On January 21, Under the name of Subida por la vida, there were over 8,000 people climbing Volcán de Agua (Water Volcano) to form the largest heart in the world at 12,335 feet as part of campaign to bring awareness and to reduce domestic violence. The event will also be a party with music and foot ball matches (the real McCoy) in different venues in Antigua Guatemala. Subida por la vida also stands as manifestation for Peace where Guatemalans want to demonstrate and let the world know that we want peace and we will not tolerate violence any longer.

Here’s the complete program of activities and below is the complete description of the event in Spanish and some maps of the event.

Volcán de Agua, Guatemala
El 21 enero 2012, vamos a reunir a por lo menos 8,000 guatemaltecos en una cadena humana de las faldas a la cima del icónico Volcán de Agua. De esos 8,000 participando en la cadena, 1500 llegarán primero al cráter para formar el corazón más grande que el mundo haya visto desde 12,335 pies. El evento será seguido por una fiesta de celebración en el estadio en Antigua para todos los participantes y para las estrellas nacionales que apoyen. La celebración incluirá un partido de fútbol con personalidades y un concierto con El Tambor de La Tribu y El Viento en Contra ya confirmados.

Para promover la campaña “Rompe el Ciclo” que está inspirando un cambio generacional de actitud en contra de la violencia doméstica, y ultimadamente para reducir los niveles de violencia en Guatemala. Para darle a la juventud de Guatemala un dramático estímulo de energía, unidad y determinación de llevar un cambio positivo a Guatemala. Para recaudar fondos para ayudar a las víctimas de violencia doméstica. Cada participante pagará Q50 y una obra de caridad será elegida a través de un voto democrático en la página de Facebook de Rompe el Ciclo desde 22 Noviembre 2011. Para crear una espectacular imagen positiva de Guatemala que alcanzará a los medios globales.

Subida por la vida Volcan de Agua climb stands for:

• Over 8,000 people climbing Volcán de Agua
• 1,500 people forming the largest heart in the crater of Volcán de Agua at 12,335 feet above sea level
• Awareness campaign against domestic violence
• Large manifestation for Peace
• Fundraiser to help the victims of domestic violence
• A party for Peace
• To create a huge positive image of Guatemala
• To bring people together to bring a change in attitude and to have fun

As in previous occasions, our dear friend and dare-devil adventurous reporter Nelo Mijangos took upon the challenge to document this Walk for Life, with pictures and in this opportunity with a GPS track so we can get real data of the climb of Volcán de Agua as experienced on the Subida por la Vida event. Below you will find photos and a map with the actual route walked by Nelo.

I also took photographs of some of the activities put on stage by the organizers of Subida por la Vida around Central Park and Calle del Arco. I know, my day was not nearly as though as Nelo’s, but what can I say, someone has to cover all the cultural events as well.

I also recorded several videos; here’s the first one I am sharing with you about the Maya ceremony asking for blessings from the Gods.

Honest, what’s not to like about the dry season? Clear skies, crisp and cool temperatures and the most enchanting light are the norm during the dry season. If you haven’t been to Guatemala during the dry season, you have been missing the best possible Guatemala. You’ve gotta fix that!

El Cristo Negro de Esquipulas aside: Every year, On January 15th, thousands of pilgrims from Guatemala, the United States, Europe and other Central American countries flock to pay homage to the dark wooden image of the crucified Christ, the most revered Catholic shrine in Esquipulas, the spiritual center of Central America. The image of the Black Christ dates back to March 9, 1595, when the Portuguese sculptor Quirio Cataño presented it to the mayor of the city. (source: Wikipediag.org)

Did you know that Quirio Cataño lived in Antigua Guatemala when he was commissioned the Black Christ sculpture? If not, read Quirio Cataño, Sculptor of the Black Christ of Esquipulas on the archives.

The kites on the skyline mark the end of the rainy season, the beginning of the cold and dry weather and the arrival of the winds from the great white north. The kites also mark the approaching Día de los Muertos celebrations and that is time for the world famous fiambre from Guatemala.

By the way, in Guatemala we use the word Barrilete for kite while Papalote is used in other parts of Latin America.

Believe it or not, in Antigua Guatemala we can sense the dry season is approaching. Take the picture above for instance, it was taken after we had some rain. In my Diarios del Móvil (Mobile Dairy) I commented that I can smell the end of the rainy season in Antigua Guatemala and some people in Facebook began asking how do I know.

Well, I believe that one important factor are the winds blowing from the north which are cold and have a different smell. The winds I believe push the clouds away and clean the sky line. Another important detail is the position of Earth around the Sun which makes for a magical light that makes everything even more enchanting. That’s how we know.

If you have never visited Antigua Guatemala during the dry season (November through April) you’re missing out the best of what Antigua Guatemala. If I was you, I would start looking for inexpensive flight tickets right away.

The colossal volcano that stands to the south of Antigua Guatemala is known at present as Volcán de Agua, but before it was known as Hunajpú (yes, there many spellings). Hunahpú is the twin brother of Ixbalanqué as told in the Popol Vuh, sort of the Mayan Bible, the two Maya hero twins. If you have not read the Popul Vuh yet, you’re missing out on a great book, sacred as the Bible for many.

