The Mayans are Back

The lovely Francis had recommended the Mayan Cultural to a couple departing from Monkey Bay.  While I thought this was just a museum and a "touristy" stop, I did not demonstrate much interest. It was Sunday and I truly had just one focus: Church.  
In one short hour, the driver and my other friend, "The happy lion-Samba" jump off and give me a big hug and say their good byes. Samba is seriously the happiest and most innocent man with a heart of gold.  

Warning: These people are hard to find so when you see one make sure to spend time with them and give them nice care.  

It is one of those moments where I am watching the bus pull away with both of us waiving until the very end. What's that expression, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Well, I got news for you- it definitely is!

Of course I had to stop in the center and check it out. I also had to ask the bus arrival time for my second bus departing across the street. The women told me the direct bus would come in 3 hours or the bus that makes unlimited stops comes in an hour.  It was a no brainer- I was staying at the Mayan Centre and taking a look around. Boy am I glad  I did!

It's wonderful how you can just enter into someones creative space and take part in their spirit and creative energy. They make each movement appear to be so simple and so still.  I stood watching from above all the creativity that was placed right in front of me. When one engages in an activity over and over for perhaps a lifetime, it loses it's charm.  To an outsider, that charm still exists and that charm leads to appreciation. When there are these moments of appreciation it also brings participation. I was interested in trying out their natural craft. 

It's important to try out the natural craft of others and show that you are flawed.  This reconfirms to them that they are skilled. 
When you lead a Westernized living, it's good to be humble and show you're imperfect, flawed, and a person who wants to learn. PRIS

With a few minutes of pulling the strings, I was slowly catching on and enjoying it. When they took over, they moved twice as fast. I smiled acknowledging their amazing work. They said they are so used to making all these natural craft items that they could do it blindfolded. I would imagine this to be the case with the mastering of this craft.  

Nevertheless, I was so wrapped up in my time with them that church slipped my mind. I asked where I could find the local service. They pointed me right next door and I had some anxiety because I did not want to be late.  Keep in mind this is a small service in the middle of a small forest- not St. Patrick's Cathedral in a big city.  

I went running down the paved road(ladies laughing and shaking their heads) and I ask the guy selling chickens, "Where is the church?" He points behind him to a small, cute shack in the shape of a cathedral.

Priscilla, "Wow I love this simplicity. This will be great."

Bright Colors Spreading Love

Many Latin American countries love COLOR! Not just any color rather they love BRIGHT COLOR and Guatemala is one of these countries. When they create, they use a wide range of colors, but many are bright shades of pink, purple, orange, yellow, green, etc.  They weave different colors together in threes and often I sit on the street just watching them with admiration-a bit like a proud mother.  It's one of the most beautiful sights watching someone engage in their craft.  

It's interesting that these women choose such similar yet different patterns for items.  One bag may have one pattern of stripes and the top may have a flowers and a new pattern.  I always wonder how they choose their specific patterns for quilts, bags, clothes, shoes, etc.  

The color choice always seems to be bright giving a sense of joy in the item.  It's a nice feeling to have something colorful and I believe colors contribute towards our mood state.  Those who wear color have a tendency to be happier and brighter people-people whose spirit just shines a bit more.  

Colors can positively impact our mood without us even being conscious of the meaning or impact. We can choose certain colors based on our mood and many of those in a Spanish culture like bright colors due to their internal happiness.  This would be from my experience and the many people I have met and know from Central and South American.  

Here are some examples of the beautiful work: 

Cuanto Cuesta?

When you ask a person, “How much is it?” in Panajachel, Guatemala.  The price is not final and there is some room for negotiation depending on the product. All vendors are dressed traditionally in their Mayan clothing, which includes a traditional skirt and a square over sized top with a belt.  Everything they wear is full of color including their head band, belt, top, and skirt. The men wear tribal pants, an apron looking skirt, and a long sleeved button down top with tribal colored pattern.  Everything they are wearing they are usually selling.  When they are selling an item, they are willing to negotiate, but what is interesting is there explanation of the origin of the product. They give you background stories on the item and always tell you the amount of time it took to make.  For example, mi amiga Ana selling a traditional Mayan shirt says that it took 6 months to hand weave the knit woven shirt.  They use many different colors when sewing producing weaves of beauty.  It is easy to believe that this cost 300 Quetzal because it took 6 months to make. 

Also, another vendor pointed out the time spent painting a handmade ceramic cross. He pointed out the detailing used when painting the various colors. When you buy something from Guatemala, it can be made my machine or made by hand.  When it’s made by hand, the price is more expensive and the quality is priceless.  One woman who had been coming to Guatemala for years said that she always buys everything hand made and she has never had one item fall apart, rip, or tear.  It seems to be very clear with the quality of work and the quantity of time.