La Antigua Guatemala Without Barriers

Even though I said before that people enjoy walking and strolling La Antigua Guatemala. I sort of lied. See walking is still the best way to get to know and to enjoy La Antigua. But the problem is that the sidewalks are uneven, there are all kinds blocking part of the sidewalk and many people hit their head with the concrete or rock window sills. Sometimes the sidewalk gets broken by a driveway or the cement cover of the water meter is missing and there is huge hole where you break your foot. So I sort of lied, but you can still enjoy the strolls around Antigua Guatemala, if you are careful.

However, if you are handicapped, La Antigua Guatemala could be a nightmare. There aren’t wheelchair ramps in the corners; the sidewalks are too narrow; and you still have to deal all the problems listed above. La Antigua sin barreras (La Antigua Guatemala Without Barriers) was a project/NGO which tried to fix the sidewalks and made them wheelchair/handicap friendly. Whichever block they were able to fix, the placed a tiny handicap white-and-blue tile. You can see how small the tiles are by looking at this other photo. I don’t know whatever happened to La Antigua Guatemala Without Barriers project, but for sure they were not able to