KAT IN MAYA CENTER

Over the past two weeks, I spent my days working, playing, eating, and sleeping under the care of Aurora Saqui (a Mayan healer) and her family and friends. Aurora had me paint signs advertising her business (H’men Herbal Center & Botanical Garden/ Nu’uk Che’il Cottages & Restaurant) and repaint traditional Mayan images on the furniture in her restaurant and the outside of her gift shop. She had me collect, dry, and package various plants and herbs from her garden (i.e. lemongrass, sensitive plant, chal che, sycropia leaves, basil, and cilantro) Apart from those “assigned” tasks, Aurora taught me the art of carving slate and how to make corn tortillas and tamales. All of which were tasks foreign to my hands, but it felt frustratingly refreshing to be among the unfamiliar. I also got to spend a little time at the local school sharing stories that I have heard, from various Belizean friends, about Tataduende (a Mayan folktale/legend character). In the short amount of time I spent at Maya Center, I got to lay eyes upon the blue-crowned mot mot, golden-hooded tanager and many other unfamiliar beauties. I return from the experience with pocketfuls of stories and a renewed sense of gratitude for the people of Maya Center and the missed bits of home.