The Wanderings of busman7

Name of composer of Guatemalan anthem, Rafael Avalverez Ovalle.

In afternoon of  first day stopped at Maya ruins at Iximche not a bad site but nothing to compare to Tikal bur a bit different than the others as it is in a mountainous region not the jungle.

The home stay was a real eye opener the way they lived, every thing just basic, cement floors with no paint & minimal furniture with brick wood burning stove. When I was shown my room it was explained that the Mayan tradition required the pine needles spread on the floor & the candle burning as a sign of respect to the guest also it made the room smell nice.

We talked for an hour or so, perhaps communicated is a better word, using my limited Spanish, a few words of English they knew & sign language. Then cena (supper) in the kitchen, frijolies negra y huevos y tortilas y pan banano. After supper an hour of impromptu Spanish & English lesson followed by bed on a bit hard bed but not that bad.

The casa consisted of 3 buildings with kitchen, bedroom & bathroom each in there own building. Different but the people were among the friendliest I have ever met.

On comparing notes with the others in the group all said the same about their hosts & considered it a privile4dge to have stayed in their homes & been involved in the family activities, with the exception of Mr know it all from Vancouver who was told there was a Canadian living a couple doors down & spent the evening drinking beer with a Canadian (no comment).

More to follow,

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 16:17 and is filed under Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.