La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo

Wow, my kid does look with the sousaphone; I am glad he’s not a piano or guitar player like everyone else; he’s a real sousaphone player.

I will give a penny for your thoughts!

Honest.

I want to know what are your thoughts now. How are you taken all the recent events and economic calamities? Who’s responsible? Do you have hopes for the immediate future? Will you be voting in the upcoming election?

Don’t vote! is great video clip I came across just yesterday; I like to share it with you.

Please, let me know your thoughts!

I wonder what was going through the old man’s mind while watching the young tourist with flip flops (thongs) and short shorts.

Was he thinking I would never let my granddaughter go out dressing like that or was he wondering if those sandals, which are all the rage right now, are really comfy. What do you think?

SPECIAL OFFER ON 11″x14″ PRINTS: For this week only I will be running a special offer on 11″x14″ prints on whatever paper you like (yes from Kodak Endura Matte to gorgeous Kodak Metallic) for $20 per print; five minimum order. That’s as much as 60% off the regular price ($45 for matte and $50 for metallic paper). I will also pay for the shipping within the U.S.A. for those ordering 5 or more prints. This special offer will expire on August 31st. Take advantage of this blow up prices and get the large prints you want to decorate your home or to give away as presents. Contact me right away for details and to place your order.

When I was eighteen I worked for a senile old man who had been a famous race driver in the 1940-70. Very often he was able to describe with crystal-clear detail events from those decades as it was yesterday morning. Seldom, he was able to tell you what he did that afternoon. However, in his in-and-out memory zapping, once in a while, he had his coherent moments and I remember in a crystal-clear way what he said to me in one of those moments, as it was yesterday morning: “When I was your age I used to go to weddings every month… Now at my age I go to funerals every month”

Do you know where this funeral motorcade is heading? Hint, the answer is a series in the archives.

Why do creators always look down upon their creations?

The Guatemalan word for kite is barrilete. Papalote is the most often heard word in Spanish for kite, but in Guatemala barrilete is what people use. The kites on sale at this convenience store or tienda are Q2/$.25. The kite that the little boy was holding yesterday was bought from this store.

Kites have a very special meaning for many Guatemalans, especially the indigenous. Kites and Giant kites are used to help guide the dead ones back to their love ones and to the cemeteries where they are remembered. Giant kites are flown over the cemeteries of Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez. If you can read Spanish you can browse this photographic tour of the giant kites. Giant kites are flown on November 1st and 2nd; so if you are around, grab your camera and backpack and head up to one of those towns.

Here’s a summary of what you can expect for this celebration:

On November 1st and 2nd Guatemala, like many other catholic countries, celebrates the Day of the Dead (Día de los Difuntos) and the All Saints Day (Día de los Santos). The cemeteries, from the most exclusive to the most modest and humble, become overwhelmed with people bringing flowers, crosses, food and even music (sometimes Mariachi music) to their dead relatives…

Fiambre, a salad made from cold cuts, all kinds of meats, fish, vegetables and pickled vegetables, is served on November 1st, after a visit to the cemetery. Fiambre is a cold meal of Spanish origin, possibly from the Extremadura provinces in Spain. Fiambre is a very special meal for Guatemalans and it is only available on November 1st and 2nd. Because fiambre is an extremely rare and unique meal which can include over 50 ingredients, I decided to show you the final part of the preparation through a slide show.

From childhood to old age, life goes on… one day at the time, one year at the time.

I wish all of you an easy-going day!

No. I am not stalking this poor fellow. He just so happened to move in the same direction as my viewfinder.

Chicken bus is the derogatory term used for Guatemala’s rural public transportation system. The chicken bus is the second life for the old school bus in the third world. The chicken bus ride can make for a great post card or provide enough material for your exotic travel chronicle. But, chicken buses do not make for a safe and quality transit system and as a such they do not have designated and built-for bus stops. The omnibus stops can be anywhere, including in the middle of the main entrance or exit to La Antigua Guatemala.

So a window sill is as good a bus stop as any. What is the most interesting bus stop you have seen?