Ladies washing and drying clothes at the Macal River banks, long ago
This shows the hardship that women endured in days gone bye. By the river under the bright sun.
This was a task that had to be done in the river. No water supply for homes in San Ignacio, No washing machines in sight.
This is what I found in 1958. when I assumed the administration of the Twin Towns.
There was no piped water, so clothes had to be washed by the river and beaten on big stones.
It was a pity to see ladies from up the hill, with a bowl of clothes coming down to the river to wash, and then taking it back home UP THE HILL.
BUT in 1962 all that sacrifice ended when we installed a modern Water Supply.
WHO COULD AFFORD it paid 25 cents to fill a drum. BUT with the modern supply, all we charged then was 80 cents a month.
Photograph courtesy Hector Silva
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