Nothing says bratty disrespect more than ...
We took a trip to Mesoamerica with my older brother Jeff, his wife Poppy and their daughter Madison, as they went to pick up their sister missionary at the end of her mission in Guatemala. Anna, Jacob and I had little idea what adventures were waiting for us . . . and Go Cougs.
Our first night was spent at the temple visitor housing in Guatemala City. We were told not to walk on any floors with bare feet. Guatever. Somehow we made it without any worms... that I know of...at least not yet. Not the first
Temple to be dedicated in Guatemala City (2 Nephi 5:16).
Anna, always the charmer, had these little wood-wittlers eating out of her hand, or was it the other way around? For 10 quetzales (~$1.25) each she made quick friends with them, and my brother Jeff took and developed instant pictures for them. They were delighted with the technology and with their pictures. Anna and Jake played a game of soccer with them and one boy even gave her a free wood key-chain at the end because he said she was his friend. What a heart-breaker.
Tikal is one of the most well-known and spectacular of the Mayan ruins in Mesoamerica. Deep in the jungle we climbed temples hundreds of feet high, thousands of years old and were awestruck at their architectual and astrological knowledge and ability. It would have been cool enough just to have seen the angry howler monkeys scream at each other, colorful toucans fly overhead and crocodiles swim just feet away. At one point directly between two temples in the main plaza a hand clap would produce an echo that sounded just like the call of a Quetzal bird (a revered animal to them back then and today). How did they do that?
The flintstones had nothing on these folks. Here the
Allen family is enjoying a couch in an aristocratic home. Yabadabadoo!
Some fruit slushies hit the spot after a day in the jungle.
Anna accentuating her very fine facial features outside because of the better lighting. She thinks she needs makeup: Guatever.
I still don't understand how this works better than slinging something over your back, but it has worked for these folks for centuries, so Guat.... just kidding. Pretty impressive.
What's not to love about walking through a local market: the sights, the smells, and sounds. Ancient Mayans did not use coinage for currency, rather they had a system of weights whereby they measured to trade things with, much as described in Alma. Here they still measure their goods even though they now use currency.
The pineapple was oh so tasty...
...and Jorge was glad that we enjoyed it so much.
Traditional dress, and yes, there is a little sleeping toddler on her back.
The views were spectacular. A large part of our travels were on and around mountains. For the record Jacob did not say "Guatever" once, although he is
once en espanol. Guatever.
One of the "prettiest spots" in Guatemala is a land bridge called Semuc Champey. Here the raging river dives underground for a couple miles and over the top of it is a bridge of land covered by serene and tropical pools and small falls. It was beautiful and we enjoyed the water. Of course there is spiritual symbolism to be seen everywhere:
Isaiah provides such imagery when referring to the Savior as the peaceful life-giving waters of Shiloah,
versus the raging waters of Assyria (or the world) that bring death and destruction. (Isaiah 8:6-7) If you fall in here, we'll see you in the next life. The guard has a whistle he blows at you if you get too close...trust me, I know.
This active volcano, Volcan Pacaya, which had errupted and caused considerable damage in May, was a fun climb. Literally skiing down the loose pummice may have been the best part.
Jacob made a friend on a boat ride across Lago Atitlan (thought to be the waters of Mormon by many LDS archeologists). But I digress. This traditionally dressed gentleman, Fidel Mendoza Perez, was friendly and commented on what a handsome boy Jacob was, he then petted his fuzzy blonde dome as if to punctuate his compliment. Jacob, not quite knowing what to do and not knowing very many words to do it with, smiled sweetly and said "Gracias." Classic. It still makes me chuckle everytime I think about it.
Jake and I had to get in and swim the Waters of Mormon with the Vulcan de Agua in the background. Anna was good to watch our stuff and just wade and take pictures. Easy to see why Alma said that this place was beautiful, made even more so by the beautiful experience that was had here thousands of years ago.
Mi bonita esposa.
Lots of good teaching, and bonding moments.
A very cool kid at Lake Atitlan.
Jacob preparing the next human sacrifice on an alter at Iximche--the relatively young ruins of the City of Corn, who were able to keep the Spanish at bay for a few years before being defeated.
Eating with Olga and her familia. Pass the pepto and the frioles negro, por favor.
or, pollo y tortillas in the home of amigos in Panzos.
Antigua is one of the oldest cities in Mesoamerica. Here in the ancient community laundry each stone basin drains into the sewer system.
More old buildings in Antigua.
In Guatemala City there is an archeological site dating back to 600 BC called Kaminal Juyu. Most of it has been destroyed by modern construction but it is thought to be the City of Nephi. One very important structure is curiously rectangular instead of a pyramid. After establishing the City of Nephi, Nephi built a temple after the manner of Solomon, which was rectangular in shape. The date is right, the shape is right and the location works. Could it be? We'd like to think so.
Our accomodations with a wonderful LDS family in San Lucas. If anyone is interested in an excellent Book of Mormon tour guide in Guatemala we can't recommend Sergio Navas highly enough.
Finally the trip comes to an end and we get to go home and be reunited with the other kiddos. Thanks to everyone involved who allowed this trip to happen. If this bored you to tears because of the lengthy travelog, better here than over the pulpit or....Guatever.
