Easter Weekend in Huehuetenango

We spent this last weekend at the home of Paola in Huehuetenango. Paola is a local Agros employee who is supervising our project, and has also become a dear friend. Her home, Huehuetenango, is a small city two hours west of the Ixil.

On Friday we went to see the local ruins of Zaculeu. Zaculeu was once a major culture and economical center for the Mam Mayan people.

We also saw the intricate alfombras (carpets) made of colored sawdust, pine needles and flowers, stretching nearly two miles through the streets of Huehuetenango. Every year on Good Friday, a procession representing the Death and Resurrection of Christ is paraded through the streets, following the path of the beautiful alfombras.

On Saturday we went with Paola’s family to a natural hot spring. The water was hot, but the site was overcrowded with holiday weekend visitors. It was still fun though. On Easter Sunday we visited Paola’s church where it was really nice to hear a sermon in Spanish (instead of Ixil). Paola was very proud to show off “her” Huehuetenango, family and friends. It was a wonderful weekend.