| Flower House Therapy Center: FAQ's Our Host: FlowerHouse Therapy Center: Nadia Petrova pixyjoke@yahoo.com International call: +502 4053-4614 San Pablo la Laguna Patzajk'el Lake Atitlan Guatemala Yes, there are still places in the November 2014 workshop. Register with a $100. deposit: Paypal to: bruce@weare1.us Questions: Nadia Petrova pixyjoke@yahoo.com Bruce Burger: bruce@weare1.us Retreat includes: * 4 Energy Balancing Professional Protocols * Somatic Emotional Clearing * Morning Energy Exercise classes * Health Building Diet * The World As Music: Mantra Yoga Classes: * 90 NCBTMB ceh's available to licensed massage/bodyworkers: Tuition $1800 includes 2 consciously prepared whole-food vegetarian meals per day, course manual and CD of chants. Early Bird Discount $300. register before Sept 1st. Register with a friend and each take a $100. tuition discount! (Accommodations, evening meals and meals on "practice/tourism days" are not included. Refer to our list of hotels below for accommodations.) Cancellation and Refund Policy: all payments are 90% refundable until Sept 1st, 75% refundable until Oct 15th, non-refundable after Oct 15th. Guatemala Travel Document Requirements: Citizens of the U.S. and Canada may enter Guatemala with a valid passport. Please note that Guatemalan law requires your passport be valid for at least 30 days after the date you enter the country. This means that if your passport will expire within the next 30 days, you must renew it before your trip. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information. Citizens of other countries should check with the applicable Guatemalan Consulate in your country about rules governing entrance into Guatemala. You are required to carry your passport with you at all times. If you are stopped by officials, a photocopy with your photo, passport number and entry stamp will usually suffice and is recommended. 
Travel Arrangements : When booking flights to San Marcos La Laguna, you will fly into La Aurora Airport, Guatemala City (GUA). Orbitz and Hipmunk are two of the best search engines for booking flights. We would advise you to arrive in La Aurora Airport, Guatemala City, before 5pm, preferably try to arrive around midday. The airport is fairly small and quite well organized. The flow is quite logical, you pass immigration, pick up your bags, then pass through customs. After going through immigration and customs, you will exit from the arrivals doors. Outside you will find many taxi and shuttle drivers waiting, if you have reservation in a hotel in Antigua, usually they send a taxi to pick you up from the airport, make sure you require it. We would advise that you stay in Antigua for 1 night, before traveling to San Marcos La Laguna. You can usually take a shuttle from the airport to Antigua for about US$10 to $15, or a taxi for US$20-25. Some of the drivers may speak some English, but if you tell them “Antigua” and the name of your hotel, they should take you directly to the door of your hotel. ATM's: In Antigua you can withdraw cash, if you need to, from one of the many ATMs there. A few places such as hotels accept US dollars, but most people deal in the Guatemalan currency, the Quetzal (Q), so make sure you have some, especially before you leave Antigua. There are no ATMs or banks in San Marcos La Laguna, the nearest ATMs are in San Pedro, which is a 15 minute boat ride away. The boat ride costs Q10 (US1.50) each way. Travel Arrangements : From Antigua, you can get a shuttle directly to San Marcos La Laguna. Your hotel will usually be able to arrange this for you, and will probably charge you around Q80-120 (US$10-15). The shuttles normally leave at 9.00am and 2.00pm, and will pick you up from your hotel. Alternatively you can go to one of the many travel agencies around Antigua and book a shuttle yourself. Ensure that you are going to San Marcos LA LAGUNA, as there are other San Marcos’s in Guatemala. We would recommend the travel agencies “Mayatour”, “Atitrans” and “Arcoiris”. Another option, for the more adventurous, is to travel from Antigua to Panajachel. Again this can be done by shuttles from your hotel, but will involve a boat ride across the lake, which can be a beautiful introduction to Lake Atitlan. The public launches are small fiberglass motor boats. Getting on and off the boat is easy for the fit and healthy, but can be challenging for people with limited range of movement. Luggage normally goes in the front of the boat. The boat driver should charge you Q20 (US$3). You may be offered a private boat to San Marcos. This can cost around US$25, and will be quicker and less crowded, but is usually unnecessary. The San Marcos dock is a regular stop on the boat route, usually the fourth stop. The dock does not have a sign to say San Marcos, but the boat driver will normally shout the name of the dock as the boat arrives. If in doubt, ask the driver. It is always good to tell the captain what you final destination is when you get on the boat. Especially if you are new and may not recognize your stop. Public boats from Panajachel leave every 20 minutes from 6.30am to 5.00pm. And hourly from 5 to 7pm. The last launcha leaves Panajachel towards San Marcos and San Pedro at 7:00 pm. The last public boat departs San Pedro towards San Marcos and Panajachel at 5:00 pm . You can always hire a private boat to take you after hours.  On the Boat From Panachel to San Marcos Lodging:
San Marcos is a small village and in a way it does not really matter if
you are in the middle of town or on its outskirts.
