Panimaquim is not even on most Guatemalan maps. It might be called by some people as the small village before you get to Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan. Both these places are off the Pan-American Highway Number One......very close to the highest point of elevation of this highway.
The whole of Panamaquim is set for this day. Outside small villages have also set representatives because many area residents have received Guatemala Stove Project cookstoves. But the celebratory day is also a day of relection.
When Sam Clarke died as a result of car-bicycle collison, people funded the Sam Clarke Memorial Foundation with sufficient funds to build a two-room school house in Panamaquim. The Foundation and GSP continue to keep in touch and support the citizenery in many ways.
Speeches and presentations were the order of the day. Even though speeches sometimes had to go from Mayan to spanish to English the sentiments and feelings were always quite clear. GSP volunteers were challenged to provide a light entertainment. The singing of "O canada" was in most peoples repertoire so that was the first number. After that a jolly-folksy (What else?) version of "Alouette, Alouette...".The Panamaquimers must have wondered why there were so many hand gestures of singers pointing to their head, their eyes, their neck, who knows what?
Back in Xela some 8 of us went to Utz'Hua II which is the sister restaurant to Utz' Hua across the street. This time I took a chance on Camorones (shrimp) and they were delicious. Cooked in an herbal mixture with garlic with sides of potatoes fresh peas and carrots. delicious.
Volunteers won't forget Panamaquim Day 2011.
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