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This is yet another popular vista at Parque Central, artisans making handicrafts to sell on the spot or on Calle del Arco. Often the artisans are Maya women, but sometimes you can also find artisans from all over the world as in this case. These women were so focus in building their necklaces and jewellery that they did even notice me taking some photographs.

Antigua Photowalks Aside: This is the second time in a month that I lead a photowalk around Antigua Guatemala revealing many of the secrets and trivia that I have learned along the seven years of publishing AntiguaDailyPhoto. If you’re in town, come and join me and other photographers while we share our passion for photography and Antigua Guatemala.

As we can see, sunbathing is among the favorite things to do by visitors to Antigua Guatemala. Why do think that is?

That’s right, I said THE rainy season, or invierno (winter) as most people call the rainy season in Guatemala. I thought of the rainy season in other parts of the world, such as England or the winter in Canada, when I saw this girl enjoying the sun with such carefree pleasure and I figured I had to brag about our invierno—rainy season, so I took the shot.

Come and visit us during rainy season too, we make sure you get plenty of sunshine as well!

Many parks and main squares in Guatemala have photographer making a living by taken snapshots of visitors who want to keep a memento of their visit. La Antigua Guatemala is not an exception since there are about a dozen park photographers offering the instant photography service. For about Q20/$2.25 you can have your photograph taken and printed in situ. I recommend you to use their photography service at least once so you have a souvenir and at the same time help the honest photographers make a living. It’s in my opinion, a small price to pay, about the cost of a cup of coffee, to have a polaroid of your visit to Antigua Guatemala and help our local photographers; don’t you agree?

Weather aside: By the way, this is the rainy season in Guatemala.

I met Melody at terrace of La Casaca café while I was enjoying the wonderful weather of the last days of the dry season. She was sitting on the largest table of by herself. Soon the terrace became crowded and I figured she felt bad because she was occupying the largest table all by herself while other people where just standing up. My geek friends and I were sitting next to her. I mentioned to one of my friends how I really like the Amish look and her plain attire. “I wish I could photograph her,” I sighed. “Why don’t you ask her,” my friend responded. “There’s no way she would allow her picture to be taken,” I countered. Nevertheless, I said to myself, “just ask, you already know she is going to say no.” As she freed the the large table and move to a corner on the terrace bar to finish her frapuccino, I stopped her with the question, “can I take your picture.” She was startled and then asked, “why me?” I simply said: “I like to take pictures of people, especially portraits whenever I can; I just took the portraits of my friends sitting over there.” She said okay. Wow, I could not believe it was so simple. I took about four or five photographs, and this is the best one on my opinion.

After we chit-chatted, casaqueamos at La Casaca my friends pointed out later on, for a little while. I learned her name was Melody and that she was a mennonite who was taking some Spanish classes. I wished I could have talked for a little longer with her and to learn other things about her, but I felt that I had intrude long enough already. What do you guys think, should I have stayed a little longer to learn more about her trip to Antigua Guatemala? Or did I do the right thing.

Often I see visitors to Antigua Guatemala getting lost or asking for directions. It’s kind of interesting since La Antigua Guatemala is such small town, smaller than many neighbourhoods in the large metropolis, less than a 10-block grid. I imagine that if one was using Google Maps or Apple Maps on a smartphone it would be very easy to see exactly where one is standing at any given moment and see the landmarks and highlight of Antigua Guatemala.

So, next time you visit Antigua Guatemala, bring your unlocked smartphone and buy an inexpensive SIM card from Telefónica, Claro or Tigo, US$2(Movistar) to US$5.25 (Tigo) and add pre-paid internet connectivity to you phone so you can make phone calls, check your email and know where you’re standing.

Of course, you are still welcome to ask for directions and chit chat with the locals just the same.

Today we will begin our Spanish lesson with some very important Guatemalan Spanish words: Poporopos, Plataninas, Papalinas and Churros.

Poporopos: This is the Guatemalan Spanish for pop corn. Most other Spanish-speaking countries use palomitas. I believe Guatemala is the only country that uses the word poporopos.

Plataninas: Basically, plataninas are green platano/plantains chips. Plantains are like bananas, but much bigger and with a unique flavor. Guatemalans eat platanos in many forms, like plataninas, rellenitos, fritos (fried), atol de platano, chairbroiled and baked; just to name a few.

Papalinas: This is the Guatemalan Spanish word for potato chips. Like poporopos, I don’t think papalinas is used in any other Spanish-speaking country.

Churros: A churreria is the place where they make churros; [CHOOR-roh] Similiar to a cruller, this Spanish, Mexican and Guatemalan specialty consists of a sweet-dough spiral that is deep-fried and eaten like a doughnut. Churros are usually coated with a mixture of cinnamon and confectioners’ (or granulated) sugar (source Answers.com).