The second Sunday of Lent is the turn for the village of Santa Inés del Monte Pulciano. It is at this processional float when many cucuruchos from Guatemala City make their first appearance. For this procession, Nelo Mijangos took 752 photos and “only” walked 19.4 kilometers or 12 miles. You can see his route on … Read more
Beginning with the first Sunday after Ash Wednesday, there are processions each Sunday of Lent and the first procession comes out the village of Santa Catarina Bobadilla. Make sure you click on the images to look at a larger version to really appreciate all the details. Each day this week, Nelo will share his most … Read more
The recently anointed “abuelito” to my first born, took us three (my girlfriend, my daughter, and I) to Finca Filadelfia where we enjoyed a tour of the plantation and had a taste of the most delicious coffee we have ever had. Our tour guide, Josué, was kind and knowledgeable, taking us through the history of … Read more
Los Fantasmas de La Antigua Guatemala Growing up in Guatemala, I was often scared down to the bones by tales of famous Guatemalan ghosts that frightened many generations of pedestrians that braved the dark streets of the City and La Antigua. La llorona, El Cadejo, El Sombreron, among them. According to my grandparents, many of … Read more
Have a happy Guatemalan Independence Day weekend everyone. Enjoy the multimedia material I have compiled for you! Once again, we have to thank Nelo Mijangos for sharing his photos with us. Our regular contributor and friend Guy Howard shares his gallery of civic events for September 15 in Antigua Guatemala. Free into the wind, your … Read more
Torches, marathons and student marching bands parades are the main activities Guatemalans do for celebrating Independence Day. These activities usually begin manifesting on the first days of September, but around 10 or 11 is impossible not to notice them. Each activities has a reason and history as to how it became part of the Independence … Read more
![Miércoles de ceniza by Leonel [nelo] Mijangos](https://i0.wp.com/antiguadailyphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/120222_v_jes_mil-62_ver.jpeg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1)
The Cuaresma (Lent) period which leads into Semana Santa (Holy Week) begins every year with Miércoles de ceniza (Ash Wednesday). As in previous years, I set myself aside and let my dear friend Nelo share his excellent Cuaresma imagery since he’s quite possibly the person with most photos of Lent and the Holy Week; he’s … Read more
Not even a week had elapsed since I shared with you the incredible vistas from La Casaca as shown on the post Having Breakfast in Antigua Guatemala when my friend Norman Avila decided to come up to the terrace and make this panoramic vista of Parque Central. We should thank Norman for sharing this unique … Read more
Pantempters Steel Orchestra is Belize’s most dynamic and entertaining steel band and they played this past weekend at the stage next to the Cathedral. The Pantempters Steel Orchestra first begun in 1992 as a university steel band at the University College of Belize, under the directorship of the then Dr. Colville Young (now Governor General … Read more
Los Bomberos Voluntarios (Voluntary Fire Deparment) were giving demonstration of equipment outside of the Capuchinas Ruins this weekend. It looks like the kids were having a blast with the water hose, although the little boy seemed a bit reluctant to take charge of the water hose all by himself. By the way, in Guatemala there … Read more
Sábado de Gloria is a quieter day with only small processions carried by women known as Las Dolorosas (The Grief or Suffering women) follwing the Vía Dolorosa. Sábado de Gloria is also the day when Judas’ Will (testament) is read, a sort of farcical speech or a neighborhood chisme speech. Kids and teenagers also play … Read more
Do not underestimate the power of catholic imagery. You see, the world-famous Antigua Guatemala processions are about showing the devoted images as a reminder and representation of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Also, today all Stations of the Cross altars will be open and many if not all procession will pay a visit to El Calvario Church, which is located on the southern outskirts of La Antigua Guatemala. El Calvario or Calvary (Golgotha) is the name of the mount on the outskirts of Jerusalem where it’s believe Jesus Christ was crucified. This church with its three arches provides a symbolic representation of the crucifixion; with each arch representing each cross.
Cucuruchos with their purple or violet cone-head rebes are another prominent element of Semana Santa in Antigua Guatemala. Purple is worn as a sign of penitence. As a matter of fact, processions are a sign of penitence as well, heck the whole Semana Santa is a penitent act. Not only Cucuruchos have to observe penitence … Read more
There’s nothing more impressive during the Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala than seen these massive floats, andas in Spanish, being carried by 80 to 100 cucuruchos. Click on any of the images to get a slide show started with larger versions of these images. Needless to say we’re in debt with Nelo for sharing these … Read more
Guatemala is a country of Desaparecidos (disappeared) and La Antigua Guatemala is not an exception. These colorful and friendly street vendors and their traditional carts vanished without leaving a trace or even causing a murmur. These honest and hard-working people simply desaparecieron (disappeared). They are missing… and missed. 🙁 My friend and colleague Miguel De … Read more