"Guatemala-Land of Beauty, Mystery, and Anguish" Guatemala by Ken_Weaver

Guatemala Travel Guide: 3,755 reviews and 8,187 photos

Guatemala is a land of beauty, mystery, and anguish. As you will see in the many pictures on this page, my several travelogues and other pages of places in Guatemala that, the land, the people, and the architecture are all so beautiful. What is difficult to show is the mystery that surrounds the people of Guatemala, particularly the indigenous descendents of the Mayas, an incredible civilization that existed here for thousands of years and suddenly disappeared about 1000 years ago leaving people groups all over the country who do not live at all in the culture and splendor of their ancesters. Guatemala is a land of anquish. The Spanish Conquistadores reigned terror on the land in the 1500s. Various types of governments ruled very autocratically up through the 1900s. In 1960, a military coup set the country into civil war which officially lasted until 1996. During those 36 years the country was stained with violence and genocide. The indigenous population was caught in the middle between the rightwing military governments who feared a communist takeover and the rebel forces who wanted land reform, social justice, education, and health reform. During the 36 years, over 200,000 people were either killed or "disappeared." The majority of causalties were labor leaders, college educators, and the indigenous peoples of Guatemala. Today, the war is over, but the wounds to the country have not healed. I pray for a great and just leader to bring real peace and equality to this beautiful country.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Incredible Beauty and Mystery in the Land and People
Cons:A Government That Just Can't Get It Right!
In a nutshell:Exciting, Yet Economical Country To Visit.

Last visit to Guatemala: Jul 1999
Intro Updated May 15, 2003
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Reviews (14)

General Information Favorites (1)

Guatemala is slightly smaller than the US state of Tennessee. The 2002 population estimate is 13.3 million people. The... more travel advice

President of Belén Off The Beaten Path (5)

Domingo's story tears your heart out. As a young man he experienced some horrific events that have scarred him deeply.... more travel advice

Note Native Blouse or Huipil - Guatemala

Some of my favorite people Off The Beaten Path (5)

This Ixil woman was persuaded to have her picture taken. There is a real sense of peace and gentleness that exists in... more travel advice

An Ixil Family Off The Beaten Path (5)

The Ixil men speak Spanish as a second language. Some children who have been to school will also. Women speak only Ixil,... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
At the Market Negotiate the Best Price

Things to Do (7)
See All Tikal-Great City of the Maya

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (28)

conejita71 Jun 3, 2009 at 5:02 PM Report Abuse

cool page Ken... if you want visit my country, check it out :www.elsalvador.travel
Pawtuxet Jan 7, 2007 at 5:16 PM Report Abuse

OK, I'm ready to go find those weavers. I'd probably get myself in trouble buying too many things from these beautiful textiles. Looks like an interesting trip. Enjoyed the page.
galy Jul 1, 2006 at 8:44 AM Report Abuse

Great page ken, sad stories of the Ixil
Hermanater Mar 23, 2006 at 3:17 PM Report Abuse

Central America is one of the greatest places to explore......I would love to retire there someplace....great pages.
VeronicaG Mar 16, 2006 at 4:24 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the glimpse of Guatemala--it looks like a very interesting country!
SerSol Mar 16, 2006 at 8:13 AM Report Abuse

Hola Ken. Tanks for sharing such an interesting and beautiful places at Guatemala. Maybe our next trip will be in that direction.Hasta pronto. Sergio
HEMG59 Mar 14, 2006 at 6:56 PM Report Abuse

Bueno, Guatemala es muuyyyy parecido a Mexico, interesantes historias !
FletteMette Feb 20, 2006 at 2:38 PM Report Abuse

I'm glad you enjoyed my Bergen page... :o) Guatemala is on my "must-go-there-soon"-list - and your intro to the country was really interesting! Loved the pic of the smiling lady.
roamer61 Jul 9, 2005 at 12:47 PM Report Abuse

Hi Ken. I like your pics of the people of Guatemala. In third world countries around the world, it is meeting the local peoples that frequently adds spice to ones travels.
windsorgirl Dec 22, 2004 at 10:13 AM Report Abuse

What a sad story of the Ixil people, but a wonderful photo of the smiling Ixil lady! Your humanitarian work is commendable Ken, all the best for 2005!