Around San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Juan Chamula
The region around San Cristóbal is dotted with superb villages and fantastic landscapes. One of the villages, San Juan Chamula, is very independent, and is the centre of absolutely unique religious practices. Men and women wear traditional clothes and practise a unique religion in the country.
In the village, photos are forbidden during religious rites and especially within the church where an astonishing 'show' can be seen. Going into the church, I was expecting to see a normal Catholic Church. I could not have been more wrong.
There are no seats, a heavy smoke fills the church, and people pray in small groups around thousands of candles spread around the floor. In some groups, musicians play with some ancient instrument. It is difficult to move toward the front of the church because it so pack with people. A place to see once in your life. Unbelievable.
The scenery
