OMG! Are you ok now Jasta? I hope so...
And you know, if you are ever able to come you might want to PM me so I can be yer tour guide. I'll be glad to do so.
3nodding Oh and, here's the myth from my country so everyone can read it:
“The Siguanaba”
Centuries ago, during Guatemalan colonial times, the city known as “La nueva ciudad de Guatemala de la asunción”, was still under construction in the valley of the virgin. One of the few temples that existed then was the one on the hill known as “El Cerrito del Carmen”. It was there that Ignacio and Maria de la Concepción could see and talk to each other for at least a few minutes a day.
- Oh my love, if only you knew how happy it makes me to be with you even if it’s only for a little while. “Said Ignacio”
- I feel the same way my dear; I only wish we could spend more time together Ignacio but, you know how my parents feel about our relationship. I can barely get to see you every time I come to church.
Ignacio was studying at the university thanks to the help of the Franciscan monks who, wished for him to become one. The young man was an orphan and he never knew who his parents were. The very kind family of an artisan from the neighborhood of San Sebastian, provided him with food and shelter.
- Reverend Father, it’s been days since we’ve seen Ignacio; have you heard from him by any chance?
- No brother, I have not; I find it very strange that he hasn’t come. For he does stop by for at least once a week and now, there hasn’t been any news from him.
The Franciscan monks were not the only ones concerned about Ignacio. The ones who were the most worried in all of this were his surrogate family; as the young man had not been home for at least three nights.
- With your permission father, someone is asking for you at the main gate.
- Who is it brother?
- It’s the artisan who took Ignacio as one of his own.
- Thank you, I’ll greet him right away.
It took the monk a few minutes to reach the front gate so that he could find out what the artisan wanted.
- Excuse me father, for coming to you at this time of the day, I know you are a busy man but, I’m really worried about Ignacio…
- And why is that my son?
- Well, to be honest father, it’s been three nights since Ignacio came to my house to rest. At first I thought that he could have spent the night with you here in the temple but, then I remembered that he has never stayed here for more than one night and, that’s only when there has been some sort of special celebration.
- I’m sorry my son but, I have not heard from Ignacio for even longer than you have.
It seems nobody had knowledge of Ignacio or his whereabouts; neither had fellow students nor his teachers.
Finally, someone heard that the sacristan from the “Ermita del Carmen” had seen him at the ninth of the immaculate, precisely on the night he disappeared.
- Ignacio, I… …this is so hard for me to do but it is better that you know the truth.
- What’s wrong Maria? You’re starting to scare me.
- Well my dear, the fact is that my father has decided that I should go to Spain and study in a convent in Sevilla. He claims that a lady of my caliber must receive an education far superior to than the one I’m receiving here in Guatemala.
- Maria, you can’t leave me… Please…
Ignacio couldn’t say anymore. As he tightly held the hand of his beloved, the maid was indicating the time to return home. They had to part ways or matters could get worse…
A few nights later, after Maria had left, Ignacio went out around the Ermita del Carmen after praying the ninth of the immaculate. Ever since his beloved left for Spain, nothing interested him anymore. That night, without even realizing it, he went down a small dirt road that led him straight for the neighborhood of Candelaria y, afterwards, to the old Parroquia. Moved by a mysterious force, Ignacio wandered the bleak, dark streets until he arrived at the outskirts of the city. Suddenly, his eyes glittered: there she was, his beloved Maria was just a few meters away!
- Maria, Maria! “he yelled desperately”
And the woman in the distance replied:
- Ignacio my love, follow me!
The poor guy didn’t know what he was doing any longer. With his heart beating a mile a minute, he followed the woman of his dreams. He chased after her through fields and roads he had never traveled before; tripping among the stones on the ground and stumbling on the bushes. Just when he felt he had finally caught up to the young woman, just when the feeling of having his beloved in his arms again, she stopped. Ignacio ran up to where she was standing. His head hurt, his heart seemed like it was about to burst.
At first he could only see her back and, when he finally came up to where she was, the woman turned around to reveal something very unexpected; Her face… God no! Her face was a horrifying horse face that breathed fire through her eyes and nostrils. Her arms quickly grabbed Ignacio so he couldn’t get away. A terrible scream was heard as the young man was pushed down the “Las Vacas” ravine.
- The truth is – some old people told years afterward – that Ignacio was taken by the siguanaba.
- How so? “Asked the children who, at night, heard old legends from their grandparents.”
- Ah well! It’s just that the Siguanaba is jealous of young men in love and, some times she appears to them at night, posing as the woman they love. May God have mercy on the souls of those who fall in her hands!
Maria de la Concepción lived in Sevilla for many long years. From there, she sent Ignacio many love letters, letters the poor young man never got.
"The End”BTW, I managed to do this yesterday but couldn't come here to post. I just came in to check on the event and the date it's supposed to end. I hope you all like it and I also hope it won't get deleted again.
rolleyes 
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