Regardless of how I may feel about the marimba, this instrument and its waling sound are very important to Guatemalans all over. For instance, this school band parade did not begin marching until the marimba arrived. What are your feelings about marimba music? Video coming soon… [bliptv]1180827[/bliptv]
I know that Guatemalan Danzas and Bailes Tradicionales are an integral part of the folklore and culture of Guatemala, but I must admit I know very little about them. These traditional dances are so important that many people are documenting, writing and publishing books about them. I happen to know one of them and next … Read more
Sure, you say, the traje indígena is a far out outfit, but are there really symbols encoded in these garments? Once again, I will let Julia Montoya answer: “An ever present motif is the zig-zag horizontal stripe, which in Kaqchikel is called Kumatz (serpent or snake). There is also the star or flower which has … Read more
Lo que no se conoce no se ama One can not love what one does not know — Julia Montoya Source: Interview to Julia Montoya, author of With their hands and their eyes in Revista Domingo, September 7, 2007 {ñ} What I admire the most from the indigenous people of Guatemala is their resilience. They … Read more
Last week, as we watch the delegations parade at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Inauguration, I was thinking how wonderful it was to see so many different and unique national dresses from the many countries around the world. Some of the delegations opted for a no-frills-western-style tie-shirt-suit formal dress code, while others chose to show off … Read more
Not only in walls can you find textures in La Antigua Guatemala; sometimes even wooden beams can provide moth-eaten textures. If you remember the humble Wood Texture from a Beam, you will know how much pleasure a mundane wooden beam can produce. Today’s photo as downloadable wallpaper (1200×900 pixels) was taken by looking up at … Read more
I could spend a good hour photographing all aspects of La Tienda de Doña Gavi and perhaps bring you a series… but I won’t; I promise I will only post two more wallpapers. Today’s wallpaper, like yesterday’s, is take from the broken up wall at Doña Gavi Store. You can download the 1200×900 wallpaper from … Read more
In September 2007, I brought to you the façade and sign of La Tienda de Doña Gavi, remember? Today I bring to you a yellow-red wallpaper for your computer desktop, which you can download from here at 1200×900 pixels. I hope you like it and use it for at least a day. 😉
We all live in a yellow house Yellow house, yellow house We all live in a yellow house Yellow house, yellow house And our friends are all on board Many more of them live next door And the band begins to play Here’s yellow to complete the olympic colors from yesterday’s photo, which only had … Read more
Here’s one more entry to feed the Color palette category. You can see red, green, blue, and black… ah, let’s see what event starting tomorrow will be using those colors plus yellow?
More than once I have explained my method of taking photographs around La Antigua Guatemala. Back in April 23rd, 207, I explained how I was able to capture one of my better images entitled Monk in San Francisco El Grande Church by framing until I was happy with the photo and then waiting for the … Read more
Sure, La Antigua Guatemala is a nearly-quincentennial city and you may be inclined to believe after some strolls around Antigua that nothing has changed since 1773. Wrong, La Antigua Guatemala is alive and healthy and nearly everyday something changes and the more often you walk around Antigua the more often you notice things that weren’t … Read more
This façade belongs to self-titled Casa de los Paso on Calle de los Pasos (Street of the Steps). You can see several elements of the Antigüeño Architectonic style, such as the ivy covering the wall, the old wooden door, lamp, doorbell or intercom, the broken-show-me-your-guts façade; that’s it, simple isn’t it? Do you know why … Read more
Your comments and feedback are very important and often show me the way for future posts or follow ups. Such was the case about telephones, wifi (wireless internet access) and more recently the ik word (hot or spicy in Maya) which Manolo was kind to share its meaning and etymology. Furthermore, I normally try to … Read more
