AntiguaDailyPhoto.Com

Normally, every photo at AntiguaDailyPhoto.Com comes with a caption, a narrative or even a story. Not always, the story is about the photo itself and almost never the narrative is the story behind the photo. Today’s an exception.

I went to one of the banks around Parque Central to do some mandados, errands, and when I was done, I went to get my shoes shined before heading back to the office. I found a nice spot with shade near the fountain of Las Sirenas, and began making small talk to the lustradores, shoe shinners, while one of them work hard. Then, I noticed the young woman above right across from where we were sitting taking photos of the shoe shinners and the indigenous women selling artesanías, handicrafts, on our side. She was timid and pulled her camera swiftly, took the photos and put it away before anyone can say cheese. Not extraordinary here; this happens dozens of times any given day in Central Park in and around La Antigua Guatemala. It was only until she picked up Nuestro Diario, Our Daily literally, the most sensationalist newspaper in Central America and the one with biggest distribution between Mexico and Colombia, that I decided to pull my own camera and record the extraordinary vista. I took my time since I am little more experienced at this photo taking business, you know, I captured perhaps six or seven different shots. You have probably seen some of them in the Antigua News Tweets. Oh I really like the feel and movement of this image for a number of reasons.

As I have said before, “Well, I don’t have enough words to describe the feeling or “puncture” I derive from this photograph as Roland Barthes calls it in his book Camera Lucida. The interesting part about photography is that we are all affected or tickled by different things. This photo might not do anything for you.” It punctures me dearly!

When was the last time you visited the Color palette category? Well, I know I fed it exactly one month ago. Talking about feeding and eating, well, todays color palette goes very well with Guatemalan caldos, surely you know what caldos are, right?

Now that we are on the subject of caldos and Guatemalan cuisine; I have some questions for you. Here we go:

• What is your favorite Guatemalan caldo?
• What is your favorite caldo from anywhere?
• When was the last time you had caldo and what kind was it?
• What’s the difference between caldos and soups?
• Can you cook a caldo all by yourself, which one?

If we get at least fifteen replies, I will answer all those questions myself as well; even though it may be considered over-sharing.

Today it is your turn to do the caption for this street photo of a mother and son bonding in La Antigua Guatemala. Create a story or caption to go with the photo above. Simple, heh?!

It is not unusual to see people riding horses within the streets of La Antigua Guatemala. Some of the horses have been trained to do so gracefully that is a pleasure to watch them go by. Such is the case of this white horse and the jockey that ride as one with refinement and suave stride.

If you have seen this white horse being, what did you think of it?

NEW AntiguaDailyPhoto Forums: Some of you might have already noticed the spanking brand New Forums for AntiguaDailyPhoto. If you haven’t, please, check out the option Antigua Forums under the main menu as well as the Forums 10 Last Discussions on the sidebar. The new forums are fully integrated with AntiguaDailyPhoto so by registering it will also become easier to post comments and feedback since you will not have to enter your details every single time. The forums will also be the perfect spot to share tips and experiences with your fellow members. Every registered user is also capable of posting new topics and answers. Please, if you have some extra time this week, stop by the forums and let us know what you think and what you like to see there as well. We’ll see you at the AntiguaDailyPhot Forums!

One of Antigua’s many attractions is slowly discovering the piled and jumbled beauty of ruined buildings scattered throughout the old city. The romanticism and nostalgia of shattered architecture has always drawn traveler’s and tourists to places such as these- from the 19 Century grand tours taken by Europeans through Ancient Greece and Rome- to present day seekers of lost cities in the Guatemalan jungles. These half remembered places of the imagination hold a nostalgic and irresistible fascination for us, with their gaping windows and palimpsest scarred walls holding up nothing but empty sky and stars. These are places where episodes of history become entangled with our dreams- where stories and fables are as intricately woven together as the creeping vegetation that threatens to overwhelm the architecture itself. The effects of time, events, catastrophe, and nature have all worked away at the stones as a sculptor might, creating in the end, physical poetry.

text and photos by Michele Woodey.

