Lava Roasted Marshmallows anyone?

Have you ever felt like you would be blown off the side of a volcano. We have! Last Friday 10 of us loaded up in a van with two guides with the ultimate goal of making s'mores over hot lava.

On our way to the volcano.

The guides mentioned that we might want to spend 5 quetzales (about 65 cents) and buy a walking sticks from the local kids. It sounded like a good enough idea, so we all did. Little did we know that it would later save out lives! We started out on a steep, but paved path with horses following us just in case we couldn't make it. The path soon changed to dirt and roots as we entered the forest. The horses continued behind us, with their owners trying hard to convince us to pay to get to the lava. We hiked for a while through the forest enjoying incredible views off the side of the volcano.Kevin, one of our guides, demonstrated the best (and safest) way to cross that ashen lava dunes. (I was sure he was joking.) We literally ran straight down and back up the "sand dune" like desert. This is where we experienced 70 mph wind. At one point we stopped to count heads and we literally had to jab our sticks into the ground and hold on for dear life, to not blow away and bounce down the side of the volcano. (Mom and Dad, keep in mind that we did live!)

This where the real challenge began. The final ascent was steep, completely unstable, sharp lava rock. Add this to the fact that the wind was still blowing 70-80mph and it was getting dark quickly. We hiked, and hiked, and hiked towards a beautiful orange glow and we knew the end was near.

The glow of the lava.

We made it! Tired, excited, a little cut up from the lava rocks, hungry and ready to roast our marshmallows! We (Mindy and Christine) had been to the supermarket earlier in the week to buy marshmallows for our s'mores and the best we could find were shaped like bunny rabbits. Our guides, Chris and Keven, carried dinner which they cooked at the summit of the volcano. Yes, hot curry was really good on a volcano and we really appreciated the heat from the lava, especially since Christine didn't have a jacket and the wind was still blowing. Have you discovered a trend yet?

Christine, John and Mindy hiking in daylight

After our tummy's were full and our bodies were warmed up, the descent began back down the steep, completely unstable, sharp lava rock only this time it was completely pitch black and we relied on the light from our flashlights and headlamps. Mindy didn't have one...so it's now on her Christmas list. Just a quick FYI.

Mindy and Christine on our first hiking adventure

We made our way back through the lava dunes, the forest and the steep cement path. The van was a welcome sight. The four of us in the back (John, Ryan, Christine and Mindy) took turn giving each other backrubs. We reached Antigua at the end of our nine hour adventure, dirty, tired and ready for bed. Christine discovered when she got in the shower that the water had been turned off for the night. She was not very happy. Mindy was so tired that she pulled out her sleeping bag for extra warmth, and fell asleep before ever making it to the shower. In fact, she doesn't even remember laying down.

Breakfast came bright and early Saturday morning at 7:00am...just like every other day. We both went back to bed as soon as we were done eating. Saturday was tranquilo and exactly what we needed before another week of language school. We ended Saturday with Domino's Pizza, Oreos, Coke and Sprite as a little taste of home.

*Most pictures courtesy of John and Ryan. Thanks guys!