We flew from Calgary to Houston, changed the plane and go to Guatemala City. A passenger told me that they export water melons to the US, 600 thousand boxes a year. The tour was booked through Caravan Tours, and our guide was Jorge (J is silent).
Took the bus from the airport to the Barcelo Hotel. Beautiful Hotel.
It is a country of magnificent lakes, volcanoes (about 30) and ancient ruins. Its northern border is the dividing line between north and south America.
Bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. It has been populated since 2500 B.C. Spanish arrived in 1523. Now it is a republic with population of 10 million people. Antigua was the capital under Spanish rule, but now it is G. City.
It is interesting in that the mountain chain (Sierra Madre) goes from east to west in curve.
The Mayan Civilization- is broken into three periods- preclassic (Formative) - 1500 B.C. to 300 A.D., classic - 300 to 900 and post classic- 900 t0 1500.
During the classic period , they developed system of written hieroglyphic script of over 300 symbols. The concept of zero was invented by the Maya. (Chicklets is a Mayan word!).
Their religion involves rituals, feasts, dances, and human sacrifices to appease their Gods. Around 900 A.D. a decline followed and they abandoned their cities.
Lake Atitlan- ( a Nahuatl word for lake ) Volcanic eruptions closed of rivers and valleys forming the lake. It is 5000 feet above sea level. Several Indian villages surround the lake.
Tikal - was the greatest city of the Mayans. It was their centre for commerce and culture, and, at its height, about 50 thousand people lived in the city. The mysterious decline happened around 900 A.D.
The tour was:
Tour of the city and a visit to the National Museum of Archaeology
Travel to Chichicastenango- breathtaking scenery. Indian villages and farming on hillside terraces. Visit to Saint Thomas Church. Rose petals on the floor and candles everywhere. Mayans and the Shamans pray in the Catholic Church, showing a blend of the two faiths.
Hotel in beautiful lake Atitlan. Alligators etc in the water. Cruise to the village of Santiago , with 3 dormant volcanoes overlooking. Visit to a coffee plantation. Entertained with their Marimba music. Could not resist buying a CD. Remarkable bird sounds. Then Antigua, which had been the capital for centuries, and is a Heritage Unesco Site. Children leaving school, in blue uniforms, but different in that the apron is flipped over the head onto clothing. Navy blue and outstanding. Visit the cathedral and the Fountain of the Sirens. Visit the Las Capuchinas Convent, with its circular living quarters. At one time the nuns were sequestrated for forty days and nights. The place to buy JADE. Pntechel, on the Carribean side. Apparently has negro dance, music and flavor of Africa. The highlight was of course, TIKAL. (suggest u research it yourself). See the Stelae at Quirigua. The Stelae are stone monoliths that have recorded Mayan history. The code was deciphered by a Russian and others.