Even the Sidewalks Get a New Look

Even the sidewalks get a new look for the visit of King Don Carlos and Queen Doña Sofí­a from Spain this Friday. According to the woman supervising the painting of the plaza of San Pedro Las Huertas, Don Carlos and Doña Sofí­a will be visiting this village, just outside La Antigua Guatemala on Friday; I … Read more

Kings, Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers Wanted

Just yesterday I told you about the paint jobs that many houses and buildings undergo for the Holy Week Celebrations. Also, every time a king, a queen, president or prime minister decides to take visit Guatemala or La Antigua Guatemala, this old town undergoes a rejuvenating process of new paint, fixing the cobblestone streets, painting … Read more

New Paint Jobs in Antigua for the Holy Week

Many houses and business buildings get a new paint job right before the Holy Week. The streets of La Antigua Guatemala get repaired as well. All this rejuvenating and face-lifts of this old town are needed to make Antigua Guatemala look its best for the Holy Week (Semana Santa in Spanish). As a matter of … Read more

Purple Cone-Head Cucuruchos Are a Big Attraction

Purple cone-head “Cucuruchos” are a big attraction around Antigua Guatemala in the Lent Season. Although Cucurucho’ dresses come in many colors, bright purple or violet are the most-often seen color. But, the purple/violet color is not only present in the cone-head dresses worn by the cucurushos, it is also available in banners that dress up … Read more

Processional Musicians Play Sorrowful Tunes

One characteristic which I enjoy about processions is the sorrowful tunes that are played by the mournful marching bands that follow the floats. Come back tomorrow to hear a sample piece; in the mean time I can only advance to you that they sound like the Godfather Soundtrack. Tags: Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo / Antigua … Read more

Children’s Procession in La Antigua Guatemala

Back on Ash Wednesday, February 21st, 2007, I said that in the Catholic Realm the Holy Week celebration had begun with Ash Wednesday. Around Antigua, this means the commencement of all kinds of religious rituals like processions. Above you see a children’s procession caught by my viewfinder on Saturday 17th. For many people not used … Read more

The Colegio Mayor de Santo Tomás Sign

The sign above is at entrance doorway of the Colegio Mayor de Santo Tomás de Aquino, School of Saint Thomas, and you can see it in context in the façade of the building shown two days ago. I really like the fact that many signs, even commercial signs, in Antigua Guatemala are made from hand-drawn … Read more

This is where Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) was founded

This humble building is where Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, USAC, was founded as part of Francisco Marroquí­n’s wish and will. The USAC was the third university founded in the American continent, right after Mexico’s and Peru’s universities. It was founded by the name of Colegio Mayor de Santo Tomás, the School of Saint … Read more