Luscious rivers of colour, in every hue imaginable pour through La Antigua over Holy week. Ultramarine, cobalt blue, lime yellow, day-glow orange, deep rich purples, and blood reds, all in myriad shades flow into endless combinations over the cobblestone canvas of the street. The heaped bags and bowls of rich colour remind me of the work of Anish Kapoor, in particular his early sculptural pieces made of pure molded pigment. Joyful, intense and yet playful they invite us to touch – as do the alfombras – and yet to do so, would also ruin their fragile perfection. The inspiration for the organic forms of his sculpture and installations often springs from the shape of seeds, grasses, and spores which signify the beginning of life and are in stark contrast to his other influence- the wayside altars and shrines found throughout India. A deep rooted connection with the rhythms of nature, and the transformative power of birth, death and regeneration, link the themes of his artwork with the Celebrations of Easter. And of spring, the rains and the beginning of a new life cycle…

text and photos by Michele Woodey.

If you walk around La Antigua Guatemala, quite regularly, you come across groups of tourists taking tours of the city to learn about the streets, the ruins, the museums, the art galleries, the legends, and of course, the history. There are plenty of businesses in town which provide Antigua tours. Have you ever taken of these Antigua tours yourself?

Often, also, I have wondered what is the difference between a tourist and a traveler; can you help me understand?

I am glad to report the good news that Jean Ramses Anleu Fernández, better known as @jeanfer is free and happy since the case against him was found to be without merits. Some of you may recall that back on May 14th I brought you the sad news that Jeanfer was being arrested and fined Q50,000/$6250 over a single tweet update of indignation.

Back in 2007, I posted about the Six Degrees of Separation I had experienced through the AntiguaDailyPhoto. More recently, Ivan Mendoza mentioned that here in Guatemala only Three Degrees Separation applies since you don’t need too many links to get to know everyone. How true that turned out to be since after the infamous incident with Jeanfer, I actually got to know him personally and was lucky enough to take some photos of him in two separate occasions; one of them right here in La Antigua Guatemala.

Last Saturday, 4th of July, Independence Day weekend, I recognized Jean Ramses Anleu Fernández, the mild-mannered, book-loving, code-writing geek as Xeni Jardin calls him, reading a couple of books on one of the benches in the Parque Central of La Antigua Guatemala. Below, two of the series of photographs I took of Jeanfer while we talk about politics, democracy, freedom of speech and the realty in Guatemala.

I am in a very good mood to know he’s free and the charges have been dropped because the lack merits. I am also delighted that I have been so lucky to have captured him with a big smile on his face.

What do you think of these portraits of Jeanfer?

Believe it or not, I like framing. It is one of things I like to do most while taking photographs around La Antigua Guatemala. I began very humbly; framing little things like shadows. Then I framed a monk and a complete tower of a church. Soon I continued framing whole groups of people. Eventually I said to myself, oh what the heck, let’s try to frame a entire street. Once that’s been done, framing the moon seems quite possible. After the moon, framing a moving bicycle or a kid running doesn’t seem like a challenge anymore.

So, framing fuming volcanoes appears to be quite simple nowadays.

Can you tell me where the above photograph was taken and what was used as a frame?

The City of La Antigua Guatemala is, for me, completely coloured by my experience of life as an artist. Often out of all the photographs I take, the ones that end up “speaking” back to me with the most intensity are those expressed abstractly through the language of line, colour, movement, form, surface and texture. In this image of a night Procession during Holy Week, the literal, representational image is almost completely dissolved by movement and light. What remains are traces of light distilled into line, a ghostly record of time passing and the impermanence of things. The Italian “Futurists” were particularly interested in finding ways to depict movement and speed through the use of repetitious painterly marks on the canvas.

In other images from Antigua perhaps it is the intensity of a colour combination, the beauty of a chance arrangement, or the quality of line which first attracts the eye. The whole history of Art can be found in Antigua and for me a creative energy resides and resonates there as a powerful living force, just waiting to be expressed into being. Maybe this a part of what draws so many people to Guatemala, this vital life energy, which is palpable in the streets, in the air itself, and manifested so strongly in its rituals, customs and people.

text and photos by Michele Woodey.

About Guest Contributor: Michele Woodey is an artist and painter living in Toronto. She is also “half” of a creative collaboration” known as “Fiona Hoop”. Michele is art editor, writer and contributor to Loudestgirl.com out of Miami, Florida. Fiona Hoop intends to set up studio in Antigua in the near future.

