Aguacate

Today Brian and Jake will be heading to the Kek'chi Mayan village of Aguacate. They will be out of cell/internet range until tomorrow afternoon! I sure hope they enjoy their night sleeping in hammocks!

The village of Aguacate has 380 people in 56 families. It is governed by the traditional Alcalde System, which was designed so that an elder and respectable citizen of the community could serve as a village leader and role model. He would organize the villagers and cultural events that would keep the community united. He also took advantage of his status as leader to motivate the villagers to participate in civic duties like cleaning the streets, cemetary and school grounds. In villages here, there are no policemen, the Alcalde would be called to settle a dispute or even a fight. In other words, the Alcalde was the nucleus of his community.

As I set up the home stay, I asked how Brian should get in contact with Louis, who coordinates the visits. He told me that once they get to the village, they could ask anyone where Louis the teacher is and they would point them in the right direction!

Tomorrow afternoon videos about village life will be up! Stay tuned!