Guatemala

In late August 2016 we were in Guatemala for about a week.  If you want to see really good photography on Mexico City, Guatemala and the Caribbean you might want to visit my partner’s blog Murray Foote.  This one is more about dolls and I’m not claiming to be much of a photographer.

Guatemala is a magical place, although probably summer is not the best time to visit.  The advantage was that we were the only guests at the time.  The El Sombrero Ecolodge is delightful, and it is a short car ride away from the Mayan site of Yaxha.  Naturally there weren’t many dolls to be found at the Lodge, but the sunsets were great, and Tikal and Yaxha are amazing.

Sunset over Yaxha Lagoon

El Sombrero Ecolodge is located in the Yaxha Lagoon in the Yaxha-Nakum- Naranjo National Park in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve in Peten, Guatemala. It is only one hour drive from Tikal and Flores and 30 minutes from the Belize Border.

http://www.elsombreroecolodge.com/

Part of the Mayan complex at Tikal – just to set the scene

At Tikal there were plenty of Mayan dolls for sale to tourists.  We were approached by a local Mayan guide who asked if we wanted to hire him (sadly no, we didn’t).  However, he told an interesting story.  Anyone who visits Tikal is required to make a sacrifice, as it is a sacred site (and he was not referring to money here).  I believed him, the place is a huge site and totally awe-inspiring.

Little dolls made from dried corn leaves

Corn doll seller, Tikal

This lady had set up her stall a bit away from the main tourist shops which sold all the usual stuff, as well as the rag dolls common everywhere.