Reading the Popol Vuh’s first half of the book was calming and soothing to the mind, after missing Mexico, I think I needed some wisdom, and stories from ancient Mayan. It’s one of those moments where some words or lines in the book can describe you and the thoughts your having, and in these moments I feel I am in the right place at the right time! Being able to read about creation through a different lens than what I was taught in school is very refreshing. I originally was raised in a catholic christian school from grades 1-12, and then attended university after, so I was never able to read about these stories before in this context. Although I still am a Christian, It still is interesting to read about how Mexican creation is told through books. One thing I really appreciate is learning new languages, and if I can find new words in spanish then I am one step closer to being able to hold a conversation and make more friends from Mexico and worldwide. I love the names of the Volcanoes in the seven Macaw’s, and the names throughout the first half of the book so far. If you have sibilings then i’m sure you can relate to Hunahpu, and Xbalanque, and the story in this book, and for me I can relate, if they are brothers, and if i’m reading this correctly. The story of their father is also striking dejavu for me. As you progress more into the reading, you do realize they are telling a story here, in all the poems, not just one, and it’s nice to see connection in all of them. I will say it’s a bit different than most books i’ve read, or poem collections i’ve seen, but overall I do enjoy the stories so far, I think people should have an open mind when reading the Popol Vuh, and patience, at times it can feel unclear what is happening in the poems, or whose character is what, and which names belong to which characters, but there is still connection throughout the poems. There’s some grim tales that speak about death and dying, and bloodshed, and suffering, and sacrifice, but that is Mexican culture and in their history, there is this blood splattering narrative for sure! I’ll do my best to continue reading and hopefully can piece together more of the story next week, and by then have a better idea of the novel itself, and be able to know more historical texts from 1500-onwards. thanks for including this in the course, its a great start!