Maya Quetzal San Cristobal de las Casas

... den Ma**kten d** Pueblos v**kauft w**den kann.

An d** Strasse ob**halb Acteals gibt es einige Tiendas, in denen man sich mit Grundnahrungsmitteln (Also Bohnen!) eindecken kann, ab** auch mal eine Fanta od** Cola trinken kann, Plaetzchen (imm** die gleichen) kauft od** zur Not Klopapi** besorgen kann. Fu** Fruechte muss man nach Polho laufen. 30 Minuten entf**nt. Polho ist ein zapatistisches "Dorf" in das man nur mit Genehmigung des Caracols von Oventic gelangt. An d ...

... through the mountains from San Cristobal. After showing identification at the gates and explaining a little bit about ourselves, we were taken to the Junta - a panel who would determine whether we could enter the community. After a short wait we were called inside and seated in front of four scary looking Zapatistas, wearing the trademark balaclavas to protect their identities. We were still unsure of how we would be greeted, and there remained a potentially ...

... bedeckt von Kiefernadeln. Und es hat abertausende brennende Kerzen, sowohl auf den Tischen wie auch direkt auf dem Boden. Als ich die Kirche betrat, putzten gerade einige Maenner in ihren traditionellen Kleidern den Boden (hauptsaechlich kratzten sie den Wachs weg). Daneben beteten Mayafrauen mit ihren Kindern auf Tzotzil (ihre Sprache). Und ich hatte ein riesen Glueck, denn ich hatte die Moeglichkeit, eines ihrer Rituale life mitzuerleben: Es waren ...

... shuttle to the Mexico/Guatemala border then walk over to La Mesilla after which we'll hop on a bus to Xela. Thank goodness for Ticketbus counters. We bought tickets on the 11:30 a.m. OCC bus for 80 pesos for the 3.5 hour ride to the la fronterra.

It was 2:30 in the afternoon when we arrived, early enough to make the connection to Xela. All was going well except when Stacey noticed that she had forgotten her wallet on the bus! Eeks! The incredibly nice ...

... to be very interesting in particular the screening of a traditional Mayan pregnancy and birth. At the back of the museum the Mayan's sold all sorts of interesting potions to cure illnesses, made from various herbs and plants. The village surrounding was extremely traditional and indigenous, something out of a wild west movie. We were very careful to respect the Mayans attitude of not liking their photos taken, especially ...

... It was a lot warmer here than in San Cristobal. About 20 km from Palenque, we stopped again to see the waterfall at Misol-Ha. The water here drops 35 meters into a lovely wide pool. It reminded me of a jungle movie set. We were able to walk behind the falls and then the highlight for Chris and I was to walk barefoot into a dark cave with water up to our knees. A flashlight was used to lead the way towards an underground pool with a waterfall ...

... the Catholic part.

When was the last time that you went to a Catholic mass and had a religious figure sacrifice a chicken in the church by cutting off its head? This is done in the belief that this would cure some illness or problems or exorcise the evil sprits from which the petitioner is suffering.

The practitioners were all business and solemn in their demeanor. The men in general had a hint of a menacing look about them and while the urge was there to sneak a ...

... was in La Paz, Bolivia. This was particularly true at the time in 1999 because I was coming from Chile, a country that percentage wise has perhaps the smallest indigenous population in South America. Chile is the most European country in South America so it was a breath of fresh air and a burst of color to come to Bolivia and La Paz, in particular, to see all the indigenous people. Of special interest were the women with their bowler hats.

The indigenous women of ...

... left at 7am to catch our shuttle to the border. very cramped small minibus and it only stopped once in four hours at an expensive restaurant for food. we hadnt bought any money as were leaving mexico so it was pretty boring and hungry times. had to wait at the border for two hours for next bus adn then it was a 6 hour drive to panachel where we ended up having to spend the night. panajachel is on lake atilan, it is so pretty. the towns the ...

... of Mexico and Guatemala on the other end. I saw a little grotto for Virgin Mary, a few crocodiles, a monkey and something in the mountain that they called a Christmas tree. Am off to the jungle tomorrow, and the bus leaves at 6am! So off to bed now.