Let's Start Exploring Huehue!

At this point I am sure that you already figured that Huehue is the short name that we Guatemalans use instead of Huehuetenango. I wonder now, is this a custom in other countries? For some reason we have short names, or diminutives, or nicknames, or even all of those for almost everything! Anyway, the purpose of this trip is to explore Huehue and here I am, rambling...

The logic tells me that our starting point should be Huehue (1 in the map), the Department's Capital; however, additional to Zaculeu, I couldn't find special information about it, apparently because as of today, Huehue is transformed into a big metropolitan city, with nice hotels, great restaurants, and well appointed shopping centers. In any case, it is good to know that we will have a very good "operations center" to move around comfortably.

And our first move outside Huehue, is Aguacatan, identified with the number 27 in the map. Along this municipality we are going to find two main linguistic groups: Awakateko and Chalchiteko. The reason is because two territories that used to be two different Maya descendants settlements, were officially transformed into one of Huehuetenango's municipalities in 1891.

From a tourist perspective, Aguacatan has to be included as a destination while touring around Huehue because there are several archaeological sites: Chalchitan, Chichoche, Chuchun, Huitxun, Pichiquil, Pueblo Viejo, and Xoltxun. Additionally, several water sources are located here, all of them surrounded by landscapes so beautiful that will make our visit truly worthy.

Our next stop will be Chiantla, 2 in the map, a place where the predominant language is Spanish. How is that being so close to the Awakatekos and Chalchitekos, locals in Chiantla speak Spanish? Obviously, this among other features, is what makes Guatemala so diverse and rich in culture.

Chiantla is a pilgrimage center, especially in February when they celebrate a festivity honoring Our Lady of Candelaria, whose beautiful statue is dressed in fine silver filigree. The virgin' statue and the church as well, date back to the XVI Century.

The last stop today, will be Malacatancito (3 in the map), which is the diminutive of Santa Ana Malacatan, the original name of this municipality. Shortly after the colonial times, locals decided to make official the current name because the original one used to be confused with Santa Ana Huista (in Huehuetenango) and with Malacatan (in San Marcos).

Coffee aficionados will delight with  Huehuetenango's beans, as the region  produces extraordinary coffee and has become a strong participant in markets specializing in organic and fair trade labels.