A Day in the Life of the Mayans
Today we got to sleep in until 7:30 and at 9 we left for Honduras. The hour and a half trip across the border was a surprise to us all, as Brother Jim gave us the option of going to the city of Copan, where there are some Mayan ruins dating back to 400 A.D. It was incredible to view so far back in time to a civilization that was as advanced as the Mayans. The irrigation systems, intricate artistry, and enormous, multi- leveled buildings were awesome evidence of a clearly intelligent and thriving culture. Makes you wonder what happened, and how different the world would be if it had been them that had discovered the wheel first! Also interesting to think that their ancestors (the indigenous) are still living around this part of the world with some of the same traditions. We have nothing close to this in the US.
After the ruins, we stopped at a local, very, very traditional restaurant. There was no need for menus because there was one option, chicken, that had been harvested only a few hours before, along with soup, rice, tortillas, etc. Adam and I found ourselves totally immersed in the culture as we basically challenged eachother to eat chicken livers and hen´s eggs (which were cooked inside of the hen, never taken out). I can still taste the liver: Adam loved it.
On an exciting note, we were playing cards outside on a patio area when two most-likely-mating gekkos fell on Steve´s lap. Some dancing and screaming followed but we were eventually thankful they weren´t scorpions. When I picked up one of the gekkos I grabbed it by the tail and in an instant I was only holding the squirming tail of gekko which had quickly ran into the bushes.
Life in Guatemala is amazing; between wildlife and Br. Jim´s driving, there is never a dull moment. Now if it would only cool down.
God Bless,
Cullen
Hey Cullen and friends,
Sounds great to hear about your trip and experience in Guatemala. Keep updating your posts… it is so awesome to hear how it is going and to learn along with you all.
Thanks,
Auntie Colleen
Great hearing about your adventures! I pray your hearts and ears are open to the Spirit! Blackfeet prayers are offered for you!
Br. Paul Ackerman
Just checked out your blog. Sounds pretty exciting. Give my regards to all. Know that you are in my daily thoughts and prayers. Enjoy!
Just want you to know that your blog is addicting. I can’t wait to come into the office each morning and read what you have posted and see any photos. Cullen’s report this morning was great. It was the perfect balance of general(Mayan culture and ruins) and specific (your itinerary and insights, the meal and the gekko) information. It made me want to know more about how you cook an egg inside the hen and what does it taste like. Do you peel it like it is hard boiled or is it baked like a mini-chicken? Keep it coming, I love it. Cheryl
Hi Cullen (and all),
Could you identify the other people in this photo? Who’s taking the pictures?
Warmish here, too, but I have the idea that it’s REALLY hot there.
Mis queridos amigos — Estéban, Juan, Adán, Culleno, Lorenzo, Jaime, y Patricio-Predilecto,
¡Saludos de Winona! I am enjoying reading about your trip, and the great photos! I look forward to hearing more about your experiences when you return. Your jottings bring back happy memories of visits to some of the places you are seeing — Antiqua, Chiquimula, Esquipulas, Tell Hermano Patricio to only eat the frijoles once a day! And Culleno, I love your new “do!”
Fraternalmente,
H. Lorenzo y Juan “El Perro” – el chico bueno!