Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Life on the Mountain
Guatemala's mountainous regions also happen to be the most indigenous. As a result, Maya
culture and tradition is much stronger in the mountains than on the coastal plain and in the
capital. Even in larger cities you'll see many more women (and even some men) dressed in
traditional Maya clothing, and no doubt you'll hear locals speaking in their dialect. Many
people from these regions, particularly from older generations, speak Spanish as a second
language, and some don't speak it at all.
The cold is a factor in the mountains - towns like Quetzaltenango and Todos Santos reg-
ularly register below-freezing temperatures in December. Another sight you're likely to see
is men chopping and hauling firewood, which is used for both heating and cooking in many
traditional homes.
The highlands rich volcanic soil also makes for some of the best farmland in the country.
Vegetables grown in the Western Highlands are exported as far away as Belize, while the
Cobán region has become a leading exporter of cardamom - much of it going as far away
as India and the Middle East. Many mountain-dwellers work in agriculture, either tending
small subsistence plots or working on larger commercial farms.
GETTING ALONG WITH GUATEMALANS
While Guatemalans tend to give foreigners a fair amount of leeway, at least trying to adapt to local ways is bound
to make your travels run more smoothly.
»
Even in such routine situations as entering a store or taking a bus seat, a simple greeting is often exchanged:
buenos días
or
buenas tardes
and a smile is all that's needed.
»
When leaving a restaurant, it is common to wish other diners
buen provecho
(
bon appétit
).
»
In general, the Maya are a fairly private people and some communities are still recovering from the nightmare of
the civil war. People may be willing to share their war stories, but don't dig for information - let your hosts offer it.
»
Referring to a Maya person as
indio
(Indian) is considered racist. The preferred term is
indígena
.
»
When dealing with officialdom (police, border officials, immigration officers), try to appear as conservative and
respectable as possible.
»
Dress modestly when entering churches or attending family gatherings.
