Guatemala is a cultural treasure filled with history and beauty

By Jerry Vaughn, Travel Talk

By Jerry Vaughn, Travel Talk

Guatemala is a small country that is lush and mountainous and is graced with beautiful scenery, a rich indigenous culture, colonial history and important archaeological ruins.

I previously traveled to Guatemala regularly on business and always made it a point to stay at the Camino Real in the heart of Guatemala City because of its central location and easy access.

You could often see the orange glow of the Pacaya Volcano at night far off in the distance. A major highlight of my trips was always the Sunday market in Antigua, the ancient capital of Guatemala. I was constantly amazed at the beautiful clothing and blankets handspun by the native people as well as jewelry and other items with strong local flavor. The “Worry Dolls” I would bring back were always a hit with my daughters.

The most enjoyable part, however, was watching and interacting with the young kids who would negotiate prices for the goods their families had brought to the market. Their ability to fluently speak their native Mayan dialect, Spanish and English was amazing. Most impressive, however, were their math skills. They could calculate exchange rates quickly and efficiently. I’m sure they used their cuteness to their advantage in the negotiations, but I never really minded. I’m equally sure I probably overpaid since I am a graduate of the Jimmy Buffet school of “Math Suks!” Admittedly, I had a hard time keeping up in the negotiations with the kids. The native people have a very rich, creative and colorful culture that is really something to experience.

Guatemala lies at the heart of the Mayan culture in Central America with remarkable Mayan sites scattered throughout the land, none more so than the magnificent ruins of the ancient city of Tikal, set deep within the jungle. El Petén, in Guatemala’s humid lowlands, is the site of the more than 8,000-square-mile Maya Biosphere Reserve, home to Yaxhá, the ancient Maya city and Tikal. Guatemala City, the country’s capital, is by far the largest in the country. The city is located in a large valley dominated by the Agua Volcano.

The Mayan villages of the highlands are spread amid the breathtaking scenery of smoking volcanoes and spectacular lakes, where ancient customs and traditions persist despite five centuries of European domination. Their culture is expressed through vibrant weekly markets, bright traditional clothing, fabulous handicrafts, different languages and colorful religious festivals.

Lake Atitlán, situated in the Solola District, ranks as one of the world’s most scenic. The misty blue water unfolds against a backdrop of three 10,000-foot volcanoes: Toliman, Atitlán, and San Pedro. Created by a massive volcanic eruption 85,000 years ago, the lake, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Guatemala City or Antigua, stretches 12 miles long and 6 miles wide with depths reaching over 1,000 feet.

Guatemalan society is split between the traditional and the modern, each following their own path in a country sprinkled with remnants of a colonial past. Nowhere is the Spanish legacy more evident than in Antigua with its cobbled streets, plazas and elegant fountains, and towering volcanoes as a backdrop. Interrelations between the Spanish and the native population produced a mixed population, the Ladinos, who have embraced their European heritage and are typically city folk. One of my goals was to spend eight weeks there in a Spanish immersion program to hone my Spanish language skills. Unfortunately, that was an unfulfilled goal for me.

A rough past provides a troublesome background to the country and its people. Inequalities between the Spanish-speaking Indians and indigenous cultures, and the rich and poor, have been a source of tension and discord throughout the years. The violence caused by political differences has left thousands dead, while the devastation caused by earthquakes has left people homeless and in need of world aid.

Despite this, you are drawn to the intriguing mix of cultures and history set amid dramatic scenery, with extremely considerate people to show you the sights that Guatemalans are justifiably proud of.

Jerry Vaughn is president of World Voyager Vacations in Federal Way and can be reached at jvaughn@worldvoyagervacations.com.