New Year's Day, 2011

What were we thinking, booking a trip that leaves the hotel at 6 am?? The nightman, Eric, at our little hotel, heard us come out of our room, and met us at the door, sleepy-eyed. He probably didn't sleep much more than we did, with the unbelievable noise from the disco next door. The music (thumping sounds) stopped at 6 am. Our guide was to pick us up, and of course was late. Eric called, woke him up, and soon he arrived. The van smelled like a brewery, but Adolfo was cheerful and laughed and joked during the 20 minute ride to the base of the volcano.
The sun is not up yet, there is a very heavy fog, we can see nothing of the passing scenery. A few partiers are still on the streets, staggering home. It will be a quiet day, everyone will be sleeping. We begin hiking, it's very cold. There is frost on the ground, but the passing scene is beautiful. We hike up a very rough trail, dirt and rocks, past little fields of onions and other cool-weather crops. A couple of men pass us, walking faster and carrying heavy loads on their backs, on their way to work in their fields on the mountainside. We stopped several times for Stuart and me to catch our breath. The altitude is more than a mile to begin with, and we're heading even higher. Aldolfo, who doesn't speak English (why should he?!?) understands, and is patient, even laughing.


Two hours later, we arrive at the half-way point up Santa Maria, and begin working our way to the south side of the volcano. I can see the path to the top, and it's looks almost impossible. The same company guides people to the top of Santa Maria, a 2-day, overnight hike. That's for much younger people, I think! We arrive at the viewpoint for Santiaguito about 20 minutes before it performs. The view is spectacular! Adolfo tells us about how it was formed: it's the baby of Santa Maria. The eruption, or vent, we will see is actually coming from deep under Sta. Maria, where a new 'tunnel' ( I can't translate his description any other way) formed in 1902 when Sta. Maria last erupted. A terrible eruption, killing thousands of people, and destroying miles and miles of croplands and houses. Adolfo says some days, very clear days, you can see the Pacific Ocean from here, but today is a little hazy for a view. Still, the vista is breathtaking.





Soon, Santiaguito begins to smoke, and we're delighted with the views! I took lots of snapshots, none any better than the last, but I couldn't help myself.


I'll post more photos in the next post....