Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nebaj Language School
( 7756-0207;
www.nebaj.com/nls.html
; 3a Calle, El Descanso Bldg, Zona 1)
Affiliated with El Descanso,
this institute offers instruction in Spanish (Q600 for 20 hours per week). Combined with
accommodation with a local family, including two meals a day, two guided hikes to
nearby villages and internet use, the fee is Q1300. Instruction in the indigenous Ixil lan-
guage is another option.
You can also learn how to make regional dishes like
boxboles
(corn dough wrapped in
squash leaves, served with a spicy peanut sauce) for Q50 per hour.
Festivals & Events
Nebaj's annual
festival
, coinciding with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, runs for 10
days in mid-August.
CHAJUL'S HIDDEN MURALS
While renovating the kitchen of his ancient dwelling in Chajul, resident Lucas Ariscona made a momentous dis-
covery. Removing several layers of plaster revealed a series of murals that had probably not seen light for centur-
ies. The paintings, which cover several walls of Ariscona's home, depict some kind of procession made up of
both Spaniards and Mayas. Though they're seriously faded by sudden exposure to the elements after being con-
cealed for so long, it is still possible to make out a figure in European attire playing a drum for another character
in Maya ceremonial costume as well as a caped reveler bearing a human heart in his hand. Though Ariscona has
made efforts to preserve the murals, his resources are limited and in the smoke-filled environment of a typical
Chajul home, the rare testament to a Euro-Maya encounter faces inevitable deterioration.
Sleeping
Media Luna Medio Sol $
( 5749-7450;
www.nebaj.com/medialuna.html
; 3a Calle 6-25; dm Q35, r per person Q45; )
Nebaj's spiffi-
est hostel is around the corner from its parent organization, El Descanso, where you can
check in. Two six-bed dorms and a few private rooms share clean toilets and showers.
There's a sauna, TV lounge and kitchen facilities to keep you busy.
HOSTEL
Hotel Turansa $
HOTEL
