Panamaquim

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Today we visited the Sam Clarke Memorial School in Panamaquim. The village is located high in the mountains outside of Xela. We were picked up at 8 in the morning by Clara and Ishim in two passenger vans. The ride through the mountains was amazing. We stopped half way at the highest point to view the area then continued on down the other side of the mountain and along a dirt track to the school. The village was awaiting our arrival, the place was decked out in flags and balloon and everyone was dressed in their best clothing. The play yard was set up with chairs facing a stage and we were ushered in two by two through two rows of children. Fireworks were set off as we walked and there was quite the ceremony. We sat in the sun watching many speeches and listening to the translations. Afterwards we had a lunch and then enjoyed the villagers and the festival. Boarded buses back home around 3, after a long but enjoyable day. Once back at the Casa I went out shopping for tomorrows lunch with Janet and Janice, we also bought food for the multitude of street dogs that inhabit this city. Plans to have dinner at the Blue Angel and then an early night as we are of the Takaleekabah.

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Photos

gifts for the students
getting the bags of donations ready for the Students of the school

the mountians
view at the rest stop on the way to the School

presentations
The stage with flags and balloons, the school lessons were halted for the day so the children could honour the guests from Canada

the Mayan mayor speaking
The speeches were very long and had to be translated, most were in Quiche and some in Spanish. Ishim is very talented and can speak the 3 languages so spent most of the time translating.

Sam Clarke Memorial School
Tom and Rita with the picture of Sam Clarke, their son.

traditional dance
Children perfroming the traditional dance on stage for the Canadian visitors

traditional dress
student of the school wearing the traditional clothing

Maria Jose
Here I am holding baby Maria Jose, 2nd daughter of Ishim

view from behind the school
We walked down a path to have a look over the valley behind the school. The view was amazing, it felt like being on the edge of the earth.

some of the group
over looking the edge of the world

Jason
One of the members of our group, Jason from Montreal. He studied at Algonquin to become a mason and now is applying his trade.

dancers on the field
members of the village performing a dance in the school courtyard