The first step of making the Guatemalan washbasin is to set the concrete mold pieces and then filling it with concrete. The concrete mold pieces are covered with burnt oil so they don’t stick to the fresh new concrete. The whole process from setting up the mold pieces to putting the final details like white … Read more
Actually, I should say removing the mold pieces. Basically, to manufacture pilas, washbasins, there four basic steps: Set the mold pieces and iron rods pieces to serve as skeleton. The mold concrete pieces are applied a light layer of burnt oil so they don’t stick to new concrete structure. Fill it with concrete and wait … Read more
These pilas go for a little over Q500/$60 because they use higher quality paint and more cement in the concrete mixture. Cheaper pilas can be had for a little as Q300/$36. Don Eduardo González shared with me that he knows people who have over 20-year old pilas manufactured by him. Also, he made it very … Read more
First of all, I read ALL your comments. I don’t always find time to reply every single comment, but I do read each one. Second, I keep requests in my to-do list. Third, eventually I get to your requests as time and circumstance allow. Fourth, I don’t follow a logic order; what can I say, … Read more
There are two ‘official’ snack times in Guatemala known as refacción; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I have shown you the morning refacción before, but this is the first time, I believe, I show the afternoon refacción. Refacción, however, is much more than a simple snack time. Refacción is the time … Read more
Like I said before, if there were a Guatemalan National Drink, surely “atol blanco” would be it. Atol blanco is one of the most emblematic drinks of the Guatemalan repertoire. Very few meals or drinks can define or identify a Guatemalan like atol blanco (white atole). Atol blanco is the drink that defines your ‘guatemalanness’; … Read more
There seems to be an abundance of tecoltes, owls, around Antigua Guatemala. The reasons you might see lots of tecolotes in Guatemala is because they are considered to bring good fortune and abundance. In Guatemala, tecolotes are also symbols of luck and prosperity. Furthermore, since colonial times, artisans have made ceramic tecolotes as piggy banks; … Read more
Sometimes, every once in a while I need to report how wonderful weather is in La Antigua Guatemala: Today and tomorrow will be windy and sunny. Here’s the view from my studio. The wind chimes provide the sound track for the weekend. I know, life is good! 😉
This is what the peak hour look like on a given Friday afternoon; around 5:30pm, on Alameda El Calvario exit. In case you don’t know, that’s the South exit of town towards San Cristóbal El Bajo/El Alto, San Pedro Las Huertas, San Juan del Obispo and Santa María de Jesús. I know, life is tough! … Read more
Oh, I don’t think I will ever get tired for the abundant fresh produce available in el mercado of La Antigua Guatemala from the regular permanent stands or the ambulant produce sellers. Either way, you’re guaranteed fresh and colorful vegetables and fruits everyday. Life is good!
This afternoon seems to have been one of the best of the year, and quoting Rudy: Linda tarde de enero en La Antigua Guatemala con un tiempo estupendo… He was absolutely correct and although I managed to get out of the house a bit late and almost missed the sunset, I was still able to … Read more
Women. They are the subject of these pictures. Why? The gruesome brutality hasn’t stopped. In fact, it has barely dipped. The Latin American Herald Tribune reports that 708 women were violently murdered in Guatemala in 2009. That figure is down compared to the 773 reported violent deaths in 2008, but not by much. There is … Read more
Guatemala is a country of contrasts and extremes. Here is todo o nada (all or nothing); there’s no medium. Here you find exceptional beauty within palpable danger. So, no wonder one can find a whole bunch of smart phones with 3G and 2G Internet connectivity among a group of friends enjoying a get-together after an … Read more
I love textures and La Antigua Guatemala seems to possess an endless amount of textures. Perhaps the fact that I am a graphic designer is what makes me focus on textures. Now the texture, repetition, waves, color and perspective found on the roof tops of La Antigua Guatemala are simply delightful, at least they’re to … Read more
Gringas are tacos made with flour tortillas and cheese. For some unknown reason, gringas are very popular in Guatemala. Believe it or not, Mexican cuisine has not succeeded into making its way into Guatemala the same way as in the U.S.A. and the world. I find this very strange since there’s a huge overlap of … Read more