Bethel

Ancient Mayan cenote or sinkhole in the limestone bedrock. Village leaders hoped it could become a tourist attraction.

Consulting in the forest about where and how to situate the tourist facility.

An evening meeting in the school.

Houses made from local materials.

A villager who has cattle might graze them here.

Cattle constitute a farmer’s wealth, here where there are no banks (and no chance of finding a loan if there were). This farmer and his son are getting ready to inseminate a cow.

Trade with Mexico includes rice produced in Guatemala. Workers are carrying bags of it to ferry across the river.

A boat starts out to cross the Rio Usumacinta, taking tourists and others to Mexico.

Government checkpoint near the river landing, manned by soldiers. Widespread violence plagues El Petén, driven by pervasive drug trafficking.

Washing dishes at the cafe.

Tending the stove

Baking rolls

Women and girls carry water from a well to their homes. A girl of 11 would lift a 5-gallon water container, (usually plastic), and carry it on her head.

Washing clothes in a cement basin offers convenience and shade, and is easier on the laundress than washing in a river.

An ancient technique of of planting beans and corn together: the beans climb up the corn stalks, and enhance nitrogen in the soil to help sustain the corn.

Typical small corn patch with rustic house in background.