Honduras- There is an app for this!

We are here in Copan Honduras and are straddling two very different worlds, the iPhone world at my fingertips and the entire town outside that is humming with generators due a power outage. No power is expected until late evening, if that. To provide all our loving fans at home more up to the minute posts of our wanderings I have downloaded an app on my iPhone so we can post from our favorite toy.

Guatemala~ Maximon~ The Smoking Drinking God

Here's one God I wanted to find out more about, he loves to smoke cigars, drink whiskey and enjoys glitz and blazing offerings. In the highlands of Guatemala he is a favorite Mayan deity. He seems to be a deity morphed from Maya gods, catholic saints, and Spanish conquistadors; needless to say the catholic church is not too keen on his popularity.

Each village has their own effigy of Maximon which is hosted by a different Mayan family each year, either in their home or nearby church. Villagers seek out Maximon's help in times of need whether it be poor health, love lost or found, a better crop, or a nasty enemy that needs a hex. Different colored candles indicate the different needs, the black candles are for the hex's.

Enterprising vendors are always there to help facilitate all your offering needs. You can even buy a Maximon effigy for yourself but only one is the official Maximon in the village.

Outside the church offerings are assembled with candles, cigars, whiskey, coke, candy, and a generous sprinkling of sugar before being ignited. At that point the shaman and family pray, sing and dance around the offering. Once the ritual is completed the host shaman is paid for his efforts and the safe keeping of Maximon which of course includes the side benefits of drinking the whiskey and smoking the cigars.

Guatemala~Weekend in the Park

Since we have been serious ‘estudiantes’ our playtime has been limited to the weekends. Here in Antigua it is springtime in November and similar to June in the states there are lots of weddings, fiestas, and weekend markets.

The Parque Central is party central with lots of photo opportunities.

Our favorites: Architectural details, kids, colorful Mayan women, brides in ruins, Ronald McDonald, fun sculpture, confusing contemporary images of Jesus and of course we assumed it was his large foot with the nail in it. Now as we are approaching Christmas the decorations are starting to appear, don’t throw away that old tire just add some silver paint and an old wine bottle and hang it on the front door. Be the envy of all your neighbors.