Lago-Chicabel
Trip Start
May 26, 2008
1
8
23
Trip End
Sep 27, 2008
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
I was collected at 6am, and by 6.10am I was rubbing my eyes with disbelief. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me, surely one of the other five people on our tour was not wearing an Ipswich shirt? My eyes did not deceive me and to meet somebody born no more than 10 miles from home was a pleasant surprise whilst thousands of miles across the globe.
Lago Chicabel is a location of profound sacred significance to the Maya and their descendents living in the vicinity. Our guide a Mayan shamen of 60 years of age effortless strode up the mountain animatedly sharing the significance of Chicabel with us as we walked. He shared with us the impressive views of Santiaguito erupting and a tranquil overview of Chicabelīs calm waters. He then lead us down 573 steps to the water edge, where immediately he began to pray in either Mam or Kíche (two of the many regional languages of the area.)
He shared with us the symbolism of the different colours of maize. Red for day, black for night, yellow for wind and white for clouds. He then invited us to make a wish to the Gods by throwing a gift of maize into the sacred waters. As whispy light clouds drifted over the lack and descended to the water, our guide told us this was the Godīs coming to Earth. Without the permission of the Godīs it is forbidden to swim in Chicabels inviting waters. Our guide told us many stories of those who had swum in the lake and become any able to leave Chicabel or those that had swum and shortly afterwards begun to suffer insanity.
Our guide then performed a ceremony to honour day of the grandparents, the ceremony was simple and involved candles and pray in a native tongue. He conversed with the spirits who expressed their displeasure that he does not visit more often.
It was an honour to be given an insight into the historical, cultural and spiritual significance of one of the calmest, quietest places I have ever visited. To accompany this learning experience with a analytical examination of Ipswich Townīs previous season, past matches and future optimism was not what I had expected. This implausible blend of Central American culture and English obsession made a special day all the more memorable.
