Between November 4th and November 10th of 2021 I visited San Cristóbal de las Casas.  A magical Mexican town situated on the central plateau of the Chiapas Highlands, at an elevation of 6,900 feet (2,100 metres) and settled by the Spanish around the1500’s.  But long before the Spanish settled here, the area was inhabited for hundreds of years by the Tzotzil people, who trace their roots back to the Mayan Indians.  Tzotzil, meaning “people of the bat” make up the majority of the people of this valley.  Strongly independent , the Tzotzil have their own language (rooted in Mayan), religion, timezone, government  and are autonomous from the Mexican government.  They practice a unique religion that blends traditional beliefs with Catholicism that features animal sacrifice, shamans, fireworks and fizzy drinks.