[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”16356″][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”45vh”][vc_column_text el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1591315273406{padding-top: 35px !important;padding-right: 35px !important;padding-bottom: 35px !important;padding-left: 35px !important;}”]
A day of Celebration
In Guatemala, All Saints Day is spent with loved ones visiting and celebrating with the deceased family in cemeteries.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25vh”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text el_class=”content” css=”.vc_custom_1591315459668{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”]
Morning in the Colonial City
Our journey begins in the colonial city of Antigua. Its beautiful morning with spectacular views of the Agua, Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes. Antigua is truly emblematic, so much so that it has the distinction of being considered Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and is the perfect preamble to todays great adventure on two wheels.
The minutes pass, while we wait for each of our adventure partners to arrive. Today we have a large group of 12 cyclists. As a resident of this place, I am proud to share with our compatriots and foreigners the roots of this Mayan tradition with more than 180 years of history. As time goes by, the circle of friends increases, between greetings and smiles, the emotions to start to pedal grew more and more.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”16358″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large” css=”.vc_custom_1590375287080{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][/vc_column][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1590368704272{background-image: url(https://www.mtbguatemala.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/barriletes-191101-071.jpg?id=16314) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_empty_space height=”40vh”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]MTB Guatemala, a pioneer in mountain biking in Guatemala; has designed an exclusive route taking us in an ecological way to one of the most colorful traditional festivals in my country: “The Giant Kite Festival”. The event, celebrated on November 1 in the cemetery in Sumpango has become increasingly popular for nationals and foreigners.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]After verifying that all the participants are present and that each bicycle is ready our lead guide Brendan James gives the first instructions and itinerary. He introduces us to our pilot Erick, who will be responsible for making the transfers and driving a bus that will accompany us throughout the tour. The three guides will be divided among the group, and we are all encouraged to go at our own pace.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text][jig_vc][justified_image_grid preset=c5 ids=”16354,16355 ” aspect_ratio=1.2:1][/jig_vc][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
¡Estamos listos!
Among the participants are a group of girls looking to add one more adventure to their list, an architect from the capital city, and a family from Whistler, Canada and a family from Suchitepequez. Its a mixed group!
It is nice to see how some of the clients choose to spend their birthday with the MTB Guatemala team.This was the case of a boy from the department of Suchitepéquez who shared that he longed to be part of the tour and to accompany us to the giant kite festival, which his family agreed to and gave him the experience as a birthday gift.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]The excitement to start riding is growing. This event is something unique even for the locals, and the first of its kind. Because of the influx to the festival is so massive most choose to get to the festival in collectivos and private transport, because there are no possibilities of finding parking. Our trip by bike will connect through the mountains an small villages taking an alternative route.
After our first transfer we arrive at our starting point: Hobbitenango, an ecological park above Antigua. Our new friends are impressed with the beautiful views of the Panchoy Valley – the Colonial City of Antigua and the surrounding volcanoes. The team reviews the day’s plan, a logistics of months of preparation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”16361″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
Taking the back roads to Sumpango
After checking that each bicycle is in optimal condition the long-awaited moment arrives: to ride our bicycles and venture into what MTB Guatemala has in store for us.
As we begin the ride we leave behind the conventional highways, and enter the small communities above Antigua with beautiful forests and back roads. We follow dirt paths and less-traveled trails that peasants use travel to move from one place to another more quickly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]We ride through small communities that are totally isolated. We observe simple and friendly families wearing their colorful regional clothing “güipiles” and partying in the streets. Everywhere there are kites.
The children run around trying to lift their own little kites, sometimes made of plastic (nylon bags). Guatemalan children are very active and they spread their emotion and excitement throughout our journey, supporting us with applause, cheers, greetings and big smiles.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text][jig_vc][justified_image_grid preset=c5 ids=16312,16318 orderby=menu_order max_rows=1][/jig_vc][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″ offset=”vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
On All Saints’ Day, Guatemalan families gather and go together to cemeteries to venerate the memory of their ancestors. In the kites we can see how parents are instilling in their children this ancient tradition.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”16372″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
The trip is always better by bike!
Frequent stops are necessary to admire the many beautiful places along the ride. Nearly every town we go through is in celebration – in the distance we see the small eruptions of the Fuego volcano. Day of the dead celebrations gather hundreds of people from the community, they organize fairs, races, marathon and cycling events to celebrate the day. We are enamored with so much celebration while passing through on our bikes – the journey fills us with excitement.
