Day of the Dead Kite Festival: Sumpango, Guatemala

This year we got to watch an unusual celebration on November 1st.  

A day where people here remember their dead, clean & decorate their tombs, then build & attempt to fly some HUGE kites as a means of communicating with those who have passed on.  

Cemeteries, like the rest of Guatemala, are a little more colorful than those in the States.

The Kite Festival!

We arrived early in the day and were glad ... by the afternoon, it was CROWDED!

Of course, there was plenty of food!

 

And while I don't believe that a kite will communicate with my own dead relatives, I do believe that a culture who takes the time to remember those who have passed on has a depth to it that our culture is lacking.  It was a really special day to be part of. 

Guatemala Randomness

Some pictures from the past few weeks --

Jason drives in Panajachel!

A Guatemalan "enchilada" -- complete with beets & egg

I'm glad Jason saw this guy - I would have been startled (to say the least) when I blindly reached for the paper

I stopped next to this young man to watch a parade for a few minutes and cringed when I realized he had RAW
chicken in his bags, baking in the sun while he enjoyed the festivities.

Live chicken delivery

Poinsettia TREES already in full bloom here

AMAZING flower a friend brought me from her yard

Our bridge - looks super safe, right?

I love these wheelbarrows, they just look so sweet. When I commented to Jason about them, he brought me
back to reality by reminding me how heavy they would be before a load was even added.

What can you carry on your head??

Sunrise from our window

Trick or Treat!

My cousin knit these AWESOME hats for Luke -- I can't decide if he should be a puppy or a pumpkin today??!!

On Luke news ...
- he's got four teeth now and is quickly learning how to use them (ouch, they're sharp!)
- he crawls EVERYWHERE and pulls himself up onto everything in sight (I've been exhausted these past two weeks as I adjust to his new level of activity)
- he says dada and has learned to growl/roar :)

Lake Atitlan Villages: Santa Cruz la Laguna & Jaibalito

Our weekend away in Santa Cruz was by far the best weekend we've had here yet -- we'd been scrambling to find a getaway destination that wouldn't cost a fortune and wouldn't require hours on a bus to get there.  Santa Cruz is a 5 minute tuk-tuk ride + 15 minute boat ride away from Pana and was just perfect.

My favorite picture from our weekend --

We arrived at Isla Verde on Thursday evening in the rain and were thrilled just to arrive (especially after the significant stair climb up to our cabin -- times like these remind me quite suddenly that we are living at 5,000 feet).

In the morning, we had an awesome panorama of this gorgeous lake we live on.  We had nowhere to be, nothing really to do - it was perfection.

Isla Verde is just outside of Santa Cruz village and it's cabins are built going up the hill just above the white building at the water's edge.

Our cozy cabin & views from our windows - amazing!

The bathroom in our cabin was a sort of indoor/outdoor affair. Built into the cliffside, with rock and bamboo. Very cool.

One of the coolest flowers I've seen here!

A big part of what is special about the two villages is that they can only be reached by boat or by foot.  I love that!
The village of Santa Cruz la Laguna -- built into the steep hills rising from the lake.

One of my favorites -- corn growing in a small plot of soil on the rooftop terrace of this building.

Jaibalito was a 30 minute walk from Isla Verde and we loved both the walk and the village.  I think the village reminded us a bit of our time on Apo Island and maybe the nostalgia made us love this village even more.  










































I am fascinated by how any available spot in the sun is utilized to hang laundry.

The homes of the locals were very simple.































As opposed to the ex-pat homes -- which were so noticeable in their contrast to the surrounding homes.
This blue/brown doorway is one the prettiest I've seen yet.

 More corn!

One final view from Santa Cruz of this gorgeous place!

Climbing a 9,900 foot volcano

That's right!  Jason will soon be viewing the world from the top of the San Pedro volcano!

This morning he took off across the lake with a couple of his co-workers, Emily & Allison, plus Allison's Dad (who is an amazing float plane adventurer).  It's been killing Jason to be within view of SO many spectacular mountains and yet not be able to just go out exploring.  Unfortunately, unlike Vermont it's just not safe to venture out on your own in the mountains here.  So, with local guide in tow - the group set off around six this morning.  Luke and I had to take a pass -- I'm not sure if he's ready for nearly 10,000 feet!