to read - Jaltemba Bay Life

PRAYERS TO THE GUARDIANWe left Guayabitos and drove along Highway200, which slowly winds from sea level to about3,000 feet at the town of Tepic. Approaching anarea called La Noriega, we saw what appearedto be a small shrine or altar built among sometowering boulders and trees.We pulled over to explore the site; there werehundreds of candles burning inside smallenclosures built within the altar shrine. As Iwalked closer to the altar, the sunlight glared offthe ground in a way that resembled slippery ice. Isaw that many years and thousands of candleshad spilled over from these little altars onto theground creating a wax floor. Among thesecandles were many religious statues, pictures,rosaries, crucifixes, medallions, plastic flowers,and offerings. The structure was painted yellowand seemed to be a place were people asked forblessings for those traveling and those whonever reached their destination. Written on acardboard box there was the phrase: ”from thepadre of the Mexican Judicial Federal Police.” Itcontained about ten candles. I lit one and placedit on the altar. As I started to pull back my hand I