AntiguaDailyPhoto.Com

Tuesday the 13th, a day of much superstition, was the day of the a fundraising event at JP’s Rumbar for the non-government organization Niños de Guatemala. Perhaps, many people thought of it as a very unlucky day, yet, no one that attended the activity thought so. It was crowded!

La Raíz played, candles lit the bar, and it was a lovely musical atmosphere. Moments later a dance of fire lit up the bar with an outstanding show. Laura McNamara was asked to be part of it, and little did we know, that even a lap dance of fire was in order. Nothing else, but just a dance of light, flashes popped in an effort to try to capture the dancer and the gorgeous volunteer. Some cameras perhaps worked, some perhaps didn’t. The music kept on playing. The fire left trails of light. Through the light smiles could be seen. I was sensing lots of a joy from all the people present.

It was a good cause, and JP’s Rumbar gave 33% of proceeds to NGO Niños de Guatemala.

Can anyone say that you can’t have a fun and joyful night and the same time help a good cause? ¡Sí se puede!

text and photos by Arturo Godoy

These roasted tomatoes will end up looking like this: Tomatoes, Basil and Cheese.

Today’s entry is a pun for the all the different groups of the Guatemalan blog sphere who don’t seem to get along. I have said it before, you only need to unite two Guatemalans to get three groups.

You like potato and I like potahto
You like tomato and I like tomahto
Potato, potahto,
Tomato, tomahto.
Let’s call the whole thing of
But oh, if we call the whole thing off
Then we must part
and oh, if we ever part, then that might break my heart (continue reading the lyrics…)

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On my way to lunch I caught all the Central Park photographers taking a break from the their photo-taking profession. Tourism has been slow and catching the majority of the photographers from Central Park taking shelter from the mid-day sun under the shadow of a tree is a good indication that things are slow.

These photographers charge Q15/$1.75 per photo. They live mostly from national and regional tourism. Next time you come to La Antigua Guatemala, have your photo taken by one of these photographers and make sure you take a photo of the photographer as well so you can keep both images together as confirmation of how simple it is to help others earn a honest and decent living.

Notes on Google’s Safe Browsing Advisory Monopoly: Two nights ago my hosting company suffered a “DNS poison attack” on their DNS servers, which basically means that DNS server has received such non-authentic data and caches it for future performance increase, it is considered poisoned, supplying the non-authentic data to the clients of the server.

In plain English it means that when you were supposed to be taken to AntiguaDailyPhoto.Com files hosted in one their computers (servers), you instead were redirected to a site in China, listed as suspicious. The telephone equivalent would be, you dial your friend Manolo in Toronto but Christian in Zimbabwe answers your call; you try to dial several times and each time Christian responds how many viagra pills are you going to order?

The actual files that make up AntiguaDailyPhoto.Com were never compromised and AntiguaDailyPhoto never hosted malware. It was simply an incident of URL redirection.

Anyhow, the whole incident lasted less than a couple of hours, but sufficient time for Google to put a safe browsing warning for AntiguaDailyPhoto. I have contacted Google Webmaster Tools several times requesting that the warning be removed, but so far they have not responded and I am not sure how long it would be before they remove the warning. I have verified through independent web scanning services like McAfee SiteAdvisor, Unmask Parasites and Stopbadware.org; all of them come back with a green flag for AntiguaDailyPhoto.

Here I see the problem with ONE COMPANY having too much control, in this case Google, which puts a safety warning for an incident that lasted less than two hours and they can take several days if not weeks to remove the warning. Without third party verification or control, Google can take as long as they please to remove a red flag. Monopolies are never good. From this point forward, I will make sure to use as many search engines and services as possible. I will not give Google total control over my tiny web parcel. Let a lesson be learnt here!

