February brought another Book of Mormon adventure as father, son(myself), and family friend David Reese, returned to supposed sight of first hill cumorah: hill vigia. Meeting each other in Los Angeles a
irport we continued on our to Mexico City, with connecting flight to Veracruz, and an hour long drive, thanks to Hertz, we found that we had traveled a considerable length into the past upon reaching destined Santiago Tuxtla. A quaint town nestled in a valley just off the gulf south of Veracruz, Santiago played home to the greatest of people; those who would gather to play instruments in the park
nightly, to those who ran hill ward for their soccer team, and to those who's utmost concern was that of the well being of their family. Surprisingly our week long trip coincided with that of their annual festival of witches and witchcraft. To which many came not to practice or participate but more so out of curiosity and good food and dance. Their were nightly performances from a wide variety of sorts. One night the whole town gathered for local performers, and the resulting show resembled that of our roadshows. It was quite entertaining however. Youth came out in their best
look and strolled the town nightly with or without the company of parents it didn't really matter. Friendly and curious people who definitely were not accustomed to seeing tourists or Americans strolling the town. Santiago's town square features the largest found Olmec head. Most famed sight near the little town is that of the waterfall used in Mel Gibson's Apocalypto. Its truly a wonder how much water is springs forth from this hill and all the surrounding areas. We
came across a doctors house that had been built near a 30 foot deep ravine was cut into the ground by a spring. He had built pools and patios to accompany a good stretch
of this spring where the water would flow and fall through his pools. He even built a suspension bridge to cross the ravine that would sway and scare any who dared cross it. After a day or two getting a good understanding of roads around the hill and road up to the hill we began closer studies and began asking locals what they knew about the hill. We would then go into detail about the history that we knew of the mountain and explain that is the reason why this hill is of interest to us.
That two civilizations battled to the death here and only one walked away. We found a small town nestled high on the hill name El Mirador, which translates to The Lookout. They told us that on clear days you were able to see the ocean a good 30 40 miles off. Locals there knew of old Olmec ruins and waterfalls that few knew of or traveled to. So we made arrangements for them to guild us to such places. Whether it be through jest or superstition they told stories of weird creatures spotted on the mountain and of caves opening up to those passing by and even told of those that had lived there before and their deep connection and understanding
with the heavens. They were a truly humble people. They cooked on wood flame ten feet from a gas stove because any meal tastes better on flame and the gas is their for emergencies only such as the wood being wet. We arranged to eat with them and learned the traditional way of making corn tortillas by hand. And a stack of 30 or so would easily be consumed every meal. Even by hand each tortilla came out to be about the same size. And the kitchen would be ran by three generations of cooks. Grandma and grand daughter side by side in the kitchen mean
zero mistakes and knowledge is passed down the generations. Beautiful thing. In exploring the area we also came across a small village who had put common knowledge to us into sign form for all to learn as they went about daily chores or as they went to school or anywhere in the town. Signs that discouraged alcohol and tobacco while promoting good eating and exercise. Brush your teeth three times a day while others read wash your fruits and vegetables before you eat them. All home made and fashioned from wood and paint. We also found a cool spot on the side of the road that quickly became a favorite spot for finding bits and pieces of old pottery and obsidian. Upon review from experts some pieces were dated with 400 A.D., around the end of the Book of M
ormon, and others at 1000 B.C., known as Olmec or better understood as Jaredite times. We were also led to an Olmec monolith about five or so feet tall that had fallen over through the years, but once stood with a face that looked into the sun. Good eats, good times had, good practice of spanish, and good to learn more about the Book of Mormon in its homeland. Tell next time good night.
February brought another Book of Mormon adventure as father, son(myself), and family friend David Reese, returned to supposed sight of first hill cumorah: hill vigia. Meeting each other in Los Angeles a
irport we continued on our to Mexico City, with connecting flight to Veracruz, and an hour long drive, thanks to Hertz, we found that we had traveled a considerable length into the past upon reaching destined Santiago Tuxtla. A quaint town nestled in a valley just off the gulf south of Veracruz, Santiago played home to the greatest of people; those who would gather to play instruments in the park
nightly, to those who ran hill ward for their soccer team, and to those who's utmost concern was that of the well being of their family. Surprisingly our week long trip coincided with that of their annual festival of witches and witchcraft. To which many came not to practice or participate but more so out of curiosity and good food and dance. Their were nightly performances from a wide variety of sorts. One night the whole town gathered for local performers, and the resulting show resembled that of our roadshows. It was quite entertaining however. Youth came out in their best
look and strolled the town nightly with or without the company of parents it didn't really matter. Friendly and curious people who definitely were not accustomed to seeing tourists or Americans strolling the town. Santiago's town square features the largest found Olmec head. Most famed sight near the little town is that of the waterfall used in Mel Gibson's Apocalypto. Its truly a wonder how much water is springs forth from this hill and all the surrounding areas. We
came across a doctors house that had been built near a 30 foot deep ravine was cut into the ground by a spring. He had built pools and patios to accompany a good stretch of this spring where the water would flow and fall through his pools. He even built a suspension bridge to cross the ravine that would sway and scare any who dared cross it. After a day or two getting a good understanding of roads around the hill and road up to the hill we began closer studies and began asking locals what they knew about the hill. We would then go into detail about the history that we knew of the mountain and explain that is the reason why this hill is of interest to us. 
That two civilizations battled to the death here and only one walked away. We found a small town nestled high on the hill name El Mirador, which translates to The Lookout. They told us that on clear days you were able to see the ocean a good 30 40 miles off. Locals there knew of old Olmec ruins and waterfalls that few knew of or traveled to. So we made arrangements for them to guild us to such places. Whether it be through jest or superstition they told stories of weird creatures spotted on the mountain and of caves opening up to those passing by and even told of those that had lived there before and their deep connection and understanding 
with the heavens. They were a truly humble people. They cooked on wood flame ten feet from a gas stove because any meal tastes better on flame and the gas is their for emergencies only such as the wood being wet. We arranged to eat with them and learned the traditional way of making corn tortillas by hand. And a stack of 30 or so would easily be consumed every meal. Even by hand each tortilla came out to be about the same size. And the kitchen would be ran by three generations of cooks. Grandma and grand daughter side by side in the kitchen mean
zero mistakes and knowledge is passed down the generations. Beautiful thing. In exploring the area we also came across a small village who had put common knowledge to us into sign form for all to learn as they went about daily chores or as they went to school or anywhere in the town. Signs that discouraged alcohol and tobacco while promoting good eating and exercise. Brush your teeth three times a day while others read wash your fruits and vegetables before you eat them. All home made and fashioned from wood and paint. We also found a cool spot on the side of the road that quickly became a favorite spot for finding bits and pieces of old pottery and obsidian. Upon review from experts some pieces were dated with 400 A.D., around the end of the Book of M
ormon, and others at 1000 B.C., known as Olmec or better understood as Jaredite times. We were also led to an Olmec monolith about five or so feet tall that had fallen over through the years, but once stood with a face that looked into the sun. Good eats, good times had, good practice of spanish, and good to learn more about the Book of Mormon in its homeland. Tell next time good night.
