AntiguaDailyPhoto.Com

In my never ending quest to bring you unique and different perspectives of this enchanting 500-year old colonial town which we know as Antigua Guatemala, I bring you this photograph taken by one of my co-workers at Revue Magazine and fellow photograhy enthusiast César Tián. The photo above could be the facing view of the picture shown in Almost Ready for 2012. Obviously, César knows people in higher places than I do because I have never been to the roof top of the Muni building. I’ve gotta fix that! In the mean time, let’s thank César for sharing this rooftop panoramic vista of Central Park with us. Make sure you click on top of the photo above to look at a larger image.

Photo by César Tián

Now this is what the dry season looks like in Antigua Guatemala; sunshine, deep blue skies, beautiful light, cold winds and almost now clouds. As always, follow the white rabbit to see more photos and read about Palacio de los Capitanes Generales of Santiago de Guatemala.

There was a plantón, sort of an occupy protest, called for many civil organizations to disrupt and put an end to the plans of making the newly restored Palacio de los Capitanes Generales into a commercial center. The palace is now under the control of Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes which has plans of renting some of the spaces for commercial venues, like a coffee shop. If allowed, the Ministry of “Culture” could turn this historic and protected building into a shopping mall, the protesters claimed.

I have reported before that there were plans to make Palacio de los Capitanes the new location for Museo de Santiago, which is the city and departamento’s museum. Museo de Armas de Santiago was, and still is for now, located next to the Municipal government offices; perhaps on the same building and that’s where the original mermaids were on display.

What do you think about turning historic buildings into commercial centers?

Here’s the background information about the restoration works:

After two and half years and Q16 millions/$2 millions spent in renovations Palacio de Los Capitanes has finally opened again. The new façade is painted with yellow and white paint. According to an article in Prensa Libre, CNPAG, the entity in charge of restoring and protecting La Antigua Guatemala, also removed 15 tons of extra weight. There is still a second restoration phase quoted at Q14 million more to be done.

If you’re interested in looking at the façade of Palacio de Los Capitanes before the renovations, please follow the white rabbit to the Palacio de Los Capitanes archives.

1. Arches Are Us
2. Visit The Time Tunnel
3. Captains’ Palace at night in Antigua Guatemala
4. Architectonic Details: Arches
5. Leaders of Guatemala’s Independence Movement
6. Municipal Band Concerts on Fridays

Yes, perspective is everything!

If you don’t believe me compare the Tea Partiers and the Occupy Wall Street movement, since both share some similarities on the surface, but represent opposite world views as shown in this article from Aljazeera: Tea Partiers: The self-hating 99 per cent.

There may be surface similarities between the two uprisings, but they actually represent two opposing populist world views, whose only philosophical resemblance to one another is their belief that they speak for “the people” against the elites. While both movements are mainly concerned with economic issues, their beliefs about the causes and solutions they propose couldn’t be more different… continue reading at Aljazeera.

Huh, and you thought that we were sheltered against world events news in our beautiful, tranquil and enchanting little corner. We also heard about the recent rescue of the Belgian-French bank Dexia, which could be the first domino to fall in a replay of the 2008 recession.

Perhaps you should visit Guatemala and enjoy the end of the world as we know it.

See, perspective Is everything!

Real estate development is moving so fast that it seems that every time I blink there’s a new colonia (neighborhood), house, building or even entire commercial centers like the one pictured above. Panorama is short for San Pedro El Panorama, a village about 2 km from Antigua Guatemala on the road to Ciudad Vieja.

How many Antigua Guatemala villages have you visited?

In September Guatemalans celebrate its Independence Day on the 15th, but through out the month you can find Independence celebrations and decorations. Independence bunting is often found in doorways, windows, balconies, etc. This white building in the Main Plaza is a popular spot for placing Guatemalan flags in the balconies.

Do you know what the official blue color is supposed to be used for making Guatemalan flags? Do a search in the archives for the correct answer.

The first correct answer will win the flag shown in Libre al viento tur hermosa bandera… as a post card mailed from Antigua Guatemala. Good luck to all contestants!

This is the second option I had for the theme day: perspective. Although I like the vanishing point of Palacio de los Capitanes, I still believe I chose correctly for the theme day. However, looking at the picture above made me long for the dry season when the skies are blue and the light has magical quality to it. Don’t you agree?

That’s right, every open door I encounter is an opportunity to record the inside of what once was a typical house from La Antigua Guatemala. Even if it is a simple zaguán or narrow corridor, I take a few photos. One open door at a time I will photograph most of the former houses of La Antigua Guatemala and everything will be here at AntiguaDailyPhoto for you to see and enjoy!

This is wider view of the patio (courtyard really), garden and fountain shown in Skyping from the Garden published last month. As mentioned before, patios, garden and fountains are architectonic elements often in the typical Casa Antigüeña. By the way, if you want to look and learn about all the different elements often found in the Spanish colonial architecture from Antigua Guatemala, follow the white rabbit to the Casa Antigüeña series.

