Maximon, Santiago
Maximon (Rilej Mam, meaning "grandfather of the people of Santiago") is a Mayan Saint (known by some as the "evil saint"). The people of Santiago think this mannequin-like wooden figure is swell, which supposedly irks the Catholic Church. Today, he smokes up a storm (he seems to switch back and forth from cigarettes to cigars), and locals give him money to ask for help, money, good health, or a good spouse.
Every year, Maximon moves to a different home in Santiago. The village's jefe selects that year's host family, and it's a great honor to be chosen (as well as a great financial boon--the host family pulls in quite a lot of cash entry fees, photo fees, and donations from locals and tourists alike).
Santiago, Panajachel, Antigua, and Copan Ruinas
May 8th 2009 Okay, so I haven't really run out of things to say. You'll be happy to hear. This is the last blog entry for this trip, though, in case you were looking for an end point. A little closure. Something like that. As you're undoubtedly an attentive sort of person, you'll note that I've attached 74 pictures. Sounds like a lot, I'm sure. However, I started with 1,487,295 (exact number), and in that cont
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The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experience... ... read more 
