Diario las Américas., 1958-06-13
Know thy
Neigh-bolI!!
4~uy.es. Six
BY ANTONIO RUIZ

GUATEMALA (Continued) =
Also at a short distance from Chi
chicastenango, two hours by auto
mobile, is Najuala, n of the
most interesting Indian villages of
the country, which until recently
did not permit the sale of liquor
within its limits. The costumes
Of both men and women are most
picturesque. The place is noted for
the manufacture of "metates" or
stones on which corn is ground to
make "tortillaS." The scenery Of
this trip borders on the spectacu-
lar, and is highly recommended to
those who wish to see something
really different. The Indians of
this town do not wish to nave
white men remain overnight in the
village.
Also very interesting are To-
tonicapan, a thriving Indian in
dustrial town. Pottery made here
is carried to the remotest corners
OF the country. 1t is also a textile
center, where every home has its
old fashioned foot-loom. 1t has sui
phur baths, where men, women
and children battle together; Solo
Ia, interesting native town, with
market on Friday, which is spe-
cially interesting since it is held
on a field overlooking Lake Att
tlan, located $500 feet below. The
costumes of the men are distinc-
tive and very picturesque.
From Solola it is only a short
run, down a winding mountain
road, with gorgeous views of the
lake and past waterfalls to Lake
Atitlan, which has been described
by several persons as more beau
tiful than Lake Como in Italy. 1t is
a lake of constantly changing CO.
lors, lapis lazuli, emerald, azure,
shutin by purple highlands, olive
green mountains and lofty vol
canoS.
There are a dozen or more in
teresting villages that lie on or
near the shores of Lake Atitlan,
which are very interesting to ex-
plore. San Antonio Patopo, San
Lucas Toliman, Santiago Atitlan,
across the lake, with its pictures
que homes and women in bright
red skirts; San Pablo, in a pictures
que setting at the foot of the vol
cano, where beautiful bags and
hammocks are made from sisal
hemp; Santa Catarina Palopo,
where mats are made from reeds
that grow on the shore of the
lake; these and many other in
teresting points around Lake Att
tlan, can be reached in one day
from Chichicastenango.
Another interesting trip is to
Momostenango, three and a half
hours by automobile, n of the
chief blanket weaving centers of
the country, There is a peculiar
soil formation on the outskirts of
the village, which is similar to
Bryce Canyon. The feast of the
"Uaxacquip Bats" or FESTIVAL of
the Eighth Monkey" is celebrated
every 26O days by the ancient May
an calendar. Frequent masked dan
ces are also to be seen.
On the way to Momostenango is
San Cristobal, where franciscan
friars built mi of their best crur-
ches. The silver lamps, affairs and
screens, all hand-hammered, and
the Venetian glass affairs are all
worth seeing. San Cristobal is not
ed for textiles, many of which are
distributed throughout the coun-
try. The masks and costumes worn
by the Indians at their native dan.
ces are made here and rented out
for the ~"fiestas."
Not far from there, is Quezalte-
mango, the second largest city in
Guatemala. 1t is a modern city,
but with much more of the old
Spanish colonial than will be found
elsewhere. The market is one of
the most interesting in the coun-
try, with the largest asortmen of
purely Indians handicrafts. The
colorful skirts of the native women
are unique, and contain many
yards of material.