¡Palenque, Palenque, PalenQUE!?
My day started yesterday with the ripping and banging of what sounded like a drug cartel searching through my neighbour's room. After 30 minutes I realised the
frantic sounds were not an uber meticulous gang, but the rapping of a tin roof being lifted and slapped down by ferocious winds. Our hopes of getting an early night before our 5am pick up slowly dwindled as the beating roof became more and more frequent, and more and more violent.
We groggily rejoiced when 4 am arrived so that we could be emancipated from the relentless thumping of rain and wind on the tin roof. Waiting in the dark of the hostel foyer we heard the bus driver's urgent calls for 'Palenque' before we heard the bus. As the bus filled up, a French couple asked us: 'is this going to be dang-a-roos?'; 'dangerous?' we replied; 'oui, yes, have you driven into a 'urrican before?'...'A what?.....'A hurricane.
The driver's beads of sweat dribbled frenetically like the rain across the windscreen. We comforted each other that the driver would not take on such a journey if he knew his life was in danger, and so began our trip from Flores, Guatemala to Palenque, Mexico.
Our off-road, gung-ho, Hurricane Earl-escaping bus.
I know it's been so long since my previous blog post, and it's partly because I'm having the time of my life, but also that editing a 10 minute documentary in a week is a 22 hour job...Seriously. Over the last week of the Actuality Media program sleep was not a necessity, but a luxury and we all tirelessly worked to get our films finished before the big screening night. It was all completely worth it in the end, and the stories that the three teams made over the past month brought tears to many eyes, and cheers from the crowd!
The Eco-Filtro team.
Again, I cannot thank everyone who was involved enough ! Those who encouraged me to apply, teachers, friends and family who helped me collect enough funds to participate in the Actuality program, and of course, my international documentary team, and all the amigos in the course ! Each and every one of you made the experience unforgettable.
To unwind after such a demanding 4 weeks, we headed to Lake Atitlan and soaked up the mystical volcanic energies kyaking, danced to cumbia, explored textile markets and drank lots of quezalteca and beer. If you're interested in finding out more about our adventures, like WalkieTalkieTV on Facebook for our travel updates!
LAGO ATITLÁN!
We couldn't be idle for very long though, and we shot a another micro documentary on talented artist Joel Batz. Joel is a much-loved Antiguan artist who does a whole lot more than painting his beautiful artworks. On top of being an incredible salsa dancer, Joel hosts art classes for children, providing them with a creative space which they in their everyday life do not have access to. Joel also offers classes for adults, with vino and nibbles to loosen up even the most nervous student ! In the documentary, Joel tells us about his Chicken bus series of artwork...A uniquely vibrant and crazy Guatemalan public form of transport...so watch this space.
Joel at the Chicken bus terminal
And now my adventure continues, 2 weeks after having escaped a Hurricane, lapping up the gorgeousness of Mexico...and very soon...Cuba!
Hasta Luego amigos x