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Last week was our last week in San Pedro and the Spanish School. We both enjoyed the learning experience and are trying to speak mostly Spanish now, even to each other. Last week was Easter week, a very traditional and exciting time for all the Guatemalans here. There were many tourists from the cities who come for the party atmosphere and the beautiful religious traditions that we saw here, and are repeated all over the country.
We have included photos of the festivities. The "carpet" or alfombra is made by many groups of families and organizations from dyed sawdust, flowers, plants and even eggs. They work all night on preparing for the procession in the morning on Good Friday. Designs are made with templates cut by hand, and by intricate arrangement of the flowers and fruit, and some by "painting" with different colored material. They are stunning, as you can see. This "ephemeral" art disappears as soon as the progression goes by on it on Good Friday morning. It is swept up only a few feet behind the last part of the procession. A beautiful statement of faith and devotion.
On Monday, we began the second part of the trip by coming to Antigua for a few days before heading north. Antigua is a classic colonial city rebuilt at least twice following devastating earthquakes, the latest in 1976. The city is ringed by towering volcanos. It has become a commercial shopping and culinary center for travelers with many high-end shops and restaurants.
And, of course, many ruins of churches and old colonial buildings.
We are setting course for the rural highlands further north on our way to Tikal. Thursday we will go to Chichicastenango then to Nebaj, an isolated town of mostly indigenous Mayans recovering with the help of developmental NPO's from the terrible years of fighting in the 80's and 90's that took an especially large toll amongst those people.
We have included some photos in this post, and another post (for anyone interested) with many more photos of Semana Santa in San Pedro.
We hope that you all enjoyed Easter with your families, and vacation for all you who are teaching! We are really enjoying ourselves, and, of course would love to hear from you all.
Kathy and John
(Click on images below to see captions and slide show)
We have included photos of the festivities. The "carpet" or alfombra is made by many groups of families and organizations from dyed sawdust, flowers, plants and even eggs. They work all night on preparing for the procession in the morning on Good Friday. Designs are made with templates cut by hand, and by intricate arrangement of the flowers and fruit, and some by "painting" with different colored material. They are stunning, as you can see. This "ephemeral" art disappears as soon as the progression goes by on it on Good Friday morning. It is swept up only a few feet behind the last part of the procession. A beautiful statement of faith and devotion.
On Monday, we began the second part of the trip by coming to Antigua for a few days before heading north. Antigua is a classic colonial city rebuilt at least twice following devastating earthquakes, the latest in 1976. The city is ringed by towering volcanos. It has become a commercial shopping and culinary center for travelers with many high-end shops and restaurants.
And, of course, many ruins of churches and old colonial buildings.
We are setting course for the rural highlands further north on our way to Tikal. Thursday we will go to Chichicastenango then to Nebaj, an isolated town of mostly indigenous Mayans recovering with the help of developmental NPO's from the terrible years of fighting in the 80's and 90's that took an especially large toll amongst those people.
We have included some photos in this post, and another post (for anyone interested) with many more photos of Semana Santa in San Pedro.
We hope that you all enjoyed Easter with your families, and vacation for all you who are teaching! We are really enjoying ourselves, and, of course would love to hear from you all.
Kathy and John
(Click on images below to see captions and slide show)
- comments
Claudia Waters I love all the colors and especially the photo of John with his little companion by his side! Miss you. Now you both can be helpers in the Spanish classes!
Irene Es increíble que entre tanta pobreza, hay señales de la riqueza y de la belleza. Me encantan sus fotos. ¡Qué se divierten para el resto de su viaje! Me hacen falta, Irene
Katie Old "It looks BEAUTIFUL!" - comment by Cooper Old (6yr)
Pat Gregor Gorgeous photos! You seem to have captured the spirit of the Guatemalan Highlands and Semana Santa celebrations. Kathy, your ar-home Spanish class isn't the same without you!
Amy Those scenes are truly remarkable. I've never seen anything like that processional path of flowers. We love the pictures of the family you are staying with. Can't wait to see more from Tikal and the old Mayan town. Love, Amy
Julia Lawrence Such beautiful images in both the art and the faces of the people. What a blessing to be an intimate part of the culture during their holiest week of the year. Can't wait to hear all about your travels, especially your trek into Mayan culture. Julia