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SAN ANTONIO |
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 The
villagers of SAN ANTONIO are descendants of Maya refugees who fled the
Caste Wars in Yucatán in 1847; many people still speak Yucatec.
Their story is told in a fascinating account of the village's oral
history, After 100 Years , by Alfonso Antonio Tzul, available in some
bookshops in Belize and from the Tanah Museum. Nestled in the Macal
River valley, surrounded by scattered farms, with the forested Maya
Mountains in the background, this is a superb place to learn about
traditional Maya ways. The Garcia sisters, who grew up in the village,
run the Tanah Museum and the simple but comfortable Chichan Ka Guest
House (tel 820-4023, tanah-info@awrem.com ; US$15-25) at the approach to
the village (buses from San Ignacio stop outside). It's a very relaxing
place to stay, traditional meals are served and courses are offered in
the gathering and use of medicinal plants. The sisters are also renowned
for their slate carvings, and their gift shop has become a favourite
tour-group stop. You can also find out here about guided trips to the
brand-new Elijio Panti National Park , part of a project to allow the
Maya to manage a protected area for conservation and tourism. |
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