- DSC07279
View of Lago Atitlan from Ajq'ij Marcelo Alonso Felipe's roof - DSC07291
Altar - DSC07301
Ajq'ij Marcelo Alonso Felipe's altar room - DSC07312
Then we went outside and climbed the staircase up to the roof. Marcelo arranged many thin candles in a circle, and placed eggs and cigarettes in strategic places. He put a block of molasses on the top and lit the fire. He gave us each small black candles to hold in our left hands and small white ones to hold in our right hands. He splashed aguardiente liquor onto the fire. He came to each of us and blessed us, took the candles from us, broke them in half, and tossed them onto the fire. An egg exploded on the fire and a cigarette flew off of the fire pile. He said that this was a good omen for my grandmother. He continued to tend the fire until it was down to the coals. It was raining but we were under a corrugated metal covering. A rooster next to me kept clucking, and we could hear the sound of the neighborhood women making tortillas, patting the dough between their palms. He anointed us with flower oil and gave me the remainder. He said to bring it to my grandmother and mark the four cardinal directions with it. We all went back into the altar room and enjoyed hot chocolate (a favorite of the Mayan deities) and bread. It was so great to participate in another ritual. Marcelo remembered us from last year and said he was honored that we had wanted to return to pray for my grandmother. It was such an amazing cultural experience and we are very grateful! - DSC07335
Cristian and Paola - DSC07342
Aracely and Humberto - DSC07356
The bat is the traditional Mayan symbol of Solola - DSC07358
Ian Ivan and Aracely in the van on the way to the hot springs - DSC07361
Almolonga - DSC07372
The road to Zunil was blocked by protesters. Passing the blockade would be akin to crossing a picket line, making yourself a target of potential violence. So everyone heading that way needed to turn around, including this truck. This reminded us of the movie "Duel"... - DSC07401
Zunil - DSC07413
Church of San Jacintho ("La Ermita") Salcaja The first church built in Central America (1524) - DSC07415
Church of San Jacintho ("La Ermita") Salcaja The first church built in Central America (1524) - DSC07427
Salcaja is known for its production of Caldo de Frutas, a homemade red liquor made from fruits. Though we had anticipated buying it at a liquor store, the reality was that we showed up at a lawyer's office, knocked on the door, and a man let us into the waiting room. A woman came out with bottles of the liquor and some fruit soaked in it. We tasted the liquor and the fruit. Humberto bought a bottle for us to enjoy over the weekend. It was a surreal experience. - DSC07428
Tyson bought some Caldo de Frutas to bring home