Flor de Pascua, Flor de Noche Buena or simply Pascuas are how poinsettias are known in Guatemala. Poinsettias are native to Guatemala and Mesoamerica and in general can be found in the wild or in gardens as undocumented aliens. Poinsettias or Flor de Pascua are in full bloom in The Land of the Eternal Spring … Read more
The chamomile rings are known as manzanilla in Guatemala (tejocotes in Mexican Spanish). The aroma of a Guatemalan Christmas decoration is provided mainly by the chamomile rings and the pine needles (used as carpets). Other scents around the Christmas season in Guatemala come off from the tamales, ponche (fruit punch) and hot authentic chocolate. The … Read more
Pino is the name by which Guatemalans refer to the pine needles used as Christmas decorations, specifically, to spread around the floor and nacimientos. Pine needles and the chamomile rings provide the scent for a typical Guatemalan Navidad (Christmas).
Chicuyas is the name by which Guatemalans name the part of the pine tree, which I don’t its English name (can you help me with the English name for part of the pine tree). The pine tree provides many elements of the Christmas decorations for Guatemalans, like the pine needle that is spread on the … Read more
Sometimes in your way to work, you just have to stop, take a deep breath and sip from your cup of coffee from La Antigua Guatemala and enjoy the scenery around el Tanque de la Unión. Sometimes you just have to take all the wonderful light and color on the dry season in La Antigua … Read more
It just occurred to me that the United States is one of the largest Spanish-speaking countries since it has one of the largest populations of Spanish speakers. Spanish has been spoken in the U.S. from a time before its independence. And at the rate at which the Spanish-speaking population grows, faster than any other, you may have to hablar español sooner or después. Remember that you can always come to La Antigua Guatemala to take Spanish classes in the more than 65 Spanish Schools available in this tiny colonial town.
So after the Burning of the Devil is over and the set up of the Nacimientos has already began, we can assume the Christmas season will be in full steam and that means the Guatemalan fairs will mushroom onto the main squares of every town and city. In the picture above, we cought a glimpse … Read more
I am playing with the rojos, as always, so you play the cremas. 😉 If there are more people willing to play, we can form teams… don’t worry I will pay for all the games, no matter how many matches we all play. I am feeling a little kindhearted lately. If you want to play, … Read more
The official date for the commencement of the Christmas season in Guatemala is December 8th, although many malls and commercial centers, imitating the businesses from up north, begin decorating for Christmas right after Independence Day, celebrated in Guatemala on September 15th. With the Feast for the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, people … Read more
Okay, let me break the bad news to you guys. The Burning of the Devil tradition in Guatemala is disappearing. Even though, I read a couple articles about La quema del diablo (Burning of the Devil) in the national newspapers, when I finally decided to go out to the streets to photograph the celebration, I … Read more
Would you like to be the proud owner of this chicken bus junk yard? I take only serious offers… Tomorrow, December 7th, Guatemalans will be celebrating the Burning of Devil. Stay tune for coverage of the event.
A quick trip to the handicrafts market provides a handful of colorful images like the one above. Stay tune for upcoming photos from the folk art market and nacimientos.
If you come to this web site looking for artistic or touristic photographs from Guatemala, you’ve come in vein because here you can only find “everyday images” from La Antigua Guatemala. Today’s image is no exception. As a matter of fact, I captured the golden kitten petting his best friend, the chucho, while out buying … Read more
The above sign about ZONA WIFI (wifi zone) now on display on the four corners of the Plaza Mayor (Main Plaza) of La Antigua Guatemala is an initiative from local Municipalidad (City Hall) to provide FREE Internet wireless access; that’s what zona wifi really mean. As far as I know, with this FREE wifi zone … Read more
Given the main ingredients above, can you name the Guatemalan sauce that will be prepared? Happy Birthday Chata! (I-heart-U).