Let the festivities begin
Trip Start
Nov 24, 2005
1
5
40
Trip End
May 21, 2006
Xela,
Guatemala
Friday, December 9, 2005
Nearby San Cristobel (yes, back there again) boosts a unique event when men run through the streets sporting gaudy red costumes and plastic devil masks. Many quite eager to pose for a picture. The people of the village stand on balconies and in doorways happily chatting and munching on snacks, hoping the devils randomly decide to run down their street.
No more devils to encounter our teachers gave us an all important cultural lesson in the highly revered firework
01_devil in the street
. The display was good for a few laughs. At least until one renegade cracker went whizzing all too close to my head!Unfortunate timing with the ever unreliable chicken buses meant we missed the height of the fire burning spectacle back in Xela. But as we passed through the town we did see street dotted with small fires and families searching more materials with which to stoke the flames.
The entire fire aspect of the day appeared to serve as a convenient opportunity to rid the house of lingering rubbish including many an old car tire. And of course there were fireworks. Naturally.
Today my teacher decided that I could visit a nearby market during class time. Learning disguised as fun. My favourite kind. More chicken bus adventure later and we were in San Francisco.
Before venturing forth to the massive market we visited a sacred Mayan site where people burn garlic, candles and much paper in hopes of having their wishes granted. The Mayan people in Guatemala are primarily Catholic but with their own twists of traditions and beliefs
02_more devils
. And the views from site! Spectacular. I'd have to agree with them that the place is certainly special.Like its American namesake this town involves much walking of hills. And so we set off through the crowds.
The markets. It is difficult to know where to start. The new collides with the traditional head on in Guatemala and San Francisco is a prime example. If you are in search of knock off Tommy Hillfiger, Nike or hat sporting a NFL logos this is your spot. But there was also aisles of finely crafted textiles, colourful displays of fruits and intricately embroidered Mayan clothing. I managed to avoid any purchases, but I suspect I'll be back.... And so I happily trotted back to the chicken bus eager to return to Xela and tell Chris all I'd seen.
Comments
ohmygod
I am sooo jealous. you sound like you are having the most amazing time and I can only sit and dream. But one day I may realize my dream (once I have my qualification and some money behind me) and who knows, it might be sooner than I think.
Happy travelling!!!