Just checking in

It has been a long time since I have posted. Sorry about that folks. I believe the dog, Miss Ziva, el monstro for short, has taken all of my time. Alas, I have been working. I did make a trip to San Cristobal for the first time since 1988! Wow, has that place taken a big change. Since then, tourist have found the place in a big way. I was told in 1992, during the civil war, tourist started coming to support the local indigenous groups. Now, there are two walking streets with stores and restaurants galore.  San Cristobal is a very cold place, all year around you are wearing coats and building fires at night. The surrounding mountains are breathtaking. There are so many hotels it is crazy, there used to be two. I stayed at the best hostel, cheap rooms, breakfast included, and kitchen you can use if that is your style. Sorry, can't find the photos. 
Here are some photos of a Guadalupe procession.  Dancers and religious folk.

Isn't  he  cute. Jaguar dancer in the procession.

These guys marched down the street with fireworks being set off in front of them.  Just like in Guatemala. San Cris is a big mixture of Guatemala and Mexico. I would move there tomorrow fs it were not for the cold and wet weather.  Wee bit miserable, I remember passing there every 3 months back in the old days. Always wanting to do nothing but sit by the fireplace.
I was so much better this trip. There was so much to do and to buy!  Thanks to my friend Rosina who has been there for years. She started all of those cotton blouses with the embroidery. There is a reason they look so much like Afghanistan  peasant wear, she started the first ones 20+ years ago. Notice the sleeve construction, not Mexican at all, but very European. Then, as time passed a few slight changes, few more gringas gave some ideas for business. Yes folks, those Mexican blouses are not traditional Mexican wear. The huipil construction is. I got some of those, too.

Caught these pilgrims in this beautiful church on the main square.  Very peaceful place.

I spent most of my hours in the market. Here is another church which resides there.  It has a double headed Eagle on the church front,  just like in so many Guatemalan weaving.  Back in 1988, I remember almost no crafts to buy.  A few women walked around with one style of textile. Hammocks and woven market bags were just about it. Now, quite a different story, look at all those puestos!  Not as big as Chichi, still a maze to get through. I bought tons of beautiful blouses, both the European and huipil style with embroidery. Found leather handbags, nice thick leather like the ones I used want to own in the 70's.  From my research, these always came from this region.  I never had seen them in all of my trips to San Cris back then. Maybe they were from the lower lands.
Off to Taxco in two weeks. Silver! oh, how I love to buy silver.