Dia de Independencia

Hola! This weekend was Dia de Independencia, or Independence Day for Guatemala! The festivities begin on Friday night with the running of the torch. All of the children in town travel to the captial of the state they live in and light their town’s torch. They then bring the lit torch back to their towns and there is a parade through town until they come to the big torch in the center of town, The torch carries the “Fire of Freedom,” they call it this because it was not actually September 15th when the Independence document was signed but rather the day before. But many Guatemalans did not know they were free until they woke up on September 15th and saw the “Fire of Freedom” This is why they carry the torches through towns the night before.

September 15th is a day full of parades, music, food and even some fireworks! The day begins early with a parade of all the school aged children marching, playing instruments and little Independence Day princesses! This is followed by a huge lunch in the town square. In the afternoon neighboring towns parade through the town too! In the late afternoon in a neighboring town there is a pole climbing contest! The town takes a 60 foot tree, takes all the bark off and puts grease all over it, then they see who can climb to the top! If you make it to the top then you get Q500 or about $70! There was a guy that made it all the way to the top this year!

The weather is really nice here! It is warm durning the day but really cold at night. During the day it is about 20 degrees Celcuis and at night it is about 15 degrees Celcius. Do you know how warm and cold that is in Farenhiet? Even though 15 degrees Celcius is not that cold you have to remember that I do not have any heat so it is like sleeping outside all the time.

Remember to send me your questions and let me know what you want to hear about!