Lush Apartment Hotel is ideally located on a hillside on the shores of spectacular Lake Atitlán in San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala. We have 6 unique apartments, each one individually designed, with one-of-a-kind art works and locally made furniture. Most of the apartments have incredible views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes, as well as a private terrace or balcony, offering guests a harmonious balance with the surrounding nature. A very beautiful eco-hotel. Monthly rates begin at $500. They take reservations by email. This hotel is a 20 min walk from the location of the workshop. La Paz Eco-Lodge – Dormitory prices are $7, 4 people room is $26 all together with 4 single beds, double bed room is $ 20. Let us know, we will help you for reservation. Eco-Hotel La Paz was the first Hotel in San Marcos, established in 1993 , creating an alternative for those who deeply feel the need to be connected with nature, peace, and culture since we are surrounded by a great Mayan village, San Marcos La Laguna. Our hotel provides you with a holistic atmosphere and humanistic staff that cares instead of just serving. La Paz offers a pure vegetarian restaurant, and yoga studio. La Posada Schumann is a nice hotel beside the lake. Rates are on their website - $14 to $60. Reserve with them and let me know so I confirm it here verbally. Is on safe location, passing on the most frequented path. It has a rustic appeal with modern conveniences. It is built of unfinished rock and earth tone walls, maintaining a rustic architecture, similar to Antigua’s colonial homes but with a more natural touch. Each room and bungalow has its singular décor using handmade Guatemalan textiles and restored traditional furniture. The rooms are connected by stone walkways that combine with complementary landscaping, lending a special close-to-nature feel. Each room was built to take advantage of its best possible views of the volcanoes and the lake, the sunrise, the silhouettes of the mountains at dusk, and the reflection of the full moon on the lake’s tranquil waters, just a part of the peace and relaxation that you will encounter. Posada del Bosque Encantado – very nice and welcoming little hotel with only 3 rooms, good for children. You can contact the owner Terry by email through the site and she will do her best for reserving your space. Her rates are $25 for double, $36 for triple or 2 adults and 2 children. Pasaj-Cap Vacation Rentals Lake Atitlan: Our Rentals 6 modern and spacious apartments...Every morning you wake to the magnificent view of two dormant volcanoes across the beautiful lake. All of the apartments face the lake and are very private, very clean, very well maintained and comfortable. Located 10 minutes outside San Marcos by tugtug. Lodging reservations should be made ASAP!
We are not recommending the rental of a house, as you will be in the
Flower House from 7:30 am until 5 pm, hotels will take good care of you,
houses are not that well organized with cleaning, food,
problem-solving, etc.
 Public boats at the Dock at San Marcos Flower House Therapy Center San Marcos la Laguna, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Nadia: pixyjoke@yahoo.com Web: www.Flower-House.info Mobile: 502-4053-4614 The country code for Guatemala is 502. From the US 011-502-4053-4614 How far are you from the Lake Atitlan? Flower House is located on the shore of Lake Atitlan 20 minutes walk from San Marcos. You can always catch a tugtug collective 3 wheel taxi from San Marcos to Flower House for 5 Q. (75 cents) Food: We will be serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, bottomless tea and coffee, fresh purified water. The menu will be exclusively vegetarian. Breakfast will include a choice between fermented oatmeal, prepared with raw cane juice and butter, amaranth, eggs, beans, tortillas, platanos. We would ask you to give us your choice the previous day. Fruit juices, lemonade, tea, coffee. Lunch will consist of vegetables with rice, quinoa, millet, etc; vegetable stews, coffee, tea. Afternoon snacks will be mainly fruits.  Flower House Garden Dojo Classroom
Are there a lot of bugs? No, we don't have a lot of bugs in San Marcos. Being in the tropics, there is a lot of insect life in general in Guatemala. However, our elevation keeps this issue at a minimum and our guests find it remarkably bug-free here. What types of massages do you offer? We have a wide variety of massage and spa treatments available. Please see the info on our website for more details . Do you accept U.S. Dollars? In Antigua you can withdraw cash, if you need to, from one of the many ATMs there. A few places such as hotels accept US dollars, but most people deal in the Guatemalan currency, the Quetzal (Q), so make sure you have some, especially before you leave Antigua. There are no ATMs or banks in San Marcos La Laguna, the nearest ATMs are in San Pedro, which is a 15 minute boat ride away. The boat ride costs Q10 (US1.50) each way. Yes we accept US dollars for the class and treatments, but prefer that you pay tuition with Paypal. For traveling in developing countries, it is recommended that you set up a special ATM bank account with a limited amount of money in it, so that if "something goes wrong " with you ATM transaction you do not lose all your savings. Do I need shots? No shots or vaccinations are needed for visits to Guatemala. Do the people at Flower House and the village of San Marcos speak English? Everyone in Flower House, speaks English.  Mayan Ritual Can I use my cell phone? Most cell phones work, however, you will need to contact your provider for assistance. Can I use my laptop? Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and apartments and at many restaurants. Where is the nearest internet café? There are 2 internet cafés in San Marcos. One is on the corner from Paco Real, the other is 5 min. up across the road. Faster connections are in San Pedro, across the lake, 15 min. boat ride. Do you offer a laundry service? There are 4 laundry services in San Marcos. At Hotel Paco Real, Hotel Quetzal, beside the internet café and at El Arbol. Usually you pick your laundry few hours after leaving it. How do I get into town? See the paragraph on travel arrangements above. We would recommend a shuttle from Antigua directly to San Marcos La Laguna How much is a cab? Tuc-Tuc rates depend, of course, on the distance you want to travel. Taxis in Guatemala charge by the trip, and per person and should be negotiated at journeys start.  Tuc-tuc & Chicken Bus
