Culture Quest 2017

Culture Quest 2017 returned to the roots of the first quest in revisiting the region of Central America. But this time the 32 participants chose a different route. Starting off in the balmy Playa del Carmen region of Mexico, they enjoyed a morning lecture and tour of the Mayan ruins in Tulum. Five teams then headed off for their adventures through Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. Each team participated in a variety of local activities — from biking through small towns in Mexico to scuba-diving and fishing in Belize — in addition to eating all sorts of local delicacies along the way. From Gallo en perro and homemade ice cream to the ubiquitous McDonald’s restaurants, they tried it all.   Many teams took the opportunity to visit the Mayan ruins in Tikal, Guatemala, before all met up again at the final destination in Antigua, Guatemala. The quest ended with a visit to a local coffee plantation, where the students learned first-hand how the aromatic coffee beans are harvested in the country and then brought to market. They even had the chance to sample the tasty local product.