What are the aspects that make up identity and idiosyncrasy? What makes Guatemalans almost anywhere in the planet salivate at the sight of a plastic bag with sliced fresh citric fruits? Really drool if they see the lime juice, ground pepitoria (dried squash seeds) and chile powder? What nostalgic fibers and long-gone forgotten memories are awaken at the simple vista of green mangos, sliced pineapple and oranges? What makes us go crazy and wild over fresh fruit bags? How deep are these particular traits rooted in the Guatemalan unconsciousness?

Certainly, there are fresh fruits all over the world? Please help me understand the following random reactions:

Just looking at the picture makes my mouth water. As I close my eyes I imagine paying for the mango and taking the bag from the little girl. I imagined walking to a nice shady spot and sitting down with my green mango in a bag, shaking the bag to mix all the ingredients and picking the biggest hearty piece and placing in my mouth. Mmmm, mmm, mmm Yummy. When all the green mango pieces are gone….time to grab the bag by one of it’s corners and slurp up all the juice. Can’t let any of it go to waste. —MO

…it looks so good it’s making my mouth water…I can almost taste it. Best snack in the whole world – especially on a sunny day. —Raquel

…there is something to the flavor of mangos bought on the street. Maybe it is the plastic bag… or simply the fact that these vendors are the experts. —Ale

…this took me back to my childhood in Retalhuleu. My sister and I didn’t have much money but we’d find a “choca” (a quarter) once in a while and we’d get a green mango with all the great fixes! —Leslie

… so in the event that I am one of the biggest fans of Green Mango since I was a very young child, I will take this picture as mine as well… —Monica

I know I would react exactly the same way if I was shown a picture like the above. Worst, I would come back to look at it several times through the day! ;-(

Last, but not least, what’s the deal with these clear plastic bags in Guatemala? These bags are used for sodas, licuados, fruits, candy, et cetera. What’s up with that?

Play this song before continuing:

We know now that in the early years of the twentieth century this world was being watched closely by intelligences greater than man’s, and yet as mortal as his own. We know now that as human beings busied themselves about their various concerns they were scrutinized and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinize the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water.

With infinite complacence people went to and fro over the earth about their little affairs, serene in the assurance of their dominion over this small, spinning fragment of solar driftwood which, by chance or design, man has inherited out of the dark mystery of Time and Space.

Yet across an immense ethereal gulf, minds that are to our minds as ours are to the beasts in the jungle, intellects vast, cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.

In the ninth year of the twenty-first century came the great disillusionment. It was near the end of the first week of October. Business was better. The war scare was over. More men were back at work. Sales were picking up. On this particular evening, October 10th, CIRMA, The Center of Mesoamerican Research, estimated that at least thirty-two million people were still reading blogs instead of following short tweets in Twitter or reading profile updates in Facebook.
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For the next twenty-four hours not much change in temperature. A slight atmospheric disturbance of undetermined origin is reported over Escuintla, causing a low pressure area to move down rather rapidly over the northeastern departments, bringing a forecast of rain, accompanied by winds of light gale force. Maximum temperature 66; minimum 48.

This weather report comes to you from the INSIVUMEH, Guatemala’s National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology, and Hidrology.

We take you now to the Tea Room in the Hotel Palacio de Doña Leonor in downtown Antigua Guatemala, where you’ll be entertained by the music of Astor Piazzolla and his orchestra.
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Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt our program of tango music to bring you a special bulletin from the Antigua News Tweets.

At twenty minutes before eight, central time, Professor Pascu Robredo of the Mount Finca Filadelfia Observatory, San Felipe de Jesús, La Antigua Guatemala, reports observing several explosions of incandescent gas, occurring at regular intervals over Volcán de Fuego. The spectroscope indicates the gas to be hydrogen and moving towards the city with enormous velocity.

Professor Arturo Godoy of the Observatory at Earth Lodge confirms Robredo’s observation, and describes the phenomenon as, quote, “like a jet of blue flame shot from a gun,” unquote.

