This is Not the Ancient Civilization You Are Looking For...

Did you know that 50% of the Guatemalan population is indigenous Maya? Considering that about only 1% of the American population is American Indian, the number is quite astounding. First, a brief history lesson.

• Spanish conquistadors discovered Guatemalan Maya in the early 1500s.
• Mayas are estimated to have inhabited Guatemala since before Christ. 
• The Maya had ear gauges (true story). See below.

• The Maya had a system of hieroglyphic writing.
• Mayan religion featured numerous deities (polytheism).
• There are 21 Mayan languages in Guatemala.
• The Maya used a highly advanced system of mathematics, astronomy, and astrology. 
• Their culture used hundreds of different calendars for all purposes (the 2013 calendar had something to do with very advanced astrology). See below.

• Quichés and Cakchiquels are the dominate Maya groups near Antigua.
• A majority of victims during the 1960 – 1996 genocide were indigenous Maya. 
• The Maya are HIGHLY discriminated against in modern society. See below.

Due to discrimination today many Maya lack opportunities. These opportunities include quality education, understanding of nutrition, health, and wellness, jobs, and socioeconomic advancement. For example, many Maya will feed their children a harsh diet of beans, rice, tortillas, and coffee. This poor diet negatively affects physical and mental development in children. But how can this people group know? They are in poverty, lacking education, and trying to survive on what little means they have. These starchy foods are cheap and sustain life. Lack of opportunities continues to perpetuate the poverty cycle that exists amongst a majority of Mayan families.

The tiniest plane ever. I am sitting in the back.

Last Sunday we flew to Tikal in the tiniest flying bus, er, I mean plane. It was brilliant to witness the ruins of Tikal and understand the level of advancement and development the Maya had achieved prior to colonization. Only 20% of the entire complex of Mayan ruins have been excavated and restored in Tikal. The jungle surrounding Tikal literally is covering the remaining ruins.

The more I learn about Guatemala, the more I love the Land of Eternal Spring. I am (once again), very thankful to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program for funding my semester abroad. Please click on the scholarship link on the left of the page to learn more about how Gilman can help you experience studying abroad.

Muchas Gracias!

A Mayan Temple. Abandoned around 900 A.D.

The Jaguar Temple up close and personal.

Me searching for droids, battleships, and Luke Skywalker.
A scene from Star Wars was filmed in this very spot!  

Have a question? Please ask me in the comment section of this blog post. Thanks for reading! :)

So Many Injustices, So Little Me

This weekend we spent a few days in the capital, Guatemala City. My head is spinning with the statistics of the various human rights abuses and injustices occurring in this nation. I began reading Bitter Fruit: The Story of the American Coup in Guatemala this week. We also watched When the Mountains Tremble; a documentary about the war here. Each time I learn of a new genocide backed, funded, and prolonged by the U.S. I cringe and despise Capitalism that much more. For those of you who may be unaware (which I was prior to coming here) from 1960 to 1996 there was a “civil war” in which 200,000 Guatemalans were murdered, 50,000 disappeared, 1 million displaced, and countless women raped. A vast majority of victims were Mayan indigenous.

After taking a tour through the presidential palace, which in no longer occupied, we exited into a small group of women peacefully protesting with flowers. They informed us that over the past month 31 women, including 4 children, were murdered in Guatemala. Their only crime: their gender. These women were rallying for justice against domestic violence, abuse, and exploitation of women. See photos below.

While exiting the city we also drove by slums awkwardly positioned on the side of a steep valley.

Where do I even begin?

On a lighter note, Aaron and I were able to participate in a few Mayan traditions and ride a tuk tuk to our internship. Check out the photos below.

Catedral Metropolitana built in 1815.

The biggest Guatemalan flag flying outside of the National Palace.

Peaceful protest for justice for women outside of the National Palace.

The National Palace.

Tuk Tuks!
I do not own this photo. All rights belong to the owner.

Basket carrying like a boss!

Mayan Bride!

Making tortillas.

Have a question? Please ask me in the comment section of this blog post. Thanks for reading! :)