. As the plants in the lake died, the process of decay consumed oxygen, devastating animal populations. There are still fish in the lake, enough to attract a few little green herons and great and snowy egrets, but the ecosystem is far out of balance.
Here you can see a school of minnows struggling to receive light through the curtain of algae that coats the lakes surface:
Snowy egrets perch atop small boats and rafts meant to serve the needs of tourists.
We continued to Volcan de Pecaya to view the condition of eco-tourism at a fellow Volunteer's work site.
This is a beautiful view from the side of the Volcano. One of the many rest stops on your journey to the top.
This park is split between three different Municipalities. This makes it very hard to gain permission for projects that would benifit the park.
Fortunatly this is a place where you can find a fair amount of well trained guides that will provide information from a cultural and geological perspective.
On the hike back to the base of the Volcano:
Tourists are approached by a barrage of unhealthy looking young boys (who should be in school) peddling walking sticks to make extra money for their families.
At the volcanoes small dining facility we were solicited by a good number scraggly looking dogs who have figured out that tourists are easy pickings for their next meal. It becomes apparent that with the help of the local communities changes could be made to help this park generate much more income. If the municipalities governing the park agreed, these communities could benefit from the income and keep many Guatemalans from poverty.
After seeing the changes that could be made in a couple of Guatemala's parks, I was glad to get back to my host-family - and specifically my perro (dog) named 'Dokkie' who I hope never changes.
