For the past few days, we hung out in a small town called Chijoj, to visit some of Hubs' friends. We spent Thanksgiving with some missionaries there. It was a great meal and some good fellowship. One girl who was my age had just married into missionary life and relocated from Switzerland. It's one thing to be an American and relocate to Guatemala... probably an entirely different thing to be a Swiss marrying an American and relocating to Guatemala. Talk about culture clash. We also got to talk with a couple from South Africa and of course, people from the States. It was good to be with English-speaking people again.
Chijoj is just past a town (more likely to be on a map) called Canilla (cah-nee-ya). It's not a touristy place at all, with nary a claim to fame. However I enjoyed seeing the local agriculture and businesses.
Chijoj is just past a town (more likely to be on a map) called Canilla (cah-nee-ya). It's not a touristy place at all, with nary a claim to fame. However I enjoyed seeing the local agriculture and businesses.
A brick factory.
A pig family.
Many farm animals in Chijoj walk around free range. Not just the chickens, either! Pigs, cows, sheep, goats and geese walk alongside the road and in people's yards. Some have leashes, but some just roam.
We saw a bit of new construction also. Construction in Guatemala is a little different than the way we build things at home. There is a lot of cement or brick involved.
We saw a bit of new construction also. Construction in Guatemala is a little different than the way we build things at home. There is a lot of cement or brick involved.
An older house. Time for some new ones!
Mixing cement: no truck needed!
In addition to a brick factory, cows, and new construction, Chijoj has its own set of Mayan ruins.
Another one of the highlights was trying my hand at making corn tortillas. Unfortunately, I learned that my hand was not skilled at making tortillas. I told the cook, "Neccesito practicar." I can't wait to try corn tortillas at home- the only ingredients are corn flour, water, and limestone. The corn tortillas here are SO much better than packaged corn tortillas in the states, plus they don't require rolling pins or extra flour. Just dip your fingers in water and shape with your hands. A common sound here in Guatemala is the pat pat pat pat pat of women shaping tortillas.
Thankfully we're now in Chichicastenango, staying with Hubs' sister who has internet. Yay!
-Bethany
-Bethany
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