Miles driven: 220. Famous empanadas eaten: 10. Laughs and smiles: too many to count.
Earlier this year, three members of Friendship Bridge’s Global Satellite Friendship Circle—Maya, Sonia, and Kaylin—traveled to Guatemala together. Maya, originally from Guatemala, served as the Handmade by Friendship Bridge® Manager for more than four years, and now leads the Global Satellite Circle. Sonia, a retired educator, was born in Guatemala City but moved to Los Angeles as a child; after living in Guatemala for nearly a year in the mid-1960s, her family returned to the U.S, and she has maintained ties through frequent family visits. Kaylin (the writer of this blog) first joined Friendship Bridge as an intern in Guatemala and later returned as a contractor.
Though not an official Insight Trip, the journey shared similar goals: to experience Guatemala’s rich culture and beauty, connect with like-minded individuals, and visit Friendship Bridge clients to learn firsthand about the impact of the Microcredit Plus programs on women, their families, and their communities. All three were grateful for the opportunity to stay connected to Friendship Bridge and to take part in this shared learning experience. Learn more about their six-day adventure below.
Day 1 (Friday): Guatemala City to Xela
Maya picked up Sonia and I from our respective hotels near the airport bright and early, and we were on our way. It was the first time I had met Sonia in person (after several Zoom Circle meetings), and I hadn’t seen Maya in a few months. The three of us caught up and chatted with excitement about the plans for the next few days.
Following the approximately six-hour journey, we arrived at Maya’s home in the city of Quetzaltenango (also referred to as “Xela,” the more colloquial version of its original Mayan name, “Xelajú”) late afternoon, where we were welcomed warmly by Maya’s parents and dogs. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with delicious food and great conversation.
(L-R) Maya, Kaylin, and Sonia relax in a coffee shop in Xela.
Day 2 (Saturday): Xela to Chichi
Another road trip day, but first, breakfast: un desayuno típico, homemade. A typical Guatemalan breakfast consists of scrambled eggs, black beans, salsa, fried plantain, and of course, plenty of tortillas.
Following the meal, we packed our bags and hit the road, this time en route to Chichicastenango—referred to as “Chichi” by locals and tourists alike.
On the way to Chichi, we stopped at Doña Martina’s home. Doña Martina is a Friendship Bridge client and a member of the Handmade by Friendship Bridge® program. Thanks to her sewing and embroidery skills, combined with her determination to create a better future for her family, Martina has been able to grow her business significantly over the past eight years.
Doña Martina and Don Manuel—her husband, who helps with the business—were so happy to see and reunite with us after several years. They welcomed us into the workshop attached to their home and showed us the beautiful bags they were working on. Doña Martina reflected on how her business has grown since joining Friendship Bridge, through both the business knowledge she’s gained and the microloans she’s received.
Martina and her husband Manuel manage a sewing business together outside Chichicastenango.
– Maya
The outdoor market in Chichicastenango is one of the largest in Central America.
– Sonia
The Chichi market truly lives up to its reputation: a vast open-air hub bursting with vivid colors, enticing aromas, and a lively mix of sounds. Textiles and traditional clothing, paintings and pottery, furniture, toys, instruments, flowers and produce, and so much more—there are few things you can’t find there.
We browsed and shopped, admired the beautiful handmade products, and chatted with vendors to learn more about their crafts. And, last but not least, we ate more tortillas!
Visitors to Chichi’s market will discover everything from produce to textiles and much more.
By afternoon, tired from the hustle and bustle but deeply grateful for this unique, unforgettable experience, we hit the road once again.
Back in Xela, Maya’s mother, Milda, hosted an informal cooking class, guiding us step-by-step through the process of making chiles rellenos, a beloved traditional Guatemalan dish. These roasted peppers—stuffed with a savory-sweet blend of ground meat and vegetables, dipped in egg batter, and fried to perfection—were served with rich tomato sauce and truly hit the spot. Enjoying good food with great company made for the perfect end to a memorable day.
Day 4 (Monday): Xela to San Juan La Laguna
Monday was another road trip day; this time, we were headed to what many consider the most beautiful lake in the world: Lake Atitlán. Surrounded by three volcanoes and dotted with charming small towns (each with its own unique character), the lake’s clear blue waters and towering volcanoes make it a truly breathtaking place.
