This is the place for photos and reflections of my visits to Latin America beginning in 2012. Previous blogs are linked on the main pages of my photo collections on flickr. HAPPY TRAILS!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

SANTIAGO ATITLÁN FAIR

Busy day today! The focus of this post is a visit Marty, Herb, and I made to Santiago Atitlán, just over half an hour away from San Pedro by boat. It was the day of the annual Santiago fair.

Right off the dock I recognized a guide I used for visits in 2007, 2009, and 2012 and he proved his worth again this year. We followed him up the street (note woman with traditional Santiago head adornment) 



and through the market and central square.



With his navigational assistance we then paid a visit to Maximón, patron saint of tobacco, alcohol, and prostitutes, who is moved to a new home every year. He's the wooden guy in the middle with a smoking cigarette in his mouth.



Next we visited the church where there were many areas with candles and lines for asking for the patron saint's blessings.



There was also a touching tribute and small museum in the chapel where Father Stanley Rother was martyred in 1981 for his support of the indigenous people during Guatemala's genocide period.



The glass box at the bottom protects remnants of his blood.



Then our guide took us up the block to watch a parade...





...and back to the Central Park area to experience this bizarre dancing scene.



We did a little people and kitty watching and enjoyed some ice cream on the way back through the market to the dock. Santiago is known for especially beautiful huipiles (women's blouses) with embroidered birds.









Happily, some of the people were Beca Project friends.



Here are 3 photos from the boat trip back to San Pedro.







You can find the complete photo sets for this trip HERE.
Happy trails!

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