Hidden Treasures of Chapinlandia

Las Conchas Waterfalls, Guatemala

25 May 2015 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

Parque Natural Las Conchas is a set of waterfalls on the Río Chiyú tumbling into tranquil green pools amid tropical rainforest. While the highest of the waterfalls forms a white curtain several meters high, the currents beneath are not so strong and you can swim across the pools. Las Conchas Municipal Park comprises a series of spectacular waterfalls, turquoise pools and numerous, diverging rivulets and creeks.

Las Conchas is the translation of the place name Se Pemech (The Snails) in the local Q’eqchi’ Mayan language and refers to the many piles and deposits of mollusk shells found near the falls. The abundant, edible snails have been an attraction for the local indigenous population for countless generations. A wide variety of birds and other wildlife, including red-eyed tree frogs and a multitude of butterflies, can be seen in the area. If you’re lucky, you might see an arboreal kinkajou or inquisitive coatimundi.

Hombres de Todos Santos

Men of Todos Santos

25 May 2015 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

Todos Santos Cuchumatán is a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango. The village of San Martin Cuchumatán is the second largest urbanized centre in the municipality of Todos Santos. San Martin is also the agricultural heart of the Cuchumateca valley which produces crops like potatoes, broccoli and large scale cultivation of coffee on the lower mountain slopes of the municipality.

The population of Todos Santos is predominantly indigenous, of Mayan descent, most of whom still speak the Mayan language of Mam. The town is one of few places in Guatemala where indigenous men still wear their traditional clothing, along with the women.

An annual festival is celebrated on October 31-November 2, and is centered on All Saints' Day on November 1 ("Todos Santos" translates to "all saints" in English). Festivities include traditional dances, marimba music and the famous horse races. The horse races are often the scene of mayhem and bloodshed due to the riders' penchant to drink alcohol for days leading up to the races even though the mayor banned the selling of hard alcohol in May 2008.

Preparing the Tortilla

Corn Tortilla

25 May 2015 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

In Mexico and Central America, a tortilla is a type of thin, unleavened flat bread, made from finely ground maize (corn). In Guatemala and Mexico, there are three colors of maize dough for making tortillas: white maize, yellow maize and blue maize (or black maize).

A tortilla seller is a Nahuatl: tlaxcalnamacac. The traditional tortilla has been made of maize corn since pre-Columbian times. It is made by curing maize in limewater in the nixtamalization process, which causes the skin of the corn kernels to peel off (the waste material is typically fed to poultry), then grinding and cooking it, kneading it into a dough called masa nixtamalera, pressing it flat into thin patties, and cooking it on a very hot comal (originally a flat terra cotta griddle, now usually made of light sheet-metal instead). In Guatemala, they are still often made by hand and are thicker. Corn tortillas are customarily served and eaten warm; when cool, they often acquire a rubbery or grainy texture as the cooked starches stale.

Guatemalan Weavers

Weavers of Todos Santos

22 Oct 2014 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

Guatemalan weaving is an ancient Maya tradition that dates backs some 1,200 years ago. Mostly it is the women that have been weaving but traditionally it is the men who operate the foot-powered loom. This traditional Maya treadle loom is used to weave multi-purpose cotton fabric, corte fabric, scarves among other textiles. Weaving is as much a part of the day's domestic duties as cooking, cleaning, working in the fields, and caring for children.

Shown in the postcard is a Guatemalan woman weaving a textile on a backstrap loom in Todos Santos, a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango. The population of Todos Santos is predominantly indigenous, of Mayan descent, most of whom still speak the Mayan language of Mam. The town is one of few places in Guatemala where indigenous men still wear their traditional clothing, along with the women.

The Place where flowers abound

Esquipulas

22 Oct 2014 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

Esquipulas, whose original name was Yzquipulas, is a municipality located in the department of Chiquimula, in eastern Guatemala, the largest city and capital of the municipality is the city of Esquipulas. In Nahuatl, known informally as Aztec, Esquipulas is translated as Isquitzuchil which means 'place where flowers abound'

This city is known as the main point of Central Catholic pilgrimage, as it is the place where they worship the Black Christ of Esquipulas. It is also one of the most important cities of the country and one that has had the most economic and cultural growth.

Eden on Earth

Atitlán-Guatemala

*Sometime in June 11~18 2014 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING FRIEND

Lake Atitlán is a fairly large lake for the elevation in the Guatemala highlands. It is technically endorheic (lacking direct flow to the sea) but substantial seepage feeds two nearby rivers. Atitlan is recognized to be the deepest lake in Central America. "Atitlán" means "at the water".

Richie shared with me before that he would go hiking to this place. It was his first experience as a backpacker. Lake Atitlán, famous for its natural beauty and colorful Mayan villages, is located in the department of Sololá. There are many towns around the lake, and Richie wrote that he has been to San Pedro la Laguna and a few other towns. He traveled by boat, tuc-tuc (a small passenger vehicle that resembles a three-wheeled motorcycle with a metal or canvas frame), pick-up, cars, and of course by feet.

*I was in HK and Macau during that time

Children of Guatemala

Niños Mayas

23 Apr 2014 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING SWAP

Richie told me about the stickers that the Guatemalan post office are placing in the postcard. If there's no space at the back of the postcard, they will stick it in the front side of the postcard. I actually contemplated for a while if I should remove the sticker. But I realized, it somehow adds character to the postcard.

Guatemala’s nickname of “The Land of Eternal Springtime”. The country has a rich indigenous heritage, and people in colorful Mayan clothing are still a regular part of the daily scene. But Guatemala’s paradise-like environment is marred by severe poverty and frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes, flooding and landslides, making it one of the places where Children International’s efforts are most needed and appreciated.

Source: Children International

My first postcard from Guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala

23 Apr 2014 | From Richie of Guatemala

POSTCROSSING SWAP

Guatemala is located in Central America and is divided into 22 departments (states). The official language is Spanish, but 23 other languages are spoken. Guatemala has a rich and distinctive culture from the long mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people. This diverse history and the natural beauty of the land have created a destination rich in interesting and scenic sites.

The picture in the postcard is Antigua Guatemala. Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. It was destroyed by several earthquakes but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins.

Antigua Guatemala is an outstanding example of preserved colonial architecture and of cultural value. The religious, private and government buildings bear exceptional testimony to the Spanish colonial architecture in Antigua. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Source: UNESCO