10 Ajaw 13 Wo, drawing by Jorge Pérez de Lara
Three weeks to the grand Second International Congress of Maya Epigraphers.
Regarding enrollment: Not surprisingly there have been a number of people asking if they can attend. This event is by invitation only, and we have already extended the capacity from 80 to 110. We’re sorry, but we cannot possibly open up to the general public at this time.
In March, Martín Gómez and I spent 10 days of intense organizing.
Martín Gómez, Maya Tzeltal, in his home office, Abasolo, Chiapas.
We created “oficios,” formal letters of request for numerous local agencies and organizations, requesting help with logistics.
“Oficios,” formal request letters on MAM letterhead.
We personally delivered these “oficios” to offices in Ocosingo, San Cristobal de las Casas, and Tuxtla Gutierrez (the state capital).
Municipio de Ocosingo town hall.
Our host institution.
We got a nice boost when the local newspaper interviewed us and reported that the Mayor of Ocosingo was proudly announcing the upcoming event.
The “Voice of Ocosingo.”
We made the headlines.
In Antigua I secured a charter bus, to carry our Guatemalan and Honduran participants to the border with Chiapas where they will be met by a Mexican transportation agency to take them the rest of the way.
Monja Blanca charter bus for Guatemalan and Honduran participants.
All this is paid for by your recent contributions.
Chortis from Honduras will be represented for the first time!
(A personal note to our contributors: when I go to the local ATM machines to withdraw funds for these multiple expenses, I find myself giving a silent “thank you” to all of you for your support.)
The date of our next blog will be 4 Ajaw, May 25, marking the inauguration of the Congress.