On the way, we stopped in Pamezabal, Santa Lucia Utatlán, to visit Ruth, another Handmade by Friendship Bridge® artisan client. Ruth proudly showed us her recently opened brick-and-mortar shop, Girasol la Bendición (meaning “Sunflower, the Blessing”), conveniently located right by the main road. Her son was busy helping with bookkeeping. It was a brief but pleasant visit, and the three of us headed back to the car with smiles on our faces.
– Sonia
After another hour or so of winding, zig-zagging roads, the stunning lake finally came into view. Before long, we arrived at San Juan La Laguna, where we spent the afternoon chatting and sharing stories with a dear friend of Maya’s, Graciela. Graciela and her family prepared a delicious welcome dinner for us, consisting of rice, chicken, salsa, vegetables, and tortillas, and extended family members joined. For Maya, it was a particularly meaningful reunion, as she had lived with Graciela and her family for nearly a year some time ago.
San Juan La Laguna at night.
Day 5 (Tuesday): San Juan La Laguna
The main activity of the day was a backstrap weaving class led by Graciela and her mother. For centuries, Maya communities—especially those in the Guatemalan highlands—have preserved the tradition of backstrap weaving, passing it down through generations of women. After choosing our colors, we got to work. Graciela’s sister also stopped by to help, so each of us had a dedicated and patient teacher guiding us through the process. We left the class with genuine admiration and a deeper appreciation for the precision and care involved in this remarkable craft, along with a beautiful scarf we had woven ourselves.
A lesson in weaving and empanadas at a private home in San Juan La Laguna.
Late in the afternoon, we hiked up to the San Juan La Laguna Mirador Kaqasiiwaan for a panoramic view of the lake at sunset. Once again, we were struck by how majestic Lake Atitlán looks, no matter the time of day. Back at Graciela’s, we were treated to the most mouthwatering empanadas we’d ever tasted. (Well, Maya had tasted them before—one of her favorite dishes from her time living with her former host family—and they were overjoyed to share the meal with her again.)
A photo taken from the trail at San Juan La Laguna Mirador Kaqasiiwaan.
Day 6 (Wednesday): San Juan La Laguna to Panajachel
After another tasty desayuno típico, we packed up the car and said our goodbyes. It was bittersweet. We felt grateful to have experienced San Juan’s vibrant streets and rich culture up close, all made even more special by the warmth and hospitality of Graciela’s family.
On the way to Panajachel, known as Pana, we stopped at Doña Lidia’s home in El Tablón, Sololá. Doña Lidia runs a business specializing in beaded jewelry, ornaments, and pens. When we arrived, her creations were spread out on tables in the entryway of her home. We took our time browsing and picked out a few pieces to bring home. One of Lidia’s daughters was there to greet us, beaming proudly as Lidia shared how her daughter is learning the craft and helping with the business.
Lidia’s home in El Tablón, Sololá, where she makes a variety of hand-beaded items.
Although we arrived in Pana a bit later in the afternoon, we were fortunately still able to visit the Friendship Bridge office, where we reunited and chatted a bit with former colleagues.
One of the final and most quietly resonant moments on our itinerary was an intimate dinner with Connie Newton, a long-time supporter of Friendship Bridge. A passionate advocate for social justice and community development, Connie has played a big role in shaping how the organization empowers women in Guatemala. Over the years, Connie has helped Friendship Bridge weave education into its microloan program, turning loan repayment meetings into engaging spaces for clients to learn about everything from business to health to women’s rights. Her vision and care have shaped what’s now the Non-Formal Education program, reaching nearly 30,000 mostly Mayan women each year.
Sitting down with Connie brought our trip full circle—a thoughtful and fitting close grounded in connection, shared values, and a deeper understanding of the advocacy that fuels the stories and communities we’d experienced. It brought home once again the real difference this work makes.
Sunset in Panajachel.
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About the author: Kaylin Lang first worked with Friendship Bridge as an intern in Guatemala before returning as a Content Associate contractor. Today, she works with Kiva, a global microfinance nonprofit and partner of Friendship Bridge, where her team facilitates access to capital for entrepreneurs in underserved communities—a mission that resonates deeply with her values.
