San Pedro

This week-end we went across the lake for a night in San Pedro. Like all towns around here it is very hilly.  We spent the afternoon walking the streets and taking in the sights. There were many Canadians there, mostly young people.

They have a beautiful Catholic church.

catholic church

You could take stairs to the top and have a spectacular view of the lake, but there was a service in progress so we only went part way up.  Contrast this with the photo of the Mayan home below.

Yes, from behind this tin we could hear a family.  For the most part the indigenous people of this area are fairly poor.  This home was one of the worst.  However, most live in substandard and crowded conditions.

The people work very hard.  I was at a boat dock and noticed about ten one hundred pound  bags of cement on the dock.  Three small women came and each loaded a hundred pound bag on her back. They wear a forehead band with cords to hold the weight.  They bend forward and off they go.  They had to carry these bags up a steep hill! One bag would do me in!

A 24 year old woman came into the clinic the other day and wanted a pregnancy test.  She had a ten month old baby on her back and was hoping she was not pregnant again as she already has six children!  The test was positive.

Life is difficult for many in this region.