San Cristobal, Mexico | 14th - 17th August
Travel Latin America Mexico
2013-08-24

We went on a tour to the nearby village, inhabited by local Mayan people. Inside this church, I watched the sacrifice of two chickens in a bizarre ritual that involved waving and touching a live chicken to all parts of the body under the light of 50 candles, before strangling the bird to death.

Puerta Viaje, an amazing hostel in San Cristobal. 360 views over the city from the dorm room.

Puerta Viaje, an amazing hostel in San Cristobal. 360 views over the city from the dorm room.

From the humid coast it was a relief to get up into the mountains and enjoy the dry, clear air and cool temperatures.

From the humid coast it was a relief to get up into the mountains and enjoy the dry, clear air and cool temperatures.

Eating the cheapest tacos I’ve had so far: MX$5 or around US$0.40 each.

Eating the cheapest tacos I’ve had so far: MX$5 or around US$0.40 each.

Spent the day with this American girl who bought a purse made of a real, petrified bullfrog. She was awesome.

Spent the day with this American girl who bought a purse made of a real, petrified bullfrog. She was awesome.

I love old colonial towns for their narrow streets and pavement-cafe style.

I love old colonial towns for their narrow streets and pavement-cafe style.

All day and all night (especially all night), the locals set off fireworks. Apparently it’s a religious thing. This is one of the dedicated launch sites for fireworks.

All day and all night (especially all night), the locals set off fireworks. Apparently it’s a religious thing. This is one of the dedicated launch sites for fireworks.

The locals believe Coke has healing powers and they use it as part of the chicken sacrifice ritual.

The locals believe Coke has healing powers and they use it as part of the chicken sacrifice ritual.

A big night was had at the Revolution Bar, with live music by a local reggae band. There was lots of dancing. Mexican guys rock the salsa much to the delight of the ladies, but are clueless at anything outside of that spectrum, so us non-Latin Westerners had our time to dominate the dance floor too. Tore that place apart with two British girls I met at the hostel, and paid dearly the next morning.