Early flight to Chania which is pronounced “Han-Yah”, not even close to the English spelling. Illias, a guide in training, accompanied us on this part of the trip. Really nice guy, and easy going bass guitarist. Chania is a port city with Venetian architecture and narrow streets and plenty of outdoor dining on the waterfront. The food in Crete was the best, lots of olive oil and fresh tomatoes. After our first lunch, Erich paid and then the waiter brought over a little bottle and two shot glasses and some ice cream. This is a tradition, the Cretans serve Raki, a grape liquor, served after a meal to aide in digestion. It is part of the meal…and yes it helps with digestion. We ate so much and were so full that a couple shots of Raki really worked. Another night we ate a local restaurant listening to some live traditional music, drinking Raki and had the best Moussaka EVER!
Lake Atitlan is surrounded by many villages, in which Maya culture is still prevalent and traditional dress is worn. The Maya people of Atitlán are predominantly Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel. The Maya weave textiles and each group has their own pattern. Santiago Atitlán is the largest of the lakeside communities, and is noted for its worship of Maximón, an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints and conquistador legends. The institutionalized effigy of Maximón is under the control of a local religious brotherhood and resides in various houses of its membership during the course of a year, being most ceremonially moved in a grand procession during Semana Santa. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lago_de_Atitlán The rain was starting to let up as we walked through a maze of cobblestone alleyways to the house of Maximón. The courtyard was was thick with the smoke of incense and the light drizzle of rain collected on the blue plastic...







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