St. Simone

I went to a small town about thirty minutes by chicken bus called San Andres Xecul. There's a really cool mix of Catholicism and traditional Mayan beliefs practiced here, which I understand is pretty common in Guatemala. We visited the local church which is painted bright yellow with colorful carvings gracing the facade. Inside is a beautiful candlelit church with lots of intricate carvings and metal work, but it also has several window displays along the side with mannequin saints in various holy poses. Above the altar is a dramatically posed Jesus with pink and green neon lights surrounding him.
In addition to the church, this town is know for its adoration and celebration on Saint Simone. He is a sort of Robin Hood figure/saint. There is an effigy of him that travels to a different home every ten years. It is an honor for a local elder to house him and the saint gets his own room and a bed that he is placed into every night. People come from all over to pray to him and make offerings of candles, rum, and cigarettes.
When we arrived at the home a man was there praying and lighting candles. He welcomed us in and was generous to let us stay and observe. His prayers were really sincere and he didn't hold back at all. Most of the students left to wait outside, but the three of who stayed for the forty minutes or so got a real treat. His prayers included lots of songs and was a cool mixture of Spanish and K'iche. Afterwards, he sat down and talked to us about his prayers and his life. He welcomed us to visit Simone if we wished. Unfortunately I was fresh out of rum and cigarrettes, but I still went up and said a quick prayer to the mannequin wearing a suit and Elvis glasses and with a big cigar in his mouth.
In our conversation with the man afterwards he asked if the three of us were traveling with spouses or alone and when Kristin told him I was getting married, he replied, "So, in the U.S. that's about a four or five year contract right?" I was sure I misunderstood, but nope that's what he said! We had a fun chat, then headed back towards Xela. I have to go now. I have a lot of thinking to do about whether I want to go with the four or the five year contract :-)