After the excitement of the night before, we awoke to a bright sparkling vista from our bedroom window. Fortunately this was the day we had arranged to visit to other lakeside villages by boat.
First stop was San Antonio Palopo. Javier knew many people in this village and took us around allowing us to see life as it really is for the Maya people. He stopped often explaining things and when he got into conversation with one older gentleman, we were ushered into his home and introduced to his wife and daughter. As you will see from the photograph, many people still wear traditional Maya clothing which is specific to each village.
The crafts in this area are mainly weaving and pottery with the latter being exported world-wide. They are trying to educate the young into these skills.
We then moved on to Santiago Atitlan, which was much bigger and more touristy. On landing, Javier introduced us to an old lady who still wore a xk'ap, a band of red cloth approximately 10 metres long which they wrap around their head to make a hat. For 5 quetzal she willingly showed us how.
Our tour of the town included the church where the Maya people pay homage to Maximom the evil god of smoking and drinking.
The next day, we visited the Atitlan Nature Reserve. We were dropped off at the front gate for what we thought would be a gentle stroll through the butterfly house and nature trail. What we got was indeed some butterflies but the trail was more of a strenuous hike up the side of a mountain which included crossing seven, fairly long hanging bridges.
After a well deserved lunch, we tried to find hot springs near our hotel. After clambering along rough cut steps along the edge of the lake, we gave up and returned to the pool for an afternoon of sun on a very hard wooden sunbed without a cushion.
Tomorrow we leave for a night in Guatemala City.
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| I thought it was women who were meant to be vain! |
The crafts in this area are mainly weaving and pottery with the latter being exported world-wide. They are trying to educate the young into these skills.
We then moved on to Santiago Atitlan, which was much bigger and more touristy. On landing, Javier introduced us to an old lady who still wore a xk'ap, a band of red cloth approximately 10 metres long which they wrap around their head to make a hat. For 5 quetzal she willingly showed us how.
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| Starting the process |
The next day, we visited the Atitlan Nature Reserve. We were dropped off at the front gate for what we thought would be a gentle stroll through the butterfly house and nature trail. What we got was indeed some butterflies but the trail was more of a strenuous hike up the side of a mountain which included crossing seven, fairly long hanging bridges.
After a well deserved lunch, we tried to find hot springs near our hotel. After clambering along rough cut steps along the edge of the lake, we gave up and returned to the pool for an afternoon of sun on a very hard wooden sunbed without a cushion.
Tomorrow we leave for a night in Guatemala City.
You've both really caught the sun. The stripy shirts suit.
ReplyDeleteDear M - I've also learned the hat trick tieing so wll give a lesson on return for 5 glasses of SB.
ReplyDelete