It’s the last day at our hotel by the lake and we move on to the city of Antigua.
The internet is intermittent in the evening, however, I used a bit of ingenuity this morning and I can write a little.
I’ve had 5 days of village life. Would I like to live in that environment? I think in all honesty, I have to say No, not really, but it’s been a wonderful experience to immerse myself in village life day after day.
The villages are simple and rural. Living off the land, eating organic food and not a Mcdonalds in sight. However, they grow coffee and have embraced the coffee culture with a vengeance.
We had a meal with a local family yesterday and it was humbling. Sitting at benches set on a dirt floor amidst the chickens and the crowing roosters.The washing was on the line and a small boy 4 year played his dog. The back garden was planted with coffee plants some 10 foot high and our hostess was very excited and indeed a little nervous at having us there.
We arrived at their house in a fleet of bright red Tuk Tuks which rumble over the cobblestones and drive precariously around blind corners. Our driver had a huge sound system in the back of his vehicle and we were privy to some rather interesting music as we wove our way through the narrow streets.
Basket weaving with pine needles. Mats made from reeds and interaction with local artisans made for an inspirational day.
The women and girls dress in hand embroidered and woven clothes. They take great pride in their appearance. To see a woman in costume, with a load of wood on her head, a child on her back and carrying bags, makes my mode of transport, a shiny red car with tinted windows look good to me. I’m afraid I’m pure Australian suburban. However, that said, I appreciate and I’m in awe of the amount of work these women do. As we flew across the lake of silver waves yesterday, I marveled at being in the environment. What would it be like to live here permanently? Do the locals appreciate just how beautiful this place is?
So we leave this beautiful place, Lake Atitlan, our bags loaded with new fabric and our hearts and memories offered to the mountains.
Pam,
I was in your cheesecloth class at IQF when you mentioned your plans to travel to Guatemala. I wish I had known it was to film. My friend Deborah Chandler who has worked with Mayan Hands lives there now and has written a book on Guatemalan weavers, published by Thrum Books. She conducts tours in the area mostly for weavers but anyone interested in textiles is welcome. She was very interested to know what the film is about and who will be able to see it. I know I would love to see it myself!
Loving your photos,
Diane
The film will be on PBS in the USA and is a series called Destination Craft. I will let you all know when it airs.