The Exquisite Land of the Mayans; WCCN’s Guatemalan Study Tour
Pedro and Fabiana Yac spoke about Mayan culture and spirituality at the Iximche Ruins
Photo by Bob Esser
A house buried by a mudslide outside of San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, Photo by Tim Aldrich
Bob Esser at Lake Atitlán
By Bob Esser, WCCN Member
When I first glimpsed “Guatemala Study Tour: May 22-29, 2011” in WCCN’s newsletter, I was intrigued and added it to the review-later mail pile. I knew about Guatemala’s long history of Mayan civilization, but I also knew about the country’s unpleasant recent history, including political incompetence and greed, civil war, a panoply of natural disasters and meddling by the U.S. government spurred on by U.S. corporate interests. Fortunately, the political strife had subsided (I have to recognize, however, the potential drug battle dangers on the Mexican-Guatemalan border), and WCCN recently had begun microfinancing in Guatemala.
As a long-time WCCN supporter and investor, I understood some of what was happening in Guatemala today but wanted to know more.
A closer reading of the study tour information made me realize I had to join the group, so I contacted Christina Jennings about the procedure. I hoped the requisite number of tour participants would be reached. I was very happy -- despite some trepidation -- to learn the trip was a go, and I made the necessary preparations.
I’ll leave news of tour specifics to more capable hands and instead will give an overview of the impressive land and people. The land is not merely beautiful. The natural landscape and the cultivated areas we visited are exquisite. One exception was the area where a mudslide had wiped out numerous homes and claimed the lives of two inhabitants of a small coffee plantation. I had never before stood in an area of a recent catastrophe. To say that seeing the devastation was heart wrenching is a severe understatement.
A second exception was the noticeable lack of infrastructure and education to deal with the solid waste that plagues the modern world. People dump plastic bags and bottles, expecting them to disintegrate or wash away. Of course, the plastic doesn’t decompose and litter washed away just becomes someone else's problem. Sad to see, this also was sadly to be expected in a country of meager economic resources.
How can I describe the people of Guatemala in a way that does them justice? The men and women amazed me with their charm and endurance. I was in awe of how they articulated their beliefs and their efforts to improve their lives. Particularly memorable was the couple who shared insight into the Mayans’ ancient beliefs. The Mayans remain as connected to the spirits of the land now as they were when the first Spanish conquistadores came in search of wealth and converts. Also, I was impressed by the calm eyes and manner of the man who took us to the mudslide area and told the story of destruction. And I must note the San Lucas bar singer who lent his marvelous Guatemalan accent to the words of the Beatles and the Doors -- in addition to laying down some wonderful Guatemalan tunes.
Finally, I have to recognize my terrific gringo traveling companions. A motley group in age, background and geographic origin, we shared a common purpose for going to Guatemala: our commitment to WCCN’s social and economic goals. We left Guatemala committed to giving more assistance to the people of the exquisite land of the Mayans. We can learn from their strength and serenity. So much is gained when our hearts are opened.