Lake+Atitlan

This picturesque lake, is a volcanc caldera caused by an enormous eruption 84,000 years ago. It has been described as the most beautiful in the world – a title others may dispute – but it is certainly very scenic. Over 340m deep and 130sq.kms in size, it has three volcanoes on the southern shore and a number of villages scattered along its steep hillsides. This area was badly effected during the civil war with many atrocities carried out by the military as the Mayan villagers were considered communist as they supported the agrarian reforms (for good reason obviously). A number of local priests were kidnapped and murdered and churches, crops and villages burnt. We visited the markets at Santiago Antigua which necessitated a 40 minutes ride across the lake. Another busy market mostly for locals but with handicrafts and the ever-present children hawking goods. In Santiago we also visited a most unusual shrine in a Mayan house. A strange mixture of Catholicism and Mayan religion has adherents paying homage to a “saint” Maximon. An effigy of Maximon wearing a tie, hat, smoking a cigar and with money hanging from his pockets is “protected” by a number of members of the “brotherhood” who take your donation (obligatory) and spend their days eating and drinking beer in the dark smoky room whilst the believers prostrate themselves in front on Maximon, light candles and incense, and ask for his blessings. We were told that they can ask for good or bad blessings or “miracles”. Quite interesting but not uncommon here this mix of religions.
 * LAKE ATITLAN**
 * [[image:Lake9.jpg align="center"]] || [[image:Lake1.jpg align="center"]] ||
 * [[image:Lake8.jpg]] || [[image:Lake7.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:Lake6.jpg]] || [[image:Lake5.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:Lake4.jpg]] || [[image:Lake3.jpg]] ||
 * [[image:Lake2.jpg]] || [[image:Lake.jpg]] ||