We left Chichi after breakfast and arrived at the village about one and one-half hours later. The last part of the drive was a twisting dirt road that left many feeling carsick. Once in the village, the people greeted us with fireworks and a very touching ceremony. The highlight for me was the juxtaposition of modern with what is obviously an old tradition. The master of ceremony built a fire in an area that was covered in fresh pine needles. He said prayers and burnt candles that he tipped into the fire. He then poured a 1 liter bottle of Pepsi around and into the fire. I wish I could understand the Mayan language so I could tell you what he was chanting. After he was done with the fire, he moved over to a marimba and began to play a song. While he was playing, his assitant recieved a phone call on her cell--and she answered the call. I couldn't help but smile at the modern world incorporated into the life of people so removed from everything.
The village reminds me of what I imagine the wild west once was. The existing structures are temporary, but the men are busy making cement blocks (one at a time) so they can erect permanent houses. We moved cement panels at the school construction site and then cleared a site for a new permenant house. I laughed hard while I was rolling a huge stumps off the site with my fellow traveler, Sheri, and two small Mayan women. By the end of the day we were filthy and tired. The Mayan villagers are very welcoming and the children are a delight. Our youth played games, jumped rope and entertained by their presence all of the village children.
Today, Lara was ill so we stayed back in Chichi while the others have gone back to work. I, like you, can't wait to hear the stories of the day. What a fabulous life we lead that allows us to be here. ;]
So good to hear from you and Lara, and I really hope she feels better. What tremendous experiences you have had. Thank you for writing so vividly about it all!
ReplyDeleteOh, and could you hug my big gangely son for me?
Wow! What an experience! The men of the village are primarily the ones building the school - a three classroom builindg. Most of the walls are up. We gringos are doing a LOT of excavation work. We are on our 4th excavation site leveling the ground for new houses. The village is starting from scrtch. They have already cleared the forest for their town site and have temporary corrugated steel and plastic roofed sheds they are currently living in (the plastic is from USAID - A Gift of the American People).
ReplyDeleteWe are using maddocks, shovels, axes, hoes, and wheelbarrows to nove rock and dirt - truly back breaking work but the kids are right in there for the full day each day.
Derek´s wife and the village women feed us lunch each day. Today we had a bowl of soup with chicken, carrots, and some vegie that Camille thought tasted like artichoke heart, but it looked a like a big pale green turnip.
You should see us when we´re done! We are covered in dirt from head to toe! Very dusty (especially when Aly did her muy rapido jump rope demonstration!). Reese was swarmed by los ninos when he squatted down to let them touch his mass of curly hair - which is becoming dreadlocky in the dirt, grime, and low volume showers.