We now return you to the music of Astor Piazzolla, playing for you in the Tea Room of the Hotel Palacio de Doña Leonor, situated in downtown La Antigua Guatemala.
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Ladies and gentlemen, following on the news given in our bulletin a moment ago, the INSIVUMEH has requested the large observatories of the country to keep an astronomical watch on any further disturbances occurring over Volcán de Fuego.

Due to the unusual nature of this occurrence, we have arranged an interview with a noted astronomer, Professor Manolo Romero, who will give us his views on this event. In a few moments we will take you to the Cerrito del Carmen Observatory in Guatemala City.

We return you until then to the music of Astor Piazzolla and his orchestra.
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On a date like today’s, in 1492, Two Worlds Collided and the rest is, as we say, living history! At the Revue Magazine website, you can learn Why October 12 is Not “Colón Day”.

Click the player below to listen to the original “The War of the Worlds” (October 30, 1938) radio show The Mercury Theatre on the Air as it was broadcasted. If you follow the white rabbit, you can hear and download, “The finest radio dramas of the 1930’s, The Mercury Theatre on the Air”; a show featuring the acclaimed New York drama company founded by Orson Welles and John Houseman.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

You can read the entire “The War of the Worlds” script as performed by Orson Welles here.

Original text of “The War of the Worlds” by H. G. Wells, adapted and performed by Orson Welles; fragment parody by yours truly and photo by dear friend Pascu Robredo.

I know that one can go every day to the mercado, market, in La Antigua Guatemala for fresh produce and that if one goes Monday, Thursday or Saturday, one can find the find the largest selection and quality of fruits and vegetables. However, I had never seen the produce delivery trucks; I guess I am not up when the market gets restocked.

How many vegetables can you see inside the truck?

Photographing green is an obsession for me. There is something about the way green looks when it’s captured by camera. I will always invariably shoot all things green. I captured this “palm umbrella” while I was at Panza Verde for Yoga class early Monday morning. I think the blurred white cupola and the rich, blue sky truly help set off the brilliant green hue of the palm.

Speaking of favorites: another “photo-fetish” I seem to have is hands. I love photographing hands. What are some of your favorites?

text and photo by Laura McNamara

Okay, so I’m going to need some help with this one. I know Rudy has an abundant sign collection and I thought that this might make a good addition. I really like the stark contrasts between light and dark, and black and white in the photo. And, it’s tried, tested and proven: red always draws attention.

The only problem is, I have NO CLUE where this Quirox sign is or what it is. I took it while on my “photo-binge” traipsing across La Antigua from one art exposition to another. I can’t remember where I was when my shutter-craze resulted in this image.

Any ideas?

text and photo by Laura McNamara

The whimsical, timeless allure of La Antigua’s colonial architecture, peacefully protected ruins and cobbled streets is a common theme of which I’ll never tire. This door, this “portal to an ancient world” fills my imagination. I envision erect Don’s and Doña’s of years past, prevailing over a newly established colony under the looming shadows of Volcanoes Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. The question of what life was like when the ruins were not ruins, but grand temples of stature and wealth is a constant pondering that nags at me. But, walking through these infamous streets everyday means that I can do everything but escape such persistent thoughts.

What do you think? What kind of world once lived behind that door?

text and photo by Laura McNamara

From the self-portrait above it’s obvious I was in quite the “alternative art” mood. But, being at my third art exposition for the night, I couldn’t help it. Saturday was a whirlwind of creative stimulation. First, the “Laberinto de Miradas. Colectivos Fotográficos en Iberoamérca” exposition at the Centro Cultural de España. Next, the grand opening of El Carmen Galería de Arte. Finally, Bill Ipsan’s urban art presentation in Hotel Casa Santo Domingo.

As a photographer myself, all this art most absolutely stoked the flames of my own creative fire. Charged with inspiration, I couldn’t take my hand off the shutter all night. Even though most of the time the light was terrible, I still had to try every idea that flashed through my mind. For me, viewing others’ art makes me feel as if my own creativity is free to be well… more free. Witnessing the work of someone who took a risk to express themselves – sometimes in a most vulnerable way, gives me a confidence-boost to do the same.

