Month: August 2010

Guatemalan Cuisine: Chojin

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Chojín is a word that I learned recently. Most of my life I just thought that radish salad was ensalada de rábano. Chojín is basically a radish salad that is served as appetizer or side dish with Chicharrones, Chicharrines and Carnitas, tostadas, panes (sandwiches), et cetera. Same as with guacamol, chojín is often eaten with … Read more

Guatemalan Cuisine: Guacamol

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Guacamol has to be among the most present sauces or salads in the Guatemalan cuisine; as well as chirmol and often together. Chirmol (Guatemalan tomato-based sauce) and guacamol (avocado sauce) are often found with typical dishes like parrilladas and chuparrascos. Guacamol is also found in tostadas. Guacamol, of course, is part of the diet of … Read more

Guatemalan Cuisine: Ensalada de Verduras

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Contrary to popular belief, Guatemalans do have a large selection of salads in their gastronomy palette, including, of course, one of the most ingredient-rich and colorful salads in the planet, the world-famous Fiambre. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the Fiambre slideshow. Ejotes (green beans), pimientos (bell peppers), arbejas (green peas), repollo … Read more

Changing a light bulb

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How many people are required to change a light bulb? a whole crew and a truck with basket if the light bulb is part of the street lighting system. Not too long ago, in Guatemala, the electric company was responsible for the maintenance of the public lighting, but now the municipalities took over that tax … Read more

Finca Washbasins and Water Tanks

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Don’t ask me, but how did the venerable utilitarian pila (water tank) and lavadero (washbasin) became decorations elements or design accents? In The Venerable Colonial Pila is Now Used as Decoration I introduced you to the washbasins and water tank inside McCafé in La Antigua Guatemala with the following words: What’s a pila (pee-lah), I … Read more

Guatemalan Cuisine: piloyada antigüeña

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The Piloyada Antigüeña is one of the most classic dishes from La Antigua Guatemala. Piloyada antigüeña takes its name from the piloy bean. Piloyada antigüeña is basically a bean salad with pork, Guatemalan white sausage, Frankfurt links, ham, salami, fresh cheese, bell peppers, cilantro, tomato, hard-boiled egg slices and onions. If you beg really loud, … Read more

Antigua’s Antique Bicycles

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This how imagine a parking lot looked like at the beginning of the 20th Century in La Antigua Guatemala. Nowadays, however, I believe these antique bicycles with their old bicycle license plates are just a publicity stunt by La Cuevita de los Urquizú to make people stop and visit their typical Guatemalan cuisine buffet. That’s … Read more

Salvadoreans Flock to Antigua Guatemala

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These are the most common license plates in La Antigua Guatemala right now. I could go as far as saying that there are more Salvadoreans license plates than Guatemalans. Why are Salvadoreans are flocking to Antigua Guatemala, I hear you ask? Two reasons. One, Salvadoreans are enjoying the time off because of the San Salvador … Read more

Guatever

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Guatever. I want one because I like the color, the typography and the chapín twist. Where can I buy it? Now, can you guess who the lucky owner of the t-shirt is and why he’s beginning to grin?

Market Marchers Manifestation

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Market Marchers Manifestation 5

La Antigua Guatemala sí es Guatemala after all. I hate to admit it, but Manolo was right!

Just when I think Antigua Guatemala is not the real world I come across a true Guatemalan-style manifestation with flags, slogans, chants and the works.

In short, the protesters, most of them vendors from the municipal marker, were demanding to throw away the plans to move the bus terminal away from el mercado, market. They were also demanding fair and just treatment towards the poor and the worker from the mayor and municipal council. I recorded several videos which I will link below in case you want a watch the clips of a Guatemala manifestation. Further down, there’s a slideshow with enough photos to give you taste of it all.

As I was about to turn right on 3a calle oriente, on my way to Parque Central, I noticed a large colorful crowd and before anybody knew it, the protesters had canceled out the entrance and exit of La Antigua Guatemala be their sheer numbers. I parked, grabbed the camera and iPhone and decided I was going to do my best to document this manifestation. I shot about a hundred photographs and a few videos. Some of the photos and updates when online in real time to Twitter, Facebook and videos to Qik. Believe it or not, I am getting good at this.

Without further ado, here are the videos recorded and uploaded in real time.

  1. El pueblo se manifiesta en contra de la Municipalidad de Antigua in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
  2. El pueblo se manifiesta en contra de mover la terminal de autobuses.
  3. Ya llegó la manifestación al Palacio del Ayuntamiento.

Please, let me know your feedback and thoughts regarding this event coverage!

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Ubi’s Ceviche

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Last week Jonathan Gold from LA Weekly and Evan Kleinman host of KCRW’s Good Food program did a review of La Cevicheria, a Guatemalan owned ceviche restaurant in Los Angeles. In the podcast Jonathan declared the Guatemalan ceviche the best of all ceviches and was surprised since, in his opinion, Guatemala does not posses a … Read more

Thought Provoking Art at Casa Santo Domingo

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As you walk around Casa Santo Domingo, you find antique and contemporary artworks one after the other without disrupting harmony and a sense beauty. This is proof of high quality of the curatorship. There is classical music coming off from strategically located speakers to provide a peaceful and tranquil soundtrack while you stroll around the … Read more