Music by Aldo Garcia
Chiapas
With education, another world is possible.
|
The ZapatistasIn Zapatista villages, art is a form of protest and inspiration for their ideas about democracy and collective living. Women have full and equal rights with men. The villages are autonomous and have their own schools taught in the native language of each village, their own clinics and doctors. They accept no aid from the Mexican Government, and would like to have no interference as well. |
San Cristóbal de las CasasDesignated Pueblo Magico, San Cristóbal de las Casas casts its considerable charm over every person who visits. Lush mountains filled with rare bromeliads completely surround it. Old colonial architecture graces the center of town, markets are filled with indigenous crafts, and the Zocalo has live Marimba music in the evenings. From the packed mercado with fresh fruits and vegetables to street vendors hawking corn cakes to gourmet restaurants, you can find any kind of food you desire. San Cristóbal is the heart of Chiapas. With its eternal spring climate, warm days and cool nights, it is a traveler's dream city.
|
Orquideas Moxviquil, a preserve for rare orchids and bromeliads in San Cristobal
|
Comitán
South of San Cristóbal and lower in altitude is another colonial city called Comitán. It is famous for sculptures in the plaza and around town, the Mudejar-style arcade on the plain (but bright yellow!) church, and the quality of its archeological museum which has artifacts from nearby Chinkultic and Tenam Puente. The town is popular with Mexican tourists but few foreigners visit here. Nearby are the waterfalls of El Chiflón and the colorful lakes of Lagunas de Montebello. Tours leave the Zócalo regularly for other points of interest in the Lakes Region: Laguna Miramar, the Las Nubes waterfalls, and Las Guacamayas, the nesting ground for the endangered scarlet macaw.