After San Juan, our captain took us to Santiago, a lesser-visited island with plenty of cultures. Here, we enjoyed a delicious lunch overlooking the lake. After lunch, Judith told us we were going to a ‘brotherhood’ as my partner had a special interest in shamans. Not really knowing where we were going, I was taken back to find us in the middle of a traditional healing ceremony. A mix of Mayan and Catholicism practices and deities lined the room. The shaman, fast at work, had clients waiting their turn for a ritual to cleanse and protect them from whatever ailments they had. We spent 30 minutes in this small room, watching and learning as locals conversed over drinks (considered purifying) about a variety of topics. This was truly a unique experience and it was at that moment I felt I was traveling. Thanks to Judith for being able to bring us to the room and though we also provided our offerings, we certainly felt lucky to have experienced this side of Guatemalan culture.
After a long and intriguing day exploring the local villages on Lake Atitlan, my partner and I spent the evening choosing our meal at a local restaurant in Pana and not too long after, headed straight for bed.
