Talk:San Rafael La Independencia

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{{WikiProject Central America|class=stub|importance=low MY HUSBAND WAS BORN IN ALDEA INCU SAN RAFAEL DE INDEPENDENCIA, WHICH IS AN INDIAN VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS ABOVE THE TOWN OF SAN RAFAEL. SAN RAFAEL IS NAMED FOR RAFAEL,THE GUARDIAN ANGEL, WHO IS SEEN AS A PHYSICIAN OF GOD.MY HUSBAND AS WELL IS NAMED FOR THE ARCHANGEL RAFAEL. THE TOWN OF SAN RAFAEL IS LOCATED IN THE CUCHAMATANES MOUNTAINS AND THE CLIMATE IS VERY SPRINGLIKE, WITH DAYS BEING QUITE WARM, BUT AS EVENING NEARS THE TEMPERATURE BEGINS TO DROP, SO THAT A SWEATER OR JACKET IS NECESSARY. MOST OF THE HOUSES IN SAN RAFAEL ARE CEMENT BLOCK AND THERE ARE NOW SEVERAL TWO STORY HOUSES, DUE TO THE FACT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE RELATIVES IN THE U.S.,WHO SEND MONEY BACK TO FAMILY IN SAN RAFAEL.HOUSES IN SAN RAFAEL FOR THE MOST PART, DO HAVE ELECTRICITY AND MOST OF THEM DO HAVE INDOOR WATER AS WELL, ALTHOUGH MOST HOUSES STILL RELY ON OUTHOUSES/PRIVIES. MOST DISHWASHING AND LAUNDRY ARE DONE OUTSIDE ON A CONCRETE SINK/RUB-BOARD CONTRAPTION SET UP IN THE YARD. BATHING IS DONE IN THE TRADITIONAL SWEAT LODGE, WHICH IS A SMALL BLOCK BUILDING, BEHIND THE HOME. IT IS BUILT A LITTLE BELOW GROUND, SO THAT YOU HAVE TO STEP DOWN A COUPLE OF STEPS TO ENTER IT. THERE IS A WOODFIRE IN THE CORNER WHERE ROCKS ARE HEATED. THE BATHER IS PROVIDED WITH A FIVE GALLON BUCKET OF WATER, SOAP, AND PINE BOUGH SWITCHES(TO FAN THE FLAMES).THE EFFECT IS VERY MUCH LIKE A SAUNA. COOKING IS DONE ON A WOODSTOVE MADE FROM CONCRETE BLOCKS AND GRATES, CALLED A PLANCHA. THERE ARE A LOT OF LITTLE STORES,SEVERAL DEALING IN VARIOUS PLASTIC WARES MADE IN CHINA. THERE ARE SMALL HOTELS, CANTINAS,BAKERIES, DENTISTS, A PHARMACY,TORTILLA SHOPS AND THE EVER PRESENT STORE THAT SELLS PHONE CARDS. THE MAIN MARKET DAY IN SAN RAFAEL IS ON THURSDAY, BUT MANY OF SAN RAFAEL'S INHABITANTS ALSO LOVE TO GO TO THE NEARBY VILLAGE OF SAN MIGUEL FOR THEIR SLIGHTLY BIGGER MARKET. SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO OWN VANS, MAKE MONEY BY ACTING AS A TAXI SERVICE, TAKING PEOPLE FROM village to village. THESE VEHICLES ARE CALLED CARS, NO MATTER HOW LARGE THEY ARE. THERE IS ALSO BUS SERVICE TO GUATEMALA CITY AND HUEHUETENANGO,PROVIDED BY BUSES KNOWN LOCALLY AS CAMIONETAS.THERE ARE SEVERAL COMEDORES IN SAN RAFAEL, WHICH IS A SORT OF RESTUARANT RUN OUT OF A HOME. MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE QUITE FRIENDLY AND ARE WILLING TO HELP, ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE OLDER PEOPLE ARE NOT FOND OF CAMERAS, EVEN IF WEILDED BY THEIR ON COUNTRYMEN. MANY ARE STILL VERY SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT SUCH THINGS AS PICTURES AND GREAT CARE SHOULD BE USED AND PERMISSION SHOULD ALWAYS BE ASKED BEFORE TAKING PHOTOS. THERE ARE SEVERAL FIESTAS CELEBRATED IN SAN RAFAEL....ONE OF WHICH IS THE FIESTA OF SAN RAFAEL,WHICH INCLUDES A PROCESSION CARRYING THE SAINT SAN RAFAEL THROUGH THE VILLAGE AS WELL AS MARIMBA MUSIC AND DANCING AND MUCH DRINKING. THE OTHER FIESTAS CELEBRATED THERE ARE TODOS SANTOS( FOR SOME REASON IT IS CALLED ROSANTA, BY THE PEOPLE. ),AND the FIESTA OF CANDELARIA,WHICH HONORS THE SAINT CANDELARIA. THE PEOPLE OF SAN RAFAEL ARE FOR THE MOST PART, INDIGENOUS MAYANS,WHO SPEAK KHANGOBAHL, ALTHOUGH MOST MEN DO SPEAK SOME SPANISH, MOST WOMEN STILL SPEAK ONLY KHANGOBAHL.(THERE ARE OTHER SPELLINGS FOR THIS LANGUAGE).````