Friday, January 28, 2011

Visa Run...





I had to head to Mexico this past week to renew my Guatemala visa. I spent the week in San Cristobal de Las Casas, beautiful town. When I arrived I wandered around a little and found a Mass being held for Bishop Samuel Ruiz who had been defending the rights of the indigenous peoples of Chiapas for years and helped in the peace process between the Zapatistas and the Mexican Government.

I arrived on Tuesday evening as the sun was slowly setting, I found people walking past one of the walls of the church in the central park reading signs and prayers for the Bishop. Wednesday his funeral was held outside the church, hundreds of people gathered around the plaza praying and praising the Bishop and his life.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Parish Coffee...



This past week I spent a few days in San Lucas Tolimon to meet with project coordinators with the San Lucas Mission and the head doctor of the clinic there. My meetings went well and I will be heading back to start shooting at the clinic in February. Between meetings I had some time to check out the Missions other projects one of which is coffee growing and processing. This was the first time I had seen coffee being processed and I have to say it was all very interesting. I am very grateful to the folks at the mission and the people of San Lucas for allowing me to visit them and make photos in their town. I look forward to going back very soon.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Coffee and some Mystery...

The view from my kitchen window as I was making coffee this morning. I'm heading to Lago de Atitlan (Lake Atitlan) on Tuesday to meet some contacts on a project I will be starting. Keeping my fingers crossed everything goes well with these meetings.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Taxi Driver...

Luis, is the cab driver I always call. One really cool dude. Along with a safe ride home late at night I also get some amazing conversation about everything from the state of the country to our families. If you are ever in Xela Luis's cab has a little mammoth and a penguin on the dash. He will get you to where you need to go!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Working...





After a morning meeting at Voces de Cambio I wandered to La Democracia Market my favorite market here in Xela. Its amazing how insane that place can get during market days. Today however was pretty quiet. Well quiet is a relative term. Even on "quiet" days these men and women hustle around!

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Friday, January 07, 2011

Bag Men...

Need a bag for all those fresh fruits and veggies you just bought at La Democracia Market? Just hunt one of these Bag Men down. For 1Q they will give you a nice new plastic bag so you can get those greens home.

Thursday, January 06, 2011

in Motion...


Went to Chi Chi for a day trip this past weekend mainly stayed in the inner market shooting I love that place, not to many tourists mostly locals. Even with all the hustle and bustle of the market I found a quiet moment in the market.