Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The next two journeys were delightful. In parts we followed a good road, and then again an
excellenttrail.Firandeucalyptustreesgreweverywhere,andfinecornfieldswavedinthecool
breeze. Hereabouts live numerous Indian farmers. Many of them passed us along the road,
carrying loads of fruit, vegetables, pottery, etc., to the distant markets. The men wear short
aprons, made of wool, all of which are of the same black and white check design. Under these
aprons they wear short trousers that barely reach to their knees. The costumes of the women
vary in colour, but I observed that when several women came along the road together the col-
ouroftheirdresseswasusuallyidentical.IsawsomeveryfinetypesamongtheseIndians.The
men are usually of splendid physique, but the women seem to be rather small around the hips.
The language in this part is Kachikel, but the majority of the natives speak Spanish fluently.
White men among them are known as
ladinos
(i.e. 'clever').