If you are a tourist just passing through for a couple days you are probably not one to find time to discover and appreciate the stunning view from Cerro de la Cruz. But, locals, ex-pats, Spanish students and the traveler who kicks off his shoes and stays awhile eventually find themselves huffing up the winding road to Cerro Santo Domingo. I wonder if the lookout point has been dubbed “make-out point.” This couple is certainly enjoying the ambience of the hilltop vista. Can’t say I blame them…

text and photo by Laura McNamara.

The total amount of time I’ve spent within La Antigua Guatemala so far isn’t much, just several months. But, from what I can tell, it’s not too common to spot masked men cruising around on big, shiny choppers in the old, Spanish-styled colonial city. The skeleton mask caught my eye from across Parque Central. Who is this masked man? Is he an antigüeño or is he just a mysterious visitor passing through? Perhaps his chopper and mask are well-known throughout town. Can anyone identify the masked biker?

text and photo by Laura McNamara.

I can’t count the number of times my mother chastised me for slouching throughout my childhood. A few times she even succeeded in convincing me to practice walking with a book on my head so that I might “improve my posture.” Many times, she threatened to send me to “charm school.” Perhaps she should have just considered a nice family getaway to La Antigua Guatemala instead. The Mayan women and the colorful, traditional dress unfailingly catch the “Western eye.” I’m certain as a child I would have been just as mesmerized by their indigenous beauty as I am now. And to think, if my little eyes had spied these women walking around with their wide, brimming baskets of fruits and goods balanced atop of their heads… I imagine my mother would not have been able to keep me from practicing such “poise” when I arrived back at home. I probably would have passed it on to the neighborhood kids as a fun, childhood game – one that would have come with a cultural lesson. So that settles it: when the time comes for me to teach my daughter “posture and poise,” I’m bringing her to observe La Antigua’s Mayan women.

text and photos by Laura McNamara.

During these last few days I’ve spied two different mimes performing on the Calle del Arco. The only way I can really tell the difference between the painted faces is the height of the two characters: one is tall and the other is quite short. Both seem to be a hit with onlookers: adults and kids alike. The two seem to have similar tricks as well, which include shaping colorful animals from tubular balloons, asking someone from the audience to slingshot what seems to be a giant yoyo, and teeter-tottering on a small unicycle. In all honesty, the acts aren’t overly impressive – especially when you’ve encountered them on a number of occasions. Nonetheless, each time I see one in action, I stop to watch. I’m not just watching “Coqueto y Cortito”, as I have fondly named them. I’m also watching the people. Whether it’s Coqueto o Cortito, each invariably bring smiles to the faces of passersby and that’s something I’ll never tire of appreciating. Try as I might to engage these two in conversation, I can never get a peep out of them. Not to say that I’m surprised a mime won’t talk…

text and photos by Laura McNamara.

Observing indigenous Mayan people is one of the many charms of La Antigua that has captured me. One of the things that strikes me most about this intriguing culture is the maturity I see in the young Mayan children. This little girl, who looks to be no more than five-years-old, is calmly sitting by herself watching the daily activity and buzz on the cobbled street before her. Her hands are folded neatly in her lap and her feet are held together “ladylike.” She appears perfectly grown-up in her behavior. At the time I took this photo, there was a mime performing in the street entertaining me and many other tourists. Other non-Mayan children were actively engaged with the mime, falling prey to his silly tricks, giggling all the while. Yet, this little Mayan girl simply watched on from her curbside perch – interested, but not engaged. This is certainly not the first time I’ve witnessed such adult-like behavior from Mayan children at such a young age. Of course, I’ve seen plenty at play as well, but through my observations, I find that Mayan children possess a maturity level that is often well beyond their years. Even now, I must admit, I wouldn’t possess as much grace as this little girl while sitting on a curb. The maturity must come from their culture of working early and young. While hawking their handmade goods, many Mayan children display expert sales skills that could rival that of any high-pressure salesmen in the States. Often, I see five-year-old children caring for newborns. For them, it’s normal. For me, they’re little grown ups.

text and photo by Laura McNamara.

About Guest Contributor: Laura McNamara is a Web-savvy new media journalist well-versed in all facets of reporting and coverage. She has blogged her way through more than 20 countries across the globe. Yet, it’s La Antigua Guatemala that has captured her heart. Currently, she’s setting up “base camp” from the charming, colonial town surrounded by fuming volcanoes. You can look for her work around town as she begins writing for The Revue as a freelance contributor. She is also hunting for venues to sell her photography.