North South photography by Crystal Masters - Yos and Dawna

Life on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Meeting Yos from San Diego was a bonus when he introduced us to Shad, the guy with the organic farm in Tzununa. Not only does he and his wife Caleen grow good greens, but they have goats to make cheese from, they make goat yogurt/kefir that is a wonderful addition to smoothies, with granola, to drink with grated organic local cacao or like last night, add to borscht as a creamy condiment.
Shad comes to San Marcos from Tzununa, the next village over every Thursday with fresh products from his farm. We caught up with him at the Waldorf School under the big bamboo forest. He had 5 bags of mixed salad greens left and 3 goat yogurt/kefirs. Between Yos and I we bought what was left. Many more seekers of good organic food came to buy, but for this week, that was all he had.
I overheard a mom of some Waldorf students ask if Shad would harvest an organic chicken for her family, but he had only organic rabbit to offer. She declined saying "my children are enjoying the tale of the tortoise and the hare, so I'll pass on rabbit, thanks."
We are invited to the Atitlan Organics farm tour which Shad and Caleen give each Friday at 9:30 to 12 noon.
I have a hand drawn map that Shad patiently draws out for each and every interested farm tour participant as to how to get there. In a nutshell you either take the launcha (boat) or a Tuctuc (3 wheel taxi)  to Tzununa, cross the blue bridge and then walk up the mountain trail for 5-7 minutes staying right, then staying left until you arrive at Atitlan Organics gate. There you will be greeted.

Shad and Caleen-Atitlan Organics 479 530 49