A couple of years ago, I made the declaration that public washbasins, lavaderos, and water tanks, pilas, are the current social media networks of the villagers around Antigua Guatemala. Well, while talking the ladies in this public washbasin in San Juan del Obispo, I can reiterate that this declaration still holds true. Public laundry washbasins … Read more
As I have mentioned before, it doesn’t matter what day of the week one stops by the public washbasins, lavaderos around Antigua Guatemala, one will always find the ladies doing the laundry either their own or somebody else’s. I have chatted with several of these women and I’ve asked what were some of the reasons … Read more
Today, as in colonial times, these public water tanks and washbasins serve as the places for doing the laundry and for water distribution. Furthermore, public laundry washbasins (sometimes river or lake shores) serve as the gathering place for news, gossip and community building through the interactions that take place. Public washbasins could be considered the … Read more