On 7 February we took an 11-hour bus to San Cristobal de las Casas. A couple of Dramamine and I slept most of the way and didn't even notice the winding road through the mountains.
In the state of Chiapas and bordering Guatemala, the city of San Cristobal de las Casas is extraordinary.
At an elevation of 7,200 feet, it was time to break out the polar fleece again after spending the previous two weeks at the beach.
Everything about the historic district is to like.
Lots of large and small churches, of course.
Cobblestone streets that are blocked off for foot traffic only.
A large number of tourists, like us.
No problem finding something to eat.
At least a couple of different tribes of indigenous people in the area with their own languages. Chiapas contains several Myan ruins. So, many of the people in the area are of Myan heritage.
The cross in front of the biggest church is the meeting point for tour groups.
On our tour we visited the town of San Juan Chamula inhabited and governed by the indigenous Tzotzil Myan people who speak the Tzotzil language.
When the Spanish Conquistadors first arrived, they were surprised to find what they assumed were crucifixes. Turns out the crosses have a totally different Myan meaning. The church in the background appears to be like any other Catholic church, but it turns out it is more of a hybrid church. Definitely, the most interesting church we have ever visited.
We were not allowed to take pictures in the church. So, we took this picture in a museum in Mexico City. There are no pews. The floor is covered with pine straw. There are no sermons, but people worship there all times of the day. There are the usual Christian statues in addition to shamans, candles, sacrificial chickens, evil-removing-eggs, Coca-Cola, mirrors, and lots more! A simplistic explanation is that they added aspects of Christianity they thought were useful and continued their old Myan traditions.
This archway is the indication of a priest. We went inside his house to see the ritual he was performing and got a heavy dose of smoke from whatever he was burning.
If this hairstyle eventually catches on and becomes the next "man bun", I'm going to have to say something!
This woman is weaving cloth on a loom held taut by leaning backward - just like the old days.
This is a Catholic church in the town of Zinacantan a few miles from San Juan Chamula. Also inhabited by Tzotzil Myan people, but a different tribe. In fact, this church is a much more conventional Catholic church.
An outdoor restaurant at a crossroads in town.
One last 16 ounce glass of fresh squeezed orange juice for 75 cents.
San Cristobal is surrounded by mountains.
There are some seriously heavy-duty doors on the churches.
A few of the indigenous people from the surrounding area.
The most interesting cemetery we've ever seen. Most everyone appears to get a "tiny house" when they die.
We don't know why they go to such great lengths to honor their deceased, but there are some impressive tombs(??). I think this purple tombstone is very respectful, but nooooo, the Joneses had to go and build a house in the cemetery for Abuelito (Grampa). Now look what's happened!
Much easier to find someone in a cemetery this way. "Take a left at the red house on the corner and it's the first purple house you come to after the second blue house on the right".
Inside there are pictures and flowers. There's shelter and a locked door. I guess it makes sense to secure all the nice things we leave at grave sites.
There is a fountain in the middle of this impressive structure in Chiapa de Corzo.
Great boat ride through the Sumidero Canyon whose walls are up to 3000 feet tall at the highest point.
Can you say "pig looking at a wristwatch"? Uhhh. Just gimme a bag of that one there.
I know they have good coffee in the state of Chiapas, I just didn't find any.
It became apparent that with all the stairs, good beer, and great food in Mexico,
we were going to have to take exercise more seriously!
