1894 
Obatitlan 
(Vera Cruz) 
April 
Chaoatiangui* 
this belt from here to the coast is so low that much of the ground is 
( t . t 4 v- . y * " ‘ i ' v » \ ' ' ’ ' *■ •* - r y '* * ”, '' * ‘ i _ -h a \ • -j A r ■ •. • • 1 i , * " * v » « i r 
constantly damp and is over flowed in sumer season this area would be¬ 
long to the arid tropical belt. As it is, the higher ground is dry and 
partakes of the arid tropical in many of its vegetable and animal prod- 
| V t * -J ••• V \ • • C " . r ' * * ' 
uotions, The people are already coming here to pay devotions to the 
holy Image and every day sees Indians in the white shirt and trousers 
among the men, and with white skirt and a long loose chemise-like garment 
with flowing sleeves, often richly embroidered, worn by the women. These 
are the costumes from Amatlan, near Cordoba mainly. 
The Indians often bring a bunch of flowers that frequently have been 
dried and brought a long distance. These were heaped about the base of 
a large stone cross in front of the church. They then enter the church, 
after kneeling and crossing themselves at the cross, and kneel close to 
the door limiting each one a wax taper. After praying they advance to 
the altar on their knees, halting 14 times to represent the 14 stations 
of the cross, and the lighted taper is then put in one of tho sockets 
arranged for than at foot of altar. This ends the devotion unless for 
some cause the pilgrim remains on his knees for some time, During the 
time of tliis pilgrimage drunkenness and gambling and allied forms of 
amusement are everywhere in the town. Three days are put in as the 
special time devoted to this image with the flourishing vices that attend 
these exhibitions of piety. The town is supplied with water from the 
river, 
April 19* Returned to Chacatianguis by wagon and took the steamer 
down the river to Tlaootalpara where we arrived about dark, 
April 23* Left Tlaootalpam on a small propeller launch for the dis¬ 
trict about San Andres Tuxtla, The route led first up the Rio San Juan 
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