Fireworks and Music

With our backpacks on our back and a sense of adventure on our minds, we set off.  This would be the first time on our trip where we had no friends to meet us at our overnight stop in San Cristóbal de las casas, Mexico.  Rather than being frightened, Rachel and I were excited as we trekked through new territory, crossing the Guatemalan border into Southern Mexico. 

What hit me most about crossing the Guatemala/Mexico border is that there is no visible difference once you cross that line.  There are green mountains before you cross; there are green mountains after you cross.  There are women wearing traditional huipil clothing before you cross; there are women wearing traditional huipil clothing after you cross.  Both sides speak Spanish.  Both sides have darker skin, black hair, and a short stature.  Both sides are beautiful.

Virgen de Guadalupe pilgrims
at the border

We were surprised by another thing that linked the two sides: a pilgrimage to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe.  Pilgrims from Southern Mexico were paying homage to their Sacred Lady by traveling in large caravans across the border and down into Antigua, Guatemala.  Trucks carrying the pilgrims were decked out in flowers and images of the Virgin, and one lucky person always ran out in front of the truck carrying a burning torch.  Truck after truck passed our bus as we traveled north.  What a sight!

With no guide to greet us, we were dropped off in a strange town: San Cristóbal, one of the many tourist destinations of Southern Mexico.  Rachel and I had come up with a plan though: we would find the first hotel we came across and (1) either stay there for the night OR (2) if we hated it (or couldn’t afford it), one person would stay with the bags in the lobby while the other would go find a place to stay.  The first place we walked into happened to be one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever been to!  With a glint in her eye, Rachel said we might as well look at a room and see what they have to offer.  So we got the tour of the place and basically fell in love.  And then our jaws dropped when we heard the extremely affordable price for a night—we were sold!

View from a church overlooking the city below

With that first hurdle out of the way, we were free to wander the gorgeous streets of San Cristóbal, sample some cuisine, sip some local wine, and enjoy the evening.  Cobblestone streets, savory aromas, lit-up cathedrals, people walking and talking everywhere—could it get any better?

The following morning we were tourists to a T.  Our bus didn’t leave until nightfall and so we had a whole day to enjoy.  And enjoy we did!  Celebrations were going on all over town in the name of the Virgin of Guadalupe, complete with street fireworks, raucous music, street food, and banners waving in the wind.  Rachel and I had stumbled onto one of the most exciting times of the year!

I LOVED my time in San Cristóbal.  Yes, it was touristy.  Yes, it was gimmicky.  And yes, it was crawling with tourists.  But it was also full of life :)  And Catholic celebrations.  And amazingly tasty Mexican food.

Our next destination would take us to a dream location for me: Mexico City. 

Stay tuned!