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Today we begin a new mini series: The Real Guatemala.

Claudia she was bringing back some long lost memories from her dear Guatemala, in her own words, “No helmets, no amber alerts, no Wiis, just a plastic ball or if lucky a real soccer ball, I feel one component that I loved of living down there was that you knew everyone and everyone knew you, or of you, do you know what I mean? You spoke to your neighbors, you knew their names, where they worked, etc. Heck, you could even have refaccion together, at night you could hang… have some decent conversation about everything and nothing…”

Although things have changed a bit from the old and romantic Guatemala that Claudia is nostalgic about, much have not changed.

MO continues, “I miss the good old days and the sense of community. I miss playing futbol in the streets after school. I miss playing tenta, el botecito, escondite, kick-ball, cincos, trompos and all the good old games kids play (I hope still do). It was such a beautiful thing sitting on the banqueta at night under the star filled sky with all the kids from the block telling jokes or stories about El Duende, La Ciguanaba, El Cadejo, La Llorona and other great Guatemala folk tales. I miss those days. ***SUSPIRO***”

Do you think this image captures the nostalgic sentiments of Claudia and MO?

As I have mentioned before, Lent and Semana Santa is an equal-opportunity tradition. As you can see here, even little girls get a chance to carry a float, small, but still their float. By the way, the male carriers are called cucuruchos and the female carriers are known as hermanas cargadoras.

I call the little girls, niñas cargadoras; who knows what’s the proper name for the little girls who carry the float?

As I mentioned yesterday, there will be Lent and Holy Week celebrations in Antigua Guatemala for a long while. These religious traditions are being passed on to the very young. Here we see young cucuruchos, bearers, as they carried the small float from the Cathedral. I recorded a small video clip with the iPhone to give you an idea of the sounds and feel of the small processions.

If you had the opportunity, would you wear a robe and carry one of the floats?

This photo was taken around the basket ball court of the public school of San Juan del Obispo shown a few days ago in AntiguaDailyPhoto.

At the University of Michigan I came across this summary of why PE is so important:

It is a known fact that physical activity improves overall health. Not only does it improve circulation, increase blood flow to the brain, and raise endorphin levels, which all help to reduce stress, improve mood and attitude, and calm children, physically active students may also achieve more academically.

I would also add the fun factor which is probably the only thing one cares about physical education in school, wouldn’t you agree?

As I have mentioned before, Guatemala’s school year begins in January and end in October. So even though in many places of the world right now is summer vacation, in Guatemala we’re about 70% into the school year. Yesterday there was a break in Antigua Guatemala because on 25th of July, antigüeños celebrate their patron’s saint day, Día de Santiago, Saint James Day.

Another interesting fact about Guatemala’s educational system is the fact that after 12 years of schooling, 14 if you include pre-school, graduates receive a vocational or junior career diploma such as primary school teacher, junior accountant, et cetera.

What other junior career diplomas are given after 12 years of education?

This photograph was taken at the entrance of El Hato village, located about 5 kilometers from La Antigua Guatemala. El Hato villages belongs to La Antigua Guatemala municipality, but if you decide to visit, you will find the typical Guatemalan village embedded in the highlands. The road between and Antigua Guatemala and El Hato is very picturesque with plenty of panoramic photo opportunities. If you decide to visit El Hato, take the road that takes you to Cerro de la Cruz and just continue driving past the entrance of El Cerro de la Cruz. You won’t regret it!

On October 1 Guatemala celebrates Día del niño translated Child’s Day or Children’s Day. I grabbed my camera and went to the Plaza Mayor (the Main Plaza) to see if I could captured some pictures to show you some happy faces. I am happy to report a mission accomplished and then some. I probably have about 20 good images with lots of smiling faces.

After I had finished taking pictures I sat a bench to enjoy a rainless moment in Parque Central with lots of really good vibes. I could almost say I had a happy instant and I am sure I must’ve smiled. I had my shoes shines and then a conversation with a couple and their daughter who came from Chimaltenango to compartir with la familia (to have a good time with the family). The father was a fellow park photographer from Chimaltenango and we obviously talked about the quick labs and the cost of park photographs costs in La Antigua Guatemala and Chimaltenango. I recommend a few places they must see and enjoy before they left Antigua Guatemala and said our good-byes. The couple look very similar to the parents in the main photo above.

Children came and went smiling, eating candy and ice cream. Some came with their parents, others came as part of a school activity yet others just wondered around with their friends. All in all, Parque Central was a good place to recharge the hope and optimism batteries.

Nevertheless, we should not forget, as my friend and colleague Luis Toribio said in his personal blog, the high levels of misery in which the children of Guatemala live. Guatemala is among the top countries in the world with malnutrition. There are many children who lack health services and education. Many children spend their days on the streets working instead of being in school as I mentioned in Antigua’s Child Labor back in May 2006. Let’s not forget… but for now let me savor the happy smiles around Parque Central!

When is Child’s Day celebrated in your neck of the woods?