Thus, this self-portrait of me viewing a series of portraits of autistic children is one of the results of my “shutter-binge” Saturday night.

text and photo by Laura McNamara

The warning came from behind: “Please, we’re really not supposed to be taking photos of the art here.” I had just snapped this picture when I spun around to see who was trying to tell ME not to take photos.

“Hi, I’m Bill Ipsan and I’d prefer if the artwork was not photographed.” Ah, the artist. Little did he know that I was taking photos for my new project ArteAntigua.com – an effort to round up all the fun, crazy things happening with art here in Antigua and post information about it in one central website. But, I just shrugged and said “Okay…“ I had already captured some good shots and I knew that the one I just took was the “it” photo that I would end up taking at the exhibit anyway. It was too spontaneously perfect.

“So what do you do?” Ipsan warmly inquired. He obviously didn’t want to come across as an artist prick because it was obvious that’s not who he was… and I can certainly understand an artist protecting his art.

“I’m a journalist,” I confidently shot back.

“Oh well! If it’s for journalism feel free to take as many photos as you want!” It looks like Billy was a fan of promoting his work. Jejejeje. The spoils of being a journalist! There are times I’ve marched right into backstage declaring: “Journalist!” Works most of the time.

Anyway, Ipsan was an “absolute charmer,” as my painter friend Geovany Flores put it. I’d have to agree. Ipsan is super “amable.” I explained my new project to him and he quickly offered to get together for a proper interview. Ipsan’s work is being displayed in Hotel Casa Santo Domingo and the artist will be here for about another month. You can learn more through my interview with him on ArteAntigua.com.

text and photo by Laura McNamara

Sometimes I forget that I should simply disconnect from the Internet and go outside. This time Rudy Girón took me out, and there was a rainbow posing just for us. This reminded me that, while out, sometimes I should stop, watch and observe. Walking around La Antigua Guatemala is amazing and I’ve heard that some people even call Antigua the Venice of Guatemala. I hope it’s true, and one day I’ll go to Venice to evaluate the comparison.

Yet, why compare? Antigua is very diverse, a lot of life, beautiful volcanoes, lovely people, and just a great overall ambiance.

So, next time you are in La Antigua, just stop, watch and observe

text and photos by Arturo Godoy

Mimes and clowns were the main attraction for the boys and girls alike during the Día del niño, Children’s Day, celebrations. To me, I was delighted to hear and see the little ones sing mishito; all off key. Mishito is the Guatemalan Spanish word for kitten. Often you can hear mishito mishito mishito as children and adults call their kittens.

I leave you with a short clip of the Coro del Colegio Los Angelitos something or another. Enjoy!

Better late than never, the saying goes. In Guatemala, every October 1st, the Día del niño, Children’s Day, is observed. There were some Children activities and celebrations on October 1st, but the main celebrations were held in Parque Central on October 2.

The Plaza Mayor was full of parents and children taking advantage of the clowns, mimes, chorus concerts and music at the different stages. It was a joyful afternoon for all the youngsters and adults who refuse to let their inner child grow up.

The vista cotidiana (quotidian vista) of men working throughout La Antigua Guatemala is more and more refreshing and assuring each day. We can see that the funds collected by the Municipalidad de La Antigua Guatemala (Antigua’s City Hall) through taxes and new parking fees are being used to repair the streets, embellish parks and traffic islands, et cetera. For instance, in San Pedro Las Huertas, all the chorros, or public faucets, received a face lift: new colonial-style colors and architectonic elements (correction: according the Armando García, loyal reader of AntiguaDailyPhoto and neighbor of San Pedro Las Huertas, the public faucets are being embellished by “El Comité del Agua Potable,” the potable water committee). It feels good to know that your local government is actually doing the work it was elected for.