Mayan Ceremonial Grounds and Almost Falling Rocks

     Yesterday morning we walked to the reforestation center amidst the usual stares from locals amused by a large roaming group of Americans. At the center, we met with the head of reforestation,Toribio, who served as our guide into the country hills. We panted up a large hill while Guatemalan men periodically passed us carting over a hundred pounds of wood on their backs.

Toribio, our dear friend and guide

     After passing by strawberry, avocado, and banana plants, we reached Imox, a Mayan ceremonial ground. The Guatemalans had worshiped there for centuries, incorporating the Judeo-Christian God after the Spanish arrival. The grounds featured a cluster of rocks in the shape of a turtle. Almost all Mayan altars are shaped like turtles: during their ceremonies, the Mayans ask that God protect them as shells protect turtles. Toribio explained that the ceremonial grounds were central in the celebration of baptism and welcoming new life to the planet. Now the Catholic Church houses most baptisms, but there is a revival in use of the traditional grounds among young Mayans hoping to retain their culture.
One large departure from a typical Christian baptism includes the sprinkling of chicken blood on the altar. The use of candles and incense compare to Catholic ceremonies.

Turtle-shaped Altar

The smaller mayan altar

Our view down into the city from IMOX

avocado tree

     After lunch, our crew embarked again upon clearing out hillside to create a turn-around for trucks transporting coffee. The boys set their aims upon dislodging a boulder approximately two-thirds the size of a Smart Car from the side of the cliff. After close to an hour of prying and excavating, the boulder only wiggled a bit. We remain hopeful the rock will tumble before our departure.
Following dinner, we attempted to ignite a fire on the roof of the hotel. When our American efforts failed, we enlisted the help of our gatekeeper. After the skies began to drizzle, I exercised my Spanish to tell the tenacious worker not to worry. Determined, the man approached us half an hour later to exclaim he had made us a fire. Guatemalan work ethic at its finest.

- Carrie LaGrone