Societa Dante Alighieri in Antigua

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

Don Quijote in Antigua Guatemala

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

Angelina’s Doorway

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

Take My Photograph

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

Lent Celebrations Began Today

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

Charcoal-grilled meats at Tanque de la Unión

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

Guatemalan Cuisine Sampler

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

Spinning tops

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

Rusted Owl

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?

Guatemalan Jars at the Artisans Fair

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

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