January 8, 2010 Chiapas Mexico
San Cristobel De La Casas is quite the city. It is cosmopoliton and international while at the same time it retains a charm that is ancient. It was established in 1528 when the Spainards came here. There are two native groups still active in the community and they have an outdoor market outside the doors of the Cathedral. These natives sell their wares and try to survive. We went into the cathedral today it was built of rebuilt in the 1800′s and the statues and pictures and gold leaf altar are something else to see. In a side chapel is an old picture of the “Slaughter of the Innocents”. The artist showed a mother covering her eyes as her child was snatched away ready to be killed. The picture stopped me in my tracks and i had to stop for a moment i was so overcome with emotion from that unknown artists protrayal of the famous biblical scene.
i am learning and beginning to feel that i have some small grasp of Spanish. I can translate most of a menu, i can read signs and can even tell someone what i want and can a tiny bit understand what they are asking or telling me. I will never be good but at least i am more confident about trying to speak and hear Spanish. There is nothing like immersion to get it. It has been good to get out and walk into the city and enjoy some exercise and fresh air. we will stay here two more nights it is so very enjoyable.
