San Simon: Cigarettes, Sunglasses and Bandana

Trip Start Jul 04, 2010
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124
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Trip End May 10, 2011


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Flag of Guatemala  ,
Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Local Woman and Child on Zunil Bus
Local Woman and Child on Zunil Bus
The school, eating, study and outing activities are becoming a routine. This week, the class size grows to about 25. It is getting crowded at the school. Dave is trying hard at school but by the 5th hour of class, his brain is smoldering. Michelle's routine is read and write emails and Skype before joining Magaly, or her helper, on shopping outings. We usually meet about 1:15 and chat until our midday meal is served between 1:30 and 2:00. After lunch, Dave studies with his flash cards or homework assignments. On days without a class outing, we usually take time for a game of cards.





San Simon in Zunil
San Simon in Zunil
We went to Zunil with a class group to see the legendary San Simon in Zunil, a town 30 minutes from Xela with a population of 10,000. First, we visited a women's cooperative there and Michelle bought an intricately woven 2.5 meter long headband. The kind local indigenous women wear.

After a quick walk in and around the church at the edge of the town square, we went in search of the fabled San Simon.

San Simon is a blend of Mayan and Christian beliefs and worshipers come for miles to see him. San Simon is moved to a new house in town every year so we have to ask around to find the house containing this propped up cigarette smoking doll with sunglasses and a bandana around his chin.

Once we get in the house with San Simon, we lit candles; blue for travel, yellow for health, green for money, red for love. On the roof, we watched a devotee carefully stack leaves, cookies, different color candles, cigarettes and surround the pile with a strip of sugar before lighting the offering on fire. He stepped back and began a prayer in the Quiche language. He took a picture of us with his cell phone and welcomed us to take pictures of him doing his ceremony.
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