Yes, I went into Guatemala City! And, there was awesome graffiti art...

They all will tell you to avoid Guatemala City, as it is dangerous and thick with black diesel fume.  But, as some people, curious when forbidden, I went to check out the scene.  Definitely, it is more worthwhile and safe if you know some people, and know not to do basic things like have your wallet hanging out of your pocket, or try to read a giant map at the street corner.  And yes, it is safer for a single dude rather than a single lady.  I recommend using "couchsurfing" as a way to get to know some folks and maybe have them show you the city.  There are lots of surfing hosts here.

One of three things I intended to see and share with you is the grafitti art.  The next post is another thing, a yearly parade which mocks the politicians of Guatemala, run by university students.  The third is music, and didn't document it, but I saw some pretty great METAL.

Here's some of the graffiti art--

¿whats up with that car?

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty cool, eh?

Appreciate abstract art - it is there to awaken your creativity!  Long live FREE ART!

Ronjon

Death is not the end

Some photos from the Quetzaltenago (Xela) cemetery.  It is in the style of the New Orleans cemeteries, with aboveground tombs...

It is large

...among trees

...surrounded by hills and volcanoes

!And full of color!

Because death is not the end...                                                                                ...It is a celebration

 

of life.

A friend described a Guatemalan funeral to me.  Keep in mind that, for the most part, everyone here is a catholic or evangelical.  She described an endeavor in which family and friends stay with each other throughout the night in the funeral hall or home following a eulogy.  There are two rooms for anyone to be in - a room for mournful sadness, and a room for laughter.  Yes, laughter!  In all the sadness of losing a loved one, especially when it comes to soon, we know it is inevitable, and we know the past was great, so let's have a smile.  Having a room like this is a great relief from the sadness, and you can have a rest here when the greif becomes overwhelming.  There are more American-style funerals here as well, ones without the laugh-room.  Though for me, I wouldn't like to grieve without the full balance of life.

One more note on the cemetery, it appears that economic segregation persists in the burial grounds:

Wealthy

Middle-class (can see the wealthy section in the back)



And the poor (these tombs line the cemetery perimeter)

The poorest of the poor probably are not here at all, burying their dead diectly into the ground, or cremated.  This is more reasonable anyway, rather than covering the land with concrete, and attempting to preserve ourselves in separation from the natural world.

Feed yourself back to the land that fed you!

Rest in peace,

Romjom