It’s a priority at MTB Guatemala for you to enjoy the adventure at your own pace. The time comes when we separate the group into two, based on their technical level: Brendan goes with the advanced group to the more technical trails. My fellow guide, Alex and I stay with the largest group, continuing on a less technical but fun route.
Throughout the tour, our friend Erick the driver, is very attentive to what we may need, following closely along with a 4×4 support car of one of the relatives.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”16373″ parallax_speed_bg=”1.7″][vc_empty_space height=”50vh”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
The busiest day of the year in the tiny town of Sumpango
As we get closer to Sumpango, we are surprised by the influx of people and vehicular traffic. The kite festival brings tens of thousands of people to this small Mayan town which closes all its streets for the festival. Cars park along the main highway and families walk for miles to get in.
With respect and admiration for everything that surrounds us, we make through the crowds of Sumpango on our bikes. After a few minutes we arrive at our meeting point near the festival entrance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]We leave the bikes at a small bakery that we had organized before the trip. MTB Guatemala tries to leave positive impacts on the communities we visit and this is one of the ways we can help out a family. With our bikes parked we are free to walk the festival.
It’s opportune time to explore the impromptu market with countless articles, mostly crafts on display. Each craft reflects the work of the artisan and the legacy and culture according to the community where he comes from. It is incredible to see so much diversity of people from different countries interacting with locals.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
The Sights and Sounds of the Celebration
We are approaching the main attraction: a large field where the giant kites are exhibited. We stop at a small street stand where the aroma of typical dishes mixes with the sounds of live marimba music.
The festival brings together families, friends and tourists from different countries in a hubbub of colors, emotions and tradition. Every year the festival becomes more popular. The streets of Sumpango are crowded by Guatemalans with beautiful colorful regional clothing characteristic of each region.
With so much variety it is difficult to choose what to eat! Roast beef, sausages that have been made by hand, guacamole, flipped beans, chirmol (fried tomatoes) and charcoal cooked golden corn tortillas. Events like this demonstrate a bit of Guatemalan culinary traditions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_single_image image=”16306″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”16301″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
The art of the Barriletes is a preservation of heritage and culture.
The giant kite festival has many positive impacts, one of them is to see how Guatemalan youth spend their time creating art, which gets to be admired by thousands of tourists from around the world. For these young people, it is the perfect opportunity to express themselves and show the world a bit of their Mayan culture.
Each kite is a canvas where emotions, art and the social context of our Guatemalan culture are expressed. Some of the themes represented at this years kite festival are: Peace, harmony, unity and equality.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” parallax=”content-moving” css=”.vc_custom_1590375608308{background-image: url(https://www.mtbguatemala.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/barriletes-191101-050.jpg?id=16370) !important;background-position: center;background-repeat: no-repeat;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-lg-4 vc_col-md-4″][vc_empty_space height=”25vh”][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
“Young people who make kites are often willing to share the message and context of their creation.”
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]After a few minutes we see the elevation of those huge kites begin. Men run through the crowd with reels of rope yelling – Watch out! Step back!
People stretch their necks as the enormous kites fight their way up to the sky. We are infected with joy, adrenaline and fear as thousands of people around us scream in excitement. The blowing of the November wind raises the kites while thousands of cameras aim to capture the moments of this beautiful tradition.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15vh”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”5vh”][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
De vuelta a casa
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]As we ride together back to the colonial city, we see how our panorama is changing, now with a sad sunset.
We have reached our destination, our mixed group is now a large family and we commemorate our personal experiences with a small toast.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]Between smiles and hugs we say goodbye, with a certain nostalgia we see our friends leave for future adventures. At the end of the day, the greatest satisfaction for us is to see happiness on the face of each of our friends who enjoyed this unique experience!
-Neftalí Ajín
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text][jig_vc][justified_image_grid preset=c5 ids=16326,16334,16322][/jig_vc][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”16317″ img_size=”full” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” el_class=”lastvcrow”][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_col-md-offset-4 vc_col-md-4 vc_col-sm-offset-3 vc_col-xs-12″][vc_column_text el_class=”content”]
About the Author
[/vc_column_text][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”cs-2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/6″ offset=”vc_col-lg-offset-3 vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-sm-offset-1 vc_col-xs-12″]
reserve your space for this year's trip!
Barriletes Gigantes en Bici
Fixed departure Nov 1st - Mountain Bike to the giant kite festival in Sumpango!
[vc_empty_space height=”5vh”]
Photo Gallery
[/vc_column][/vc_row]
Comments