Dante Alighieri also crossed the Atlantic Ocean in search for wider public for his Divine Comedy. It seems like the old folks had better sense of humor. Alighieri, Cervantes and Shakespeare had great sense of humor and for sure they would needed it if they saw what we done with this world. Not even 33 … Read more
In the first decade of 1600s, one ingenious Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra set out to write a humorous tale about a tall, thin, fancy-struck knight by the name of Quijote (Quixote in old Spanish) and the fat, squat, world-wearing Panza. He succeeded in writing a very comic story and a best-seller, but little did he … Read more
I am sure this doorway will fit perfectly in MarieMC‘s Doorways Around the World. Well, I may be wrong because since she updated her submission guidelines she now only accepts doorways that are beautiful. We’ll see. Angelina is decor shop in Antigua Guatemala with ‘big things for big budgets,’ I overheard someone saying once. It … Read more
Even though most, if not all, of the quick photo labs are digital now in La Antigua Guatemala, the old and traditional photo studios still remain open. How long will they stay open, I don’t know. I saw how in less than 18 months all the quick photo lab went digital and how the Guatemalan … Read more
Back on February 8th, 2007 on the entry New Aesthetic Values for an Old Town, I mentioned how many things are still made completely by hand, thus it is impossible to get two items to look the same. The angels in this wall at Doña Luisa Xicotencatl are a very good example of the beauty … Read more
The restaurant and bakery housed under the name of Doña Luisa Xicotencatl, on 4a calle oriente #12 in La Antigua Guatemala, has become a landmark of the town. Many people meet here for breakfast on the weekends or lunch during the week. I believe one the reason this business has become a landmark is the … Read more
A little over a week ago, Mary Johnston asked if I could publish a photo of Jacarandas. Well, I found some trees in Parque Central, out of all places, and in the process I manage to snap a shot of Central Park which I believe to be quite original. At least I haven’t seen this … Read more
In the Catholic realm the Holy Week Celebrations begin today with the Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Cuaresma, the Spanish term for the forty days of the Lent season. The Holy Week celebrations in La Antigua Guatemala end at this church: El Calvario. Back in January 18th, I showed you the El Calvario … Read more
One of the most popular meals around Antigua is charcoal-grilled meats like beef, chicken, pork in adobo curry, sausages —red and white with herbs— all with radish salad, avocado sauce —guacamol is the Guatemalan spelling—, chirmol —a Guatemalan pico de gallo sauce—. Everything is freshly made, including the charcoal. As you can see, there are … Read more
Nowhere is Guatemala’s syncretism more evident than in its food. Here you have a sampler of what is considered authentic traditional Guatemalan dishes, yet you can see Chinese fried rice and chow mein, French roll sandwiches fill with Spanish-style pierna (leg), Russian potato salad, buche and tomato salad, revolcado Guatemalan curry, Guatemalan tacos (fried flautas), … Read more
Trompo is the Spanish word for spinning top. Here you can see the Guatemalan wooden handicraft version and one of them at full spin. Some of you who have been following the photos at this site might remember these arches from the Book Fair in Antigua, back in July 22nd, 2006. Also, there is a … Read more
Wood is a very popular material for handicrafts made by the artisans around Antigua Guatemala. Last year on May 25th I told you about the meaning of the name of this country: The name Guatemala derives from the word Goathemala which was given by the Spanish conquistadors and it derives from Quauhtlemallan a word from … Read more
The Artisans Fair was the showcase for the handicrafts made in all the villages around Antigua Guatemala. So far we have seen textiles, seeds, jade jewelry, wood, fruit and vegetable jars and now a forged metal owl. Wouldn’t you like to have a piece like this in one your rooms?
One of the things that caught by viewfinder at the artisans fair was sweets and pickles in the jars. Although this photo is not as colorful as Olivia’s Pickels from Istanbul Daily Photo, it shows some of the fruits and vegetables very popular in Guatemala like Nisperos (the yellow fruit jars also known as Loquat), … Read more
The crosses are everywhere around Antigua Guatemala even though one may become blind to them after a while. This black cross was capture in the Fair of Artisans from around Antigua. As a matter of fact, all the recent folk-art photos where taken there, including Don’t get burn! and Close-up View of Guatemalan Textiles. There … Read more