We ate at Jose Pinguino’s last night. We were drawn in by the marimba music. Maria says these girls started playing three years ago and were awful. Not so now. They were really pretty good. One of them also is an amazing singer. The owner has studied anthropology, and taught us about mayan culture, dress and music. There was a large crowd there from the states. The leader was rude and cranky and an embarrassment. He was leading a missionary type group who came to Guatemala to volunteer their time and their service. Seems like he needs a missionary himself to teach him some Christ-like behavior. Anyway, the history lesson was great. Once again, the United States interfered in the political affairs of a nation they didn’t understand. With American help and influence, there was a huge massacre of Mayan people in the 1980s. The men had to stop wearing native dress or be killed. Even now, wearing native dress makes them unemployable. His daughter, Michelle, showed us how she wraps her native headdress. It is basically a belt that is at least 20 feet long. The end is beautifully decorated. When she finishes wrapping, it looks like a fancy hat. This is the only place I went all week without a camera. Bad idea! Maria took photos, however, and I will add hers when I get it.

After the tour group left, Jose came to our table for an individual music history lesson. He taught us about the development of the marimba, and let me play with theirs when he finished. FUN!!!! We ate a native dish with chicken rice and a red sauce. Our soup, (carrot soup that was really delicious) was decorated with cream or something on top, Maria’s had a spider web. Mine had a flower.

We are now packing up, emptying the fridge, and preparing for our trip to Antigua. I scheduled a trip to Choco Museo where we will participate in a chocolate truffle making workshop. I can’t wait!