January 1st,
2002
Antigua Guatemala
After a late start (we had to sleep off both champagne and post-Torito stress), we find ourselves back in lovely Antigua. This afternoon we have some time to explore the city, from its many beautiful churches to its many beautiful stores. A visit to the local jade factory is of particular interest, in part due to the similarities to the jade factories we visited last year in Thailand. The stone found in Guatemala is different – jadeite rather than nephrite – but the range of colors is similar. There is even black jade found here, lovely and dark. Jade was a favorite decoration of the Maya, and pounds of jewelry and masks have been found in burial sites. Their skill to work such a hard stone without metals must have been considerable.