GUATEMALA March 5-15, 2012

Monday, March 5 we left for Los Angeles to begin our 10 day trip to Guatemala.
I had found only one direct flight to Guatemala City, an over night leaving at 11:00PM. We didn't mind the late flight as we got into the city about 5:30 AM  their time (3:30 to us) and we were able to check into our room at the Barcelo and get some sleep. We were traveling with Caravan Tours which meant once we got to Guatemala City everything from then on was planned and taken care of for us. It's a wonderful company offering a great 10 day trip for a fantastic price! Our friends, Maria and Frank Penner from Pacific Grove, CA joined us late that evening.

We spent 2 days in Guatemala City, relaxing at the hotel our first day then visiting the National Museum of Archeology and Art Museum on Wednesday. 

We saw amazing Mayan artifacts and began our introduction into the incredible Mayan culture. 

Jade Mask

Interior courtyard of Museum

Paul waiting while Maria and I explored the Art Museum

Later that afternoon we had a tour of the city from the modern area of our hotel to the historic downtown.  
Thursday morning we boarded our bus for an early departure into the Guatemala highlands northeast of the city. In the distance we could see several of the 37 volcanoes in Guatemala, 4 of which are still active.

Along the drive we saw crops still being hand-tilled and grown on impossibly steep hillsides, even an ox drawn plow preparing a field.

Our first destination was the colorful village of Chichicastenango 

and a visit to Santo Tomas Church where Mayan and Catholic rituals are blended together; Mayan offerings burning along the center aisle while all around are Catholic statues and altars. Amazing! 
As we left the church a funeral was starting up the steps. 

The casket being carried through the crowded village on the shoulders of the men then on up the steep steps. It was also market day so the booths were filled with beautiful crafts.

We wound through the market and then stepped into a small courtyard and found a woman sitting under a tree using a backstrap loom to weave beautiful wall hangings...and I did a little shopping 

Out another doorway was this view of the cemetery. So colorful! 

We had seen several of these colorful cemeteries along the drive. Such a unique part of the Mayan culture. The turquoise and green signify and adult member of the family, white and yellow indicate the passing of an elderly member, pink and blue are reserved for deceased children. They often bring some alcohol to the cemetery on Sundays visiting as an entire family...it's not mournful as they tip the bottle to the earth do the deceased can get their share.




After 3 hours visiting the city we continued on to our next 2 night stay overlooking Lake Atitlan, 5000 ft above sea level. What a gorgeous hotel with gardens EVERYWHERE! I could have stayed here for weeks!

Hotel Atitlan

Sunrise view 

 I got up early Friday morning to enjoy the solitude of the gardens. We took a morning cruise across Lake Atitlan to one of the many Indian villages, Santiago Atitlan. Beautiful local Mayan people in traditional dress.

Yes, a new purple scarf for me!

Lush coffee trees with berries, an organic plantation

Saturday morning we drove into the picturesque and world famous coffee growing region of Guatemala with a visit to a coffee plantation and coffee museum at Finca La Azotea.

Beans set out to dry on the ground

The small independent plantation also had a museum showcasing Guatemala's unique musical instruments. We were treated to a concert on the lawn.  These 3 brothers were actually going to be in Las Vegas the following week to be part of a Latin talent show. 

Our next location and beautiful hotel was the elegant Porta Hotel in Antigua, a colonial city and Guatemala's capital for more than two centuries.

 It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best preserved colonial cities in all of Latin America. We loved it! 













While we toured the city we came to the village laundry area still in use today by local women.

In one of the churches we visited we saw this beautiful art work on the floor near the front altar.  It is made of dyed sawdust and created for the Easter holidays. Around the outside were many fruits and vegetables.

Since we were visiting during Lent we saw an amazing local procession on Sunday, unlike any I've ever seen. Hundreds of men and boys dressed in purple robes carrying an enormous wooden religious float balanced on their shoulders. They had been walking from a neighboring village from early morning and arrived in Antigua mid afternoon.  The procession wouldn't return to the village until close to midnight.  It was something to see!

From Antigua we traveled to the Caribbean side of Guatemala, a long drive into the lush jungle and along beautiful waters. 

We had a 2 night stay at the Villa Maya Lodge set on a 67 acre nature preserve. 

The lake view from the lodge; it even had a resident crocodile.

Paul's favorite chair on the whole trip!

The base of the banyan tree

Our primary destination for the entire trip were the Mayan ruins of Tikal with its towering pyramids rising above the rainforest. Tuesday morning we were up early for the drive to Tikal.

No, we weren't arrested...just trying to channel some of the mystical energy  of the ruins.

Returning to Gutemala City on Wednesday we stopped at Quirigua, a remarkably preserved Mayan archeological site. 

The 10 day trip was now ending but what an impressive visit to a beautiful part of the world! The people, the landscape and the history, we loved it all!

We returned to LAX and on to San Luis to pick up Foster and our motorhome, refreshed and ready to see more of the beauty and history of our states.