Esta es una vista más abierta del patio, jardín y fuente que aparecieron en Skyping from the Garden publicado el mes pasado. Como lo hemos mencionado antes, patios, jardines y fuentes son elementos arquitectónicos encontrados con frecuencia en la típica Casa Antigüeña. Por cierto, si quieren ver y aprender sobre los diferentes elementos encontrados en la arquitectura colonial española de La Antigua Guatemala, sigan la liebre hacia la serie Casa Antigüeña.

Even though at first I didn’t like the pastel yellow plaster applied to the newly restored Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, now I have to admit it is growing on me.

Here’s the background information about the restoration works:

After two and half years and Q16 millions/$2 millions spent in renovations Palacio de Los Capitanes has finally opened again. The new façade is painted with yellow and white paint. According to an article in Prensa Libre, CNPAG, the entity in charge of restoring and protecting La Antigua Guatemala, also removed 15 tons of extra weight. There is still a second restoration phase quoted at Q14 million more to be done.

If you’re interested in looking at the façade of Palacio de Los Capitanes before the renovations, please follow the white rabbit to the Palacio de Los Capitanes archives.

1. Arches Are Us
2. Visit The Time Tunnel
3. Captains’ Palace at night in Antigua Guatemala
4. Architectonic Details: Arches
5. Leaders of Guatemala’s Independence Movement
6. Municipal Band Concerts on Fridays

Yes Eric, Palacio de los Capitanes will be the new building for Museo de Santiago, which is the city and departamento’s museum. Museo de Armas de Santiago was, and still is for now, located next to the Municipal government offices; perhaps on the same building and that’s where the original mermaids were on display.

The night of the Antigua Guatemala Brand launching event I learned from the general director of museums of Guatemala that Palacio de los Capitanes (Palace of the Captains) will be the new location for Museo de Santiago, which will open its door to the public on May 18. Some of you may remember that May 18th is the International Museums Day; as always, follow the white rabbit. Ah… life is good in La Antigua Guatemala!

Remember, you heard it first at AntiguaDailyPhoto!

One of the benefits of having attended the Antigua Guatemala Brand launching event was to have unlimited access to the inside of the newly restored Palacio de los Capitanes building. Certainly you remember the recent pages which showed you the new look of the palace after the restoration works, right? If not check out New Illumination for Palacio de Los Capitanes and New Look of Palacio de Los Capitanes. You can also browse all the previous pages about Palacio de los Capitanes (Palace of the Captains) to see before and after photographs.

Today’s photo, however, is the first time I have shown the inside of Palacio de los Capitanes and the wonderful restoration work. Also, pay attention to the dramatic illumination that was installed as part of the restoration work. What do you think, do you like the restoration work so far?

Come back tomorrow if you want to learn the latest news regarding what will be the use for Palacio de los Capitanes building. Below I leave you with the background information regarding the restoration as previously published in AntiguaDailyPhoto.

After two and half years and Q16 millions/$2 millions spent in renovations Palacio de Los Capitanes has finally opened again. The new façade is painted with yellow and white paint. According to an article in Prensa Libre, CNPAG, the entity in charge of restoring and protecting La Antigua Guatemala, also removed 15 tons of extra weight. There is still a second restoration phase quoted at Q14 million more to be done.

Can you picture yourself having a Sunday breakfast or brunch with a pot of hot coffee from La Antigua Guatemala and your favorite Sunday papers, magazines or books? Or perhaps you prefer to catch up with the latest news from GuatemalaDailyPhoto.com or XelaDailyPhoto.com on your laptop or iPad? Or maybe you just prefer having a simple typical Guatemalan breakfast with your love ones?

What is it going to be for you?

As I mentioned before in the Casa Antigüeña series, building codes in La Antigua Guatemala prohibit new construction of two-story houses (wink, wink). They say nothing of really high ceilings in single story homes. Then, it’s only a matter of time before an attic is made and no sooner it becomes a second floor loft that can be used for a guest room or studio.

So this room can be called an attic (ático), loft (desván or tapanco) or simply the second floor.

Religiously, like every Ash Wednesday [miércoles de ceniza] before, La Antigua Guatemala get’s dressed up today with Lent decorations. Cuaresma is now officially underway.

What do Lent decorations really mean? In plain English, it means the Processional season 2011 is already here; have you gotten your plane tickets yet?

El Diablo no se quema film aside: Today I received an email from Julio Ro-Ariano, production director for Der Teufel brennt nicht or El Diablo no se quema, a movie filmed in Guatemala in 2010.

Like always, I like to share with you all the new Guatemalan films that are being produced in a prompt and expedite manner; don’t you agree?

The description goes something like this:

Perla, the prostitude, Juan here client and lover, and Verena, the wife, are the protagonists in this story about current-day Guatemala. Coming to movie teathers soon…

More information at Der Teufel brennt nicht web site.