Santiago Atitlan,
Western Highlands,
Guatemala
Thursday, October 30, 2008
This was just a one night stop but I am very pleased we chose to visit this lovely little village. Apart from a few beers and a little street food we didnīt really do much apart from get an early night. After arriving on the boat I was tired and wanted to wake up fresh the next morning to catch the weekly market. I left everyone else in bed, including Mish, who hadnīt had a very good nightīs sleep and followed the locals up to the main square where everyone was setting up their stalls. I had coffee and some sweet bread and was the only ĻgringoĻto be seen. Some people seemed a little bemused by my presence but mostly they all carried on about their business without giving me a second look. I had been waiting for a moment like this all trip. What I noticed was that most or nearly all of the people here in Santiago Atitlan were traditional Mayan people, choosing their Mayan language over Spanish. People here are happy with what they have and have done their best to keep it that way. As I stood, soaking up the atmosphere, a local guy approached me and started speaking in English. Apparently, he had just come back form working in the USA and invited me back to his mumīs house for coffee. I sat in their kitchen, sipping coffee and occasionally smiling at his mother who was nodding approvingly at the gringo in her house. We chatted about the village, Guatemala and many other things. He told me that when the trouble started in Guatemala back in the 90īs those that could flee the village did so, which left mostly only indigenous people behind, hence the number I had seen in the market place. The guy and his mother were very hospitable and I felt very privileged to be there. He told me I was welcome back at any time.
I hope I have many more experiences like this one.
XXX
Comments
Golden nuggets
It's wee nuggets like this that make you feel like one of the people and warm the heart. Would you ask some mad punter in Dartford to come back to your house for a coffee? Knowing you Wayne, you probably would :-)) Wishing many more golden experiences to come your way. aw the best. Bruce