Our second day in Xela began with a walk down many cobblestone streets to the cemetery. We were accompanied by my cousin Mishel, Mishel's daughter Angie, Mishel's best friend Wendi, and Wendi's son. They were all great company!
1. One of many pretty views within the cemetery.
2. The weekend prior to our arrival many flowers were left for loved ones at the cemetery,
then a few nights before we arrived a big freeze came through and all those beautiful flowers dried up.
3. The legend of Vanushka, a heartbroken Gypsy girl. Xela's own version of "Romeo and Juliet". Follow this link to the retelling of Vanushka's story.
4. One family's beautiful mausolem; reminiscent of the Roman Pantheon.
Here J-rod and I are pictured in front of the mausoleum where my Grandfather R, my Grandmother Z, my Uncle M, and other relatives on my dad's side were laid to rest.
The picture below was taken looking down from the oldest part of the cemetery to the newer sections.
As we exited the cemetery, the sign pictured above caught my attention. It reads:
"The memory of the living
Keep the deceased alive."
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Walking back from the cemetery we took a different route home so as to see more of the city. Along our walk we saw many street vendors selling everything from fresh produce to freshly picked flowers. Everything was so colorful!
Street vendors
Xela and Zippy with Angie
While walking back towards the city center, we stopped at the crest of a hill to take in the view of the city from there.
More of Xela
Throughout our explorations of Xela, my eyes were continually drawn towards the charm and beauty of the "Old World": older architecture stylings, wrought iron workings, old wooden doors, wooden window frames, ornate door knockers, and cobblestone streets. It's a kind of beauty I don't get to see much of where we live.
Wild poppies growing in the corner of an abandoned shell of a brick building:
I loved the balconies and the lion head door knocker:
Wooden window frame
One of many cobblestone streets
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After coming down the hill and back into the city center, we stopped at a small museum where a photography exhibit was on display. The beautiful photographs told the story of the recovery efforts after the horrific earthquake that devastated Guatemala in February of 1976. I was only 40 days old when it struck, so of course I don't have any memories of it, but my mom has shared many of her memories from that fateful day and the weeks that followed. For example, when the earthquake struck my mom had just finished changing me at the foot of her bed. She stood up to turn the light switch down when she felt the floor beneath her move, "like when the sand under your feet moves at the beach", then she heard the rumbling, and as she was jolted forward it so happened that I was thrown from her arms into the open closet that was in front of her and I ended up landing on a shelf full of clothes! No wonder earthquakes send me into such a PANIC! It was very touching to see through the photographs of the aftermath, the many hands from all over the world that came to the aid of those in need throughout Guatemala.
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After our visit to the museum we made our way back to El Parque Central. The streets surrounding El Parque were lined with vendors. These vendors were selling everything from textiles to food, and everything in between.
1. The booth of a basket vendor
2. The Guatemalan and Quetzaltenango Flags
3. "El Kiosko Central"in the center of the park.
Just beside the park is a beautiful cathedral:
"Iglesia del Espíritu Santo"
North of the park, a beautiful hotel:
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Later that evening, J-rod and went with Mishel and Wendi to the baptism my cousin Layton's daughter. The baptism was held at the first LDS church building in Xela, the one that my dad attended many, many, many long years ago. It was neat to be there with family for this special occasion.
1. Layton and his daughter.
2. Layton and his adorable son.
Don't you just want to pinch his cheeks?
3. Wendi and her son.
4. The chapel.
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After the baptism Mishel took us to see El Teatro Municipal, built in the Neoclassic style of many buildings found throughout Xela.
1. Zippy with another one of those beautiful old wooden doors with a lion knocker.
2. A kind gentleman, vendor of very delicious fried plantains (served with cream and/or sugar). I do not recall this gentleman's actual name. I do remember that he has sold fried plantains from his cart, on this very same corner in front of El Teatro for more than 40 years! In doing so he has become kind of an icon in this part of town. See the ladies in the background of the picture? They are having their picture taken by his cart too.) Over the years my Tio Maco came to know this gentleman and as a play on word "platano", gave him the nickname "Michel Platini" (the French futbol player).
3. J-rod and Zippy in front of the Teatro.
4. Zippy and one of the many columns of the Teatro.
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