All Our Bags Are Packed!: Latin America 2022, # 7: Guatemala

Latin America 2022, # 7

Guatemala

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We were shocked! Never saw anything like this during our previous travels. Bulk ships were unloading coal! Not good for the environment. Coal is the least expensive way to provide energy in Guatemala!

Hundreds of trucks were lined up to load coal to take to other parts of the country. Container trucks were also lined up - delivering and picking up goods. The truck at the end of line would probably have to wait (at least) three hours to reach port area.

Leaving ship for today’s tour

Musical group greets us at dock

Colorful items to buy

Map provides a geo-political perspective

Quetzal: National Bird

Mayans called Quetzal a “snake bird” because of its long tail

Our day started with a landslide. Big traffic jam trying to get around rocks, boulders and other debris covering the road

OMG!!!! Then, a volcano started to smoke - does not happen too often, so they say...

30 + volcanoes in the country. Part of the Pacific Basin's "Ring of fire."

Twin volcanoes

Crops grown on side of volcano

Antiqua: Old, colonial town

Volcano close to the town reminds us of Vesuvius and Pompei

Side street is very quiet. We had to detour because the main roads were “bumper-to-bumper” grid-lock.

Old American school buses are converted to meet (local) aesthetic designs.

Roads are made from stone and rock. Hard to drive on and hard to walk on!

We drove for about ninety minutes to reach a very interesting place that makes clothing representing the various Mayan sub-groups. Actual weaving occurs here.

Intricate designs - vibrant colors

There is also a small museum which shows some of the many different designs. These items are worn daily. It's somewhat like an ethic-cultural uniform.

The complexity and variation of the designs are fascinating!

Colors complement each other

Man’s outfit!

This could be 2023 fashion!

Headdresses are also interesting

Other designs are more subdued.

There are many more beautiful designs.

Interesting planter.

We went to a Jade factory and museum. An archaeologist/mineralogist husband and wife team came to Guatemala in 1974 to “prove” that jade existed since the Mayans used it for a variety of purposes. After many years, they discovered that jade existed in the area. The large, dark rock is jade. We learned how to differentiate a jade rock from something else. When a hammer hits a jade rock, it has somewhat of a high-pitched (almost empty bottle) sound. When the smaller beige rock behind the larger rock is hit, the sound is a lower, more solid dull sound.