The Maya Hero Twins are the central figures of a narrative included within the colonial Quiché document called Popol Vuh (Book of the People), and constituting the oldest Maya myth to have been preserved in its entirety. Called Hunahpu and Xbalanque in Quiché, the Twins have also been identified in the art of the Classic Mayas (200-900 AD). The Twin motif recurs in many native American mythologies; the Mayan Twins in particular could be considered as mythical ancestors to the Mayan ruling lineages…

… With Xibalba defeated and the arrogant gods disposed of, Hunahpu and Xbalanque had one final act to accomplish. They returned to the Xibalban ballcourt and retrieved the buried remains of their father, One Hunahpu, and attempted to rebuild him. Although his body was made whole again he was not the same, and was unable to function as he once did. The twins left their father there in the ballcourt, but before doing so told him that he would be prayed to by those who sought hope, and this eased his heart.
Then finished, the pair departed Xibalba and climbed back up to the surface of the Earth. They did not stop there, however, and continued climbing straight on up into the sky. One became the Sun, the other became the Moon. (…continue reading at Wikipedia)

The restaurant located on the best spot of Santo Domingo del Cerro goes by the name of Tenedor del Cerro. The views from this restaurant are simply breath-taking, especially during the dry season when you can see all three volcanoes hugging the Panchoy valley. Next to the restaurant there are a couple of terraces with magnificent views; plataformas they call them and there are many tables and lounge chair for you to sip a hot cup of coffee or cool down with Moza or Cabro as well as your favorite cocktail.

I recommend a visit to Santo Domingo del Cerro as well as Cerro de La Cruz and Finca Filadelfia to get the best panoramic vistas from the quincentennial colonial town of Santiago de Guatemala, also known as La Antigua Guatemala.

As you may know, here in La Antigua Guatemala, like in many places, on odd-numbered avenues traffic runs North and on even-numbered avenues traffic flows South.

How many places North of Antigua Guatemala do you know where you can have these landscape views? Can you guess which place I’m referring to? How do you get to this place?

A hint: a few days ago the post would have been titled Sunset Amongst Volcanoes, any hypothesis as to why the change of title?

text and photos by Arturo Godoy.

It doesn’t matter how many times you have seen Volcán de Fuego erupting, each time is unique and special. Here’s my good friend @cvander taking a snapshot to share with his friends in Facebook.

We were en route to the RENAP office in Ciudad Vieja when Fuego volcano began its eruption activity.

Do you know what RENAP is and why do Guatemalans have to go there? if not, follow the white rabbit, as always!

In my never endless pursuit of bringing your familiar vistas from unfamiliar perspectives I present to you volcanoes Fuego and Acatenango as seen from San Felipe de Jesús.

I know MO will be happy to comment on the omnipresent electric wires, but how about you, what you think? Have you seen the volcanoes from this angle?

Día de Reyes or Epiphany Ephemerides: Today is celebrated the Epiphany or better known as Día de Reyes in Latin America. Unlike other Spanish-speaking countries, Guatemala does not make a big deal of the arrival of the Tres Reyes Magos. If you want to read and view photos about the Epiphany, follow the white rabbit.

On the road to San Juan del Obispo you can find this view, where you can see
a coffee plantation in the foreground with the Acatenango and Fuego Volcanoes in the background. When I was on my way to San Juan del Obispo, I just had to stop and capture this fleeting vista. I am glad I did because now I can share it with you.

text and photo by Arturo Godoy.

About three years ago while doing a job with the terrible weather conditions I was able to capture this sunrise vista which is one of the few photos that saved the trip for me.

text and photo by Arturo Godoy.

How do you think you would feel if you were on top of the Acatenango Volcano and then you watched the Fuego Volcano erupting and making a huge loud noises? I tell you it was loud!!! It was just impressive!!! It’s one of those things that happen a few times in life; something that reminds us on how small we are when we find ourselves on nature’s hands.

text and photo by Arturo Godoy.

A year ago we went to Café Sky to celebrate a friend’s birthday and all of a sudden I glanced to my right and saw the San Francisco El Grande church with the Volcán de Agua nicely lit despite that area was a bit hazy. I wish I knew a little history the San Francisco El Grande church so I could share it with you. Perhaps Rudy or Nelo who actually lived in front of the church can come forward to let us know about the San Francisco El Grande church. Or what about you, what can you share with us?

text and photo by Arturo Godoy.

Just compared today’s November photo with last year’s November photo which marked the end of the rainy season.

That’s right, we want to know who stole our beautiful, rain-and-cloud-free November. This year has been the rainiest year ever. This October, which normally is still part of the rainy season, was pretty much dry and gorgeous, just like Novembers are usually. And this November, which is the beginning of the dry season, has had lots of rain and cloudy skies, just like Octobers are normally. In fact, now that I think about it, it looks like more like somebody switched the order of October and November.

Anyway, we want our “normal” November back; it’s urgent!

While some people prefer to make an extra buck, or a lot more extra bucks, here in La Antigua Guatemala some of us try to just live with what nature presents us. So, here is an experiment on a brief time lapse when the Volcán de Fuego erupted on September 14 while I was capturing the gorgeous sunset.

How can some people forget to live life?

text, photo and video by Arturo Godoy. Check out Arturo’s portfolio to purchase photos from his massive photographic bank.