Traditional women of San Pedro La Laguna with the not-so traditional younger generation
Dates visited: March 30, 2015
San Pedro La Laguna, called Tz’unun Ya’ (means Place of the Humming Birds) in Tz’utujil, is a rustic Mayan village on the shores of Lago de Atitlán (Lake Atitlán). We got here by a boat from another Mayan village, San Juan La Laguna. This was a whirlwind trip, across Lake Atitlán, of three Mayan villages (other two being San Juan La Laguna and Santiago Atitlán) so Prachi was nervous about her seasickness acting up. She had her partners-in-crime for company—”seasick wrist bands” and ginger candy. We had reached San Juan La Laguna without any incident of sea sickness so Prachi was glad to survive the first leg. The boat ride to San Pedro La Laguna was no different. 2 down, 1 to go. Phew! Our plan was to return to Panajachel by early afternoon as xocomil (means “the wind that carried away sin” in Kaqchickel language) that blows in at that time makes the waters very rough.
San Pedro La Laguna, is larger than San Juan La Laguna, but just as quiet and authentic. We spent about an hour here walking through the town, watching people go about their daily chores. It was a typical day for them. Volcano San Pedro looms large over this village so a lot of tourists come here to hike up the mountain. I was content admiring the volcano from down below as we had to return to Panajachel before the lake got rough.
The men and women wore their traditional Mayan clothes with patterns and designs unique to their village. It was just a different experience and I relished every moment of it knowing this isn’t a culture I was going to see back home. It was fun strolling through the streets and seeing houses decked with Easter decorations. The newest building here is the out-of-place but beautiful First Baptist Church that offers an awesome view of the village as well as Lake Atitlán. This building, in addition to a church, houses a Christian radio station and a hospital. I highly recommend going up to the terrace for a fantastic panoramic view.
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- The ramp leading up to the village… …from the boating dock
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- Church of St. Peter… …decorated for Easter
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- Walking through the village
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- Rohan with our guide and a chicken bus
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- She dribbles like a girl, and can put any boy to shame!
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- La Nariz del Indio (Rostro Maya)—mountain named after its resemblance to a Mayan’s profile with a prominent nose
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- Newly built First Baptist Church
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- Worm’s eye view of First Baptist Church
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- View of the village
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- A local radio station… …radio jockey smiling during a commercial break
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- Market street
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- Lake Atitlán in the background
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- Alley leading to First Baptist Church
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- Walking through the interior streets
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- Boat dock to get to the next village—Santiago Atitlán