If you haven’t heard yet, we’ve made it into Guatemala. Mexico has treated us well, and aside from getting stuck a few times, we didn’t have any problems at all. As soon as we crossed the border into Guatemala, I was stunned by the countless volcanic mountains that surrounded us. With 33 volcanoes spread throughout its highlands, Guatemala is one of those destinations that rewards even the most jaded world traveler. Only a few visitors will return home without pictures of these giants in their collection of snapshots. Not to mention the three volcanoes that are still active.
Guatemala is a beautiful showcase of natural history and dramatic landscapes, yet its most distinguishing asset is the rich and colorful traditions of the various ethnic communities, such as K'iché, Kaqchiquel and Achi. Guatemala is considered the heart of the Mayan world. Its an alive, magical, mystical, and ancestral country. Its history dates from four thousand years ago when the Mayan civilization emerged, and whose legacy is still evident in the traditions and culture of its people.
One of the most common things to see in Guatemala, is people carrying wood. You simply cannot go anywhere in Guatemala without seeing men hunched over carrying something on their backs which, more than not, weighs more than they do. They are experts at managing their loads. Rarely do they fall or drop their loads, and they generally move fast. The most common load is wood for their indoor cooking fires. Because of the high need for firewood, the men spend most of their time bringing wood home, so they can’t get gainful employment.
In Mexico, the most common place to wash clothes is in a pila, a shallow cement sink with a corrugated bottom that serves as a washboard. For those lacking this convenience, many towns offer large public sinks where women can meet and socialize as they do their wash. In Guatemala, most people do not have this luxury of a pila, and instead, was clothes in a river. Using large flat rocks as scrub boards.
Guatemala surprises me around every corner, and its people are absolutely amazing. Guatemalans are wonderful, kind, and hard-working. They value family relationships and they work hard to provide for their families. They are also very happy. No matter how heavy the load on their back, they’ll still smile, or stop to talk to you. They’re incredibly strong, and perform human feats I never thought possible. Such as riding a bike with one hand along a cobblestone street with three passengers hanging on to their neck; or riding on the back of a motorcycle, without holding on, while nursing a baby in one arm and carrying a toddler in the other.
Guatemala is a beautiful showcase of natural history and dramatic landscapes, yet its most distinguishing asset is the rich and colorful traditions of the various ethnic communities, such as K'iché, Kaqchiquel and Achi. Guatemala is considered the heart of the Mayan world. Its an alive, magical, mystical, and ancestral country. Its history dates from four thousand years ago when the Mayan civilization emerged, and whose legacy is still evident in the traditions and culture of its people.
One of the most common things to see in Guatemala, is people carrying wood. You simply cannot go anywhere in Guatemala without seeing men hunched over carrying something on their backs which, more than not, weighs more than they do. They are experts at managing their loads. Rarely do they fall or drop their loads, and they generally move fast. The most common load is wood for their indoor cooking fires. Because of the high need for firewood, the men spend most of their time bringing wood home, so they can’t get gainful employment.
In Mexico, the most common place to wash clothes is in a pila, a shallow cement sink with a corrugated bottom that serves as a washboard. For those lacking this convenience, many towns offer large public sinks where women can meet and socialize as they do their wash. In Guatemala, most people do not have this luxury of a pila, and instead, was clothes in a river. Using large flat rocks as scrub boards.
Guatemala surprises me around every corner, and its people are absolutely amazing. Guatemalans are wonderful, kind, and hard-working. They value family relationships and they work hard to provide for their families. They are also very happy. No matter how heavy the load on their back, they’ll still smile, or stop to talk to you. They’re incredibly strong, and perform human feats I never thought possible. Such as riding a bike with one hand along a cobblestone street with three passengers hanging on to their neck; or riding on the back of a motorcycle, without holding on, while nursing a baby in one arm and carrying a toddler in the other.