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Published: December 31st 2008
We arrived to San Cristobal on Saturday, December 27th.
San Cristobal is an old colonial town situated in a high mountain valley in the Chiapas highlands.
As an old colonial town, it is not the best place to try and maneuver a bus, least not in reverse. After all, the roads were built for horses (note the pics).
We made our way to the historic center of town, found a place to park the van, and walked to find a hotel. The first half dozen or so hotels were fully booked until mid-January and we started to become a bit nervous. In the end we found a room at Posada Tepeyac located a short walk to the pedestrian walkways, parks, markets, restaurants, churches and museums.
San Cristobal was everything we expected; beautiful, clean, friendly, and many things to see and do.
We spent our days walking around town visiting the area museums and taking in the local sights.
The Jade Museum features reproduction pieces from pre-Hispanic indigenous cultures. The museum also features a fine collection of jade figurines and jewelry for sale, although some of the necklaces reminded us of something Wilma
Leila; San Cristobal
My crazy new sweater.
Absolutely love it and laugh every time I wear it!Flintstone would wear.
The museum of Popular Culture portrays the traditional clothing and customs of local indigenous communities.
The Museum of Highland Chiapas is housed in the ex-convent of Santo Domingo. This museum has informative exhibits regarding Pre-Hispanic and Colonial Highland Chiapas from the area in and around San Cristobal.
The Museum of Amber portrays to visitors the history and significance of amber locally, regionally and globally. Collections include figurines and jewelry made from amber. Again some of the necklaces reminded us of something Wilma Flintstone would wear.
The Coffee Museum was rather small and unimpressive.
Na Bolom is a museum, store, garden and restaurant with rooms for rent, it functions as a cultural education center, and was founded by Frans Blom, who contributed significant understandings about Maya history and culture. The collection and exhibits are expansive and impressive with pre-Hispanic, Colonial and Modern Era pieces.
The Museum of Maya Medicine was informative and insightful. The exhibits are lifesize displays that portray medicinal, spiritual and cultural aspects of the modern Maya. Included in the exhibits were explanations regarding illness and healing, childbirth, the interconnectedness of secular and sacred
Calvarios Temple
it was a hermitage life, and medicinal plants used to prevent and treat ailments.
All of the churches, parks, and squares we have visited are well maintained, obviously cared for, inspiring and beautiful.
It is New Years Eve, and our thirteenth anniversary. Tonight we have tickets to see 'Palenque Rojo´ a theatrical production about the life of a pre-Hispanic Mayan governor from the ancient city of Palenque. After the show we are going to go for dinner and drinks. We have been told that also tonight there may be fireworks at the main square and possibly that the Zapatistas may march into the city (this is also their anniversary).
We have been in San Cristobal for five days and although it is an absolutely charming city we will leave the day after tomorrow. San Cristobal has been wonderful and we recommend this as a definate place to visit. From San Cristobal we will go to Comitan, still in Chiapas, and then into Guatemala.
Happy New Year to all of our friends and family! And, Happy Anniversary to us and the Zapatistas!
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Marmie
non-member comment
Happy New Year!
Well, it's a whole new year... Can't wait to see what 2009 will bring. Happy Travels, and Happy New Year! P.S. That sweater is SO you Leila!!!