Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE
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PALACIO MUNICIPAL
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OF OLD GUATEMALA
On reaching the summit of a high hill, after zig-zagging higher and higher among the
strong-smelling fir trees, I beheld one of those sights that will always live in my memory. Far
below at our feet Lake Atitlan came into view. Its mirror-like surface of a deep blue reflected
thesurroundingmountainsandthesnow-whitecloudsthatlookedlikehugeairships.Thelake
is more than 4,500 feet above sea level, and rivals anything Switzerland has to offer.
After having admired this beautiful panorama for a while we followed a good but steep
trail down. At times we were under shady fir trees, then among high grass and sweet-scented
flowers, or, again, we were bordering giddy precipices, the walls of which rose perpendicu-
larly from the forest below near the lake. A German owned a small hotel beside the lake, and
as there was an abundance of excellent fodder, I stayed there two days to give the horses a
treat. Every day I took them to the lake, where we bathed and enjoyed ourselves like three be-
ings of the same flesh and blood. Around the lake are several Indian villages, while American
Evangelists have a missionary station on the very beach, near a village called Tzanjuyu. What
on earth they want to teach these peaceful, industrious and exceedingly happy Indians is more
than I can understand.
Butfewmortalslivesoeasyand'soft'alifeasthesemissionariesdointheirneat,imported
bungalows. They have all kinds of luxuries, including two motor launches with which they
skim over the crystal-clear lake, fishing and enjoying themselves. The Indians take next to
no notice of them, excepting when a feast and free feed are promised them and, I am told,
sometimes even money. On these occasions photographs are taken, to show the well-meaning
supporters abroad how the 'savages' flock to their new spiritual leaders for 'food'.
