Arriving in San Cristobal after 3 flights and a bus from Tuxtla Gutierrez was definitely a relief. The night hour was hiding the beauty of the mountains that surround this unique place. Here’s a view from the Posada (small hotel-like place that feels more like a home) where my room was located: (Click for larger images)
San Cristobal - Templo de los Mexicanos
When you wake up on a Sunday in San Cristobal, first make sure you can speak Spanish, then go to the San Francisco church square to get fresh tamales (Breakfast-Lunch item deliciously cooked inside a corn leaf, and seems to be only good when still hot), then try to take a trip up to the neighboring pueblos that host large communities of Tzotzil and Tzeltal indigenous Mexicans.
Taking photos in those pueblos is really frowned upon so the portfolio is limited.
Posh is the local alcohol, and the religion is “Traditional Catholicism”, which seems to allow for polygamy. Banished indigenous people who have changed their religion live in San Cristobal, usually selling hand-made crafts.
Some fun facts (and some photos):
- On August 8, fireworks start at 6 a.m. to celebrate Emiliano Zapata’s birthday
- In the main square, there seems to be a permanent set-up for the local socialist party …
FNLS Sitting
- … and local bars are themed after revolutionary and Zapatista feelings
Revolucion
- Mole is not really a chocolate sauce, but more of a “stew” way of preparing food
Mole -- Delicious!!
- Many street have dates as names. Examples include “20 de Noviembre”, “28 de Agosto”, and “5 de Mayo”
- Walls in San Cristobal are alive with the colored paint:
- Lighting fireworks is really spread out activity in Zinacantan, such as before mass on Sunday, where people dress in colorful traditional clothes.
Zinacantan Fireworks
Zinacantan Sunday clothing
- Hand-made wool items are usually rectangular, due to the process used
Wool
- Corn comes in more than just a few colors
4 Corn Cobs
The 2 days and 2 nights in San Cristobal de las Casas were overall an excellent experience of a very unique place.. Next stop was Palenque (The ruins, and Palenque the town)… TBC
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