Ronald McDonald in Guatemala

miercoles, 8 de junio de 2011- Aldea, Guatemala Day 11

Today we went to Aldea for a FIESTA! I knew people were going to be in costume, but I did not expect what I saw.  I thought they would be dressed up in traditional clothing, but no.  They were dressed up as Ronald McDonald, indians, rockstars, and anime characters.  Well, I don't have to be upset about missing A-Kon now.

They look so comical and only make me wish I could see how these carnivals were before they changed their disfraces (costumes).  Traditionally, people dressed up like people from other towns but with the increased influence of social media, the costumes have changed over time.  I was slightly disappointed by this trip.  I was expecting to see something more traditional, not men dancing around as women in skimpy costumes or Ronald McDonald jigging in the highlands of Guatemala (not that it wasn't nice to see a familiar face).  We were introduced to Don Pedro who organized the fiesta today and is in charge of the monkey dance, which I am so upset we will be missing this year.  He took us to see Nino San Antonio, the god of fertility, an image of Saint Anthony holding a bible with Jesus on top.  

When we got back to Momos we went to pick up our blankets.  I bought two, one that is blue, grey, and white, and the other dyed with the bark of the Lemop' tree like the one we saw at Julian's house.  Back at the house I watch movies all night with Mitch.  I can't believe my trip is halfway over