Is the water safe to drink? Yes, the water at Flower House is safe to drink. You can fill your bottles from our purifier. Bottled water is available everywhere. Tap water is only for washing! What is your elevation? Lake Atitlan is at 5,200 feet elevation. Children Our Program is full time & very intense. We do not recommend bringing children unless you can provide excellent child care. Yes, the village of San Marcos La Laguna is safe for women, but use your common sense with regards to walking in unlit places alone after dark, and please dress respectfully.  Shopping in Panajachel Is Guatemala safe? Generally, Guatemala is safe. Thousands of tourists travel throughout the country without incident. If you apply your common sense, it is likely that you will have a pleasant and memorable stay in the country with no unpleasant incidents. Theft of personal property (from automobiles and hotel rooms) is not uncommon, so it is best to put your valuables out of sight, preferably in a locked box in your room. The thing to keep in mind is that most people here earn $120 or less per month, so your camera may be worth 3 months salary to them. Most people are honest, but some may cave in to the temptation when presented with an opportunistic situation. Don't wear ostentatious, expensive jewelry and try not to leave camera equipment or money around. Compact cameras can now take wonderful photographs and are easier to conceal rather than big SLR’s that are carried around the neck. Some travelers carry a “throw down wallet” with an expired card or 2 and the day’s cash in it. There have been occasional robberies on the roads around San Marcos, San Pedro and Lake Atitlan. We recommend that you stay in a hotel in town, as our chanting starts in the early morning and the evening session may end near dark. We recommend traveling from village to village by boat or tuc-tuc or with a reliable local guide. Ask us about safety in an area - evenings, hiking, etc. It is always a good idea to make Xerox copies of your passport & e-tickets. Put scanned copies on the cloud at Google Docs. Pick pocketing is not unheard of in markets, so use your common sense with regards to your belongings, keeping expensive or valuable items out of site and close to you. If flying out of Guatemala city (GUA), stay in Antigua (1 hour away). If you arrive late at night or need to leave very early in the morning, you can safely stay at Hotel Casa Blanca, which is 5 minutes from the airport & offers a free shuttle. It is generally safer to avoid Guatemala City. It does not have a great deal to offer to the casual tourist. As such it is usually a place to fly into and out of, rather than a place to stay and explore. When traveling it is better to use tourist shuttles or official taxis, rather than buses. Although chicken buses may look like a romantic, appealing option for travel, once you are sitting with four people on a seat designed to hold two, the charm may disappear somewhat. Added to this the fact that many of the chicken buses are poorly maintained, you may wish to take photos of them rather than ride them. We have given an extensive list of hotels in Antigua and suggested people stay there. Road and driving standards in the whole of Central America are lower than the US or Europe. Road traffic accidents are not uncommon, as with any other country, so you can minimize your risks by traveling during the day. The journey between Guatemala City and Antigua is relatively safe, even after dark. One of the best things about Guatemala is the abundance of natural beauty and numerous treks. Some of these have occasionally experienced robberies Ask local expats and hotel staff about your idea for an activity before you embark on it. In Antigua, every travel agency offers organized, guided groups for both morning and afternoon hikes to the summit of Vulcan Pacaya. The best time to go is in the afternoon as you get to watch the sun set as you roast marshmallows over lava! I haven’t heard of a robbery occurring on these tours. Hotels in Antigua The Antigua hotels we recommend are: Hostal las Marias - $65 for double room, $60 single Calle a San Bartolo, Las Jacarandas, Lote #7, Antigua Phone: +502/5516-9147, +502/5516-9147 5550-1476 5550-1476 Hotel Aurora - $ 76 for double, $72 single – includes breakfast 4ta Calle Oriente #16, Antigua Phone: +502/7832-0217 +502/7832-0217 Casa Concepcion - $121 for room with balcony, includes breakfast Callejón del Hermano Pedro #2, Antigua, Guatemala Phone: (502)7832-5821 - (502)7832-0360 Casa Ovalle - $70 for double , $60 single, includes breakfast 2a. avenida norte No. 3, Antigu,a Guatemala Phone: (502) 7832-3031 Casa Rustica - $53 double, $43 single 6ta avenida norte #8, Antigua Phone: +502/7832-3709 +502/7832-3709 Don Valentino - $48 double and Casa Antigua - $65 double – are attached to the address of Casa Rustica You can find more detailed information at the Flower House FAQ page. If you need more clarity, please let us know. Do not hesitate to ask – there are no stupid questions. Let light shine in your hearts and fly light towards your new learning adventures. In love and service, Nadia pixyjoke@yahoo.com www.flower-house.info |