3 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
2hr drive from Santa Cruz del Quiche and Huehuetenango
When to go
From November to May
Minimum stay
One day
Chajul (Guatemala)
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17 Cathy TRICHET
Practical information on Chajul
Reviews of Chajul
Chajul is an isolated village, nestled in the mountain, close to Santa Cruz del Quiche, in Ixil country.
My suggestion:
If you'd like to get to know the local population during a trip to then stop off at this village, but remember to wrap up warm. It's more than chilly up the mountain!
My review
Chajul is an extremely poor village and few locals speak Spanish; they speak Ixil, which is also the language taught in the local school.
The locals were really surprised to see us and some avoided us - white skinned people being reminiscent of the relatively recent war. That said, others welcomed us with smiles and open arms! A man called Felipe approached us, welcomed us and told us a bit about the village's past. He apologised on behalf of those who avoided us and spoke about the repression that these people had suffered during the uprisings.
It was a moving account, not least because it was hard to follow his every word. We gave him a packet of biscuits - the only supplies we had on us - and left him, feeling happy that we'd had the chance to spend time with him. Then the clouds rose up the hillside and a mist began to settle, so we headed on our way.
©
17 Cathy TRICHET
Chajul is an isolated village, nestled in the mountain, close to Santa Cruz del Quiche, in Ixil country.
My suggestion:
If you'd like to get to know the local population during a trip to then stop off at this village, but remember to wrap up warm. It's more than chilly up the mountain!
My review
Chajul is an extremely poor village and few locals speak Spanish; they speak Ixil, which is also the language taught in the local school.
The locals were really surprised to see us and some avoided us - white skinned people being reminiscent of the relatively recent war. That said, others welcomed us with smiles and open arms! A man called Felipe approached us, welcomed us and told us a bit about the village's past. He apologised on behalf of those who avoided us and spoke about the repression that these people had suffered during the uprisings.
It was a moving account, not least because it was hard to follow his every word. We gave him a packet of biscuits - the only supplies we had on us - and left him, feeling happy that we'd had the chance to spend time with him. Then the clouds rose up the hillside and a mist began to settle, so we headed on our way.
©
17 Cathy TRICHET
115 travelers' photos
