For Whom the Bell Tolls?

… it tolls for thee.

No man is an island, entire of itself… any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne (1572-1631)

Perhaps you guys are right, this site is actually yours and I am only the care taker; the person in charge of feeding it. I shall continue for a while longer.

I want to thank all you for your wonderful feedback. Believe it, your comments and feedback are the only compass that I have to know this site is useful to someone out there. The only way to know that I should continue sharing my findings.

I have maintained this site for 426 days without any interruptions or breaks; there are close to 600 photos describing many aspects of life in La Antigua Guatemala and Guatemala in general. I have aspired to give you a blog-documentary (blogumentary) of the peoples, traditions, history, cultural hindsight, architecture, monuments, ruins, streets, et-cetera of La Antigua Guatemala. I have tried to not make this a touristic site; although sometimes it is difficult since LAG is the touristic capital of northern Central America. I have put so many of my twisted opinions and points of views; maybe I should do less of that and just focus in describing the photographs. Also, please excuse all the typos and spelling errors.

Special thanks to the two people who donated towards the hosting bills. Please, send me your mailing address, so I can mail you some post cards made from the photographs found in this site.

Oops! I almost forgot about the photo above. These ruins belong to the church Our Lady of the Remedies, or Nuestra Señora de los Remedios in Spanish. It is located on the left bank of El Pensativo river, on the south part of town, right on the street that takes you to El Calvario Church; just a few hundred feet from it. The processional figures in storage, shown yesterday, are pile on the front part of the atrium. There is a black bird in the picture, can you find it?

12 Responses to "For Whom the Bell Tolls?"

Sompopo says:
June 29, 2007 at 6:30 am
I love old ruins and buildings like this. I always try to imagine what it was like back then for the people who built them. The architectural talent is amazing.
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Brian Fain says:
June 29, 2007 at 6:52 am
Truly, thank you so much for keeping up the site. I check in every day. It makes me realize how much we missed when were there. We can’t wait to go back to visit, but in the meantime, you are keeping Antigua alive in our hearts.
Thank you!
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Tom says:
June 29, 2007 at 7:42 am
Rudy, I want to add my voice to the many others who love what you’re doing and appreciate your diligence in keeping us in touch with the most hauntingly beautiful city in the world. I hope you can find the energy and time to continue. By the way, your photos of the statues in Remedios made me chuckle because one time I walked past there on my way to El Calvario and statues were grouped outside and at first it looked like “saints taking a coffee break.” Yes, keep giving your slant on things; that’s important. It’s like a personal message from La Antigua that way. I eagerly look forward to your daily photo each day. Muchas gracias! Tomd
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Tom says:
June 29, 2007 at 7:43 am
Rudy, I want to add my voice to the many others who love what you’re doing and appreciate your diligence in keeping us in touch with the most hauntingly beautiful city in the world. I hope you can find the energy and time to continue. By the way, your photos of the statues in Remedios made me chuckle because one time I walked past there on my way to El Calvario and statues were grouped outside and at first it looked like “saints taking a coffee break.” Yes, keep giving your slant on things; that’s important. It’s like a personal message from La Antigua that way. I eagerly look forward to your daily photo each day. Muchas gracias! Tom
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Vero says:
June 29, 2007 at 8:36 am
I echo Tom’s comment on continuing to add your personal opinions on the pictures you take–after all you are the artist. Thanks again for maintaining the site.
Today’s picture brings back a lot of memories. I always get a sense of tranquility from looking at the ruins in LAG–I suppose it’s because I associate LAG with relaxing-Sunday-afternoon strolls through the streets of LAG, condeza coffee and chocolate cake, and the laughter and smiles of my family as we take in the old city’s beauty together.
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Carolyn says:
June 29, 2007 at 10:23 am
I think you can multiple these eloquent comments about your site by at least 100 to represent those of us who never respond. I am interested in learning how I can donate towards the hosting bills. I bet alot of your faithful readers would like to help.
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Lessie says:
June 29, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I love the view of the sky through the building — beautiful.
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Susan says:
June 29, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Rudy, I really appreciate and value this site but you also need to have a Life. What if you changed it to WEEKLY photo? I’m sure your readers/viewers will understand and still really appreciate it.
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Coltrane_lives says:
June 29, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Nice photo and narrative. Also, a great title for a Hemingway book…or is that a title for a great Hemingway book? I’m glad you haven’t given up this blog. Cheers and gracias,Rudy!
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Julio says:
June 29, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Rudy, your opinion and description is half of what makes the picture enjoyable. Great picture.
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Cameron says:
June 29, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Rudy,
I guess I am one of your donors, as I sent you a contribution over a year ago. I actually have a house next to the Revue. I remememer Antigua as far back as 25 yrs. ago when my grandmother was still alive. Though I have been coming to Guate every year for only a few weeks at a time, I will be spending several months there in the future. I will look you up on my next visit. Thank you for all your great photos and commentary.
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Rudy says:
June 30, 2007 at 1:06 am
Sompopo, if you check the entry for June 29th, 2007; you can get a pretty good idea.
Brian, The good thing is that can always come back, as often as you desire, and make sure I am not forgetting anything.
Tom, I guess a coffee break is a better description since there’s coffee trees all around those ruins.
Vero, that’s such a descriptive anecdote. That is exactly what I meant to capture when I did Everybody walks in La Antigua and Strolls in Antigua.
Carolyn, there are two donation buttons on the top of the sidebar, just below the search form.
Lessie, too bad we are in the rainy season again, otherwise the sky would be blue.
Susan, what I will do is try to have more daily photos programmed ahead so it is not such chore to be behind the computer every single day. You guys will have to excuse me if I am not responding comments as often though.
Coltrane, for sure Hemingway was so moved by John Donne’s texts that he felt compelled to use it as a GREAT title for a GREAT novel. ¿Por quién doblan las campanas?
Julio, well I am not too sure about that, maybe my description clutter the otherwise clean imagery.
Cameron, well, I was talking about the two people who donated two days ago. Nonetheless, I thank you too for your previous donation.
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