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Here’s your Guatemalan Spanish word for today: Cofre, that’s what we call this type of box, chest or trunk.
We continue our series of Guatemalan handicrafts with this gorgeous and colourful box painted with Guatemalan market and town fair motifs. Would you like to have one of these in your living room to keep all your magazine and travel guides handy?
Here are some samples of the typical kitchen utensils made in Guatemala. I don’t know about you, but I prefer wood and glass over the plastic equivalents; how about you?
This type ceramic heaters are used often in garden and patios to warm up the get togethers during chilly nights. It’s sort of a portable fireplace and in Guatemala we normally call them braseros or chimeneas. What are these things called in English?
By the way, would you like to have one for your patio or garden?
Here’s your Guatemalan Spanish word for the day: Tinaja or water jar.
They don’t make things like they used. Take this over hundred years old tinaja for example, and look at the beautiful craftsmanship and details. This was a water jar which was supposed to be kept on the dirt floor on a dark corner, yet the artisans that built them chose to make them beautiful and strong.
I believe people used to build things for a lifetime while now that marked dictates that many things should last between three and five years in the best case scenario. Don’t agree?
In a time and world where everything is manufactured in assembly lines in China, Guatemalan artisans still make colorful pieces by hand. Each handicraft similar but unique at the same time thanks to the imperfection introduced by the each artisan with their own hands and hearts.
What are your thoughts regarding hand-made pieces versus assembly-line mass produced goods?
Luck is nothing more than opportunity meeting preparation. So, I have to be ready when opportunity comes along.
Can anyone tell why Suerte (luck) and Fortuna (fortune) are represented by these gorgeous ceramic owls? The first valid reply wins this photo as a post card mailed to your home or office!
This wonderful clay pottery was brought all the way from Totonicapán; that’s near Xela in case you didn’t know, to be sold in Antigua Guatemala and its surrounding villages. Believe or not, many people still use clay pottery to cook. Just the other day while researching about leña, firewood fuel, I learned that some families still only use leña and a poyo, sort of a brick stove, to cook. So, these clay pottery are the perfect complement for cooking with leña, don’t you think?
Rudy, I discovered your blog as soon as I returned from a too-short 4 day trip to Guatemala in May 2006. Through your camera lens, you've taught me so much about the place that I fell in love with so quickly. I especially appreciate when you write your thoughts, observations, opinions, and give information about your subjects. You've given me true affection for the marimba through the music you've posted, & you've taken me on virtual trips back to La Antigua Guatemala through your videos and sound clips. You've challenged my ideas about Guatemala, and surprised me with the breadth of culture in your little city. Your blog is like a little vacation every day. Thank you so much for the years of absolute pleasure. You never disappoint; this is a big accomplishment! Congratulations, and please don't stop. —Janna
