This evening my spouse and I were watching a show on the History channel about South and Central American pyramids, and that reminded me of an experience I had on my first ever Caribbean cruise about sixteen years ago. Coincidentally, I had recently come across the paperwork that came with my jade cross that I purchased on that cruise. As you might expect, on a western Caribbean cruise, we stopped at many costal cities in Cancun, Belize and other countries but the place I remember most fondly is Guatemala. The contrast between that and other places we called on was amazing. In most places we were almost overwhelmed with vendors trying to get us to buy their wares as soon as we set foot on land. I was traveling with two girlfriends and between us we certainly bought enough to help support the local economies, but the shopping was not always pleasant. Guatemala was different. No harassment as soon as we stepped off the ship. We were simply put on a bus and taken to the site of a very impressive Mayan pyramid. I'm sorry that I don't remember the name of it. Also at that site was an archaeological museum and jade factory and, of course, a lovely display of jade sculptures and jewelry for sale. No pressure at all, simply availability. I enjoyed looking and bought one simple piece that I knew I would wear. What a pleasure and the reason I will always remember Guatemala with great fondness.
A little side story. I was wearing the cross one day when I was substitute teaching at a Catholic elementary school. One of the students commented on the necklace and I said that I had gotten it in Guatemala. Another student then said "My father is from Guatemala." When I told her how much I liked it there she just smiled and smiled and said she would tell her father.
My little jade cross, one and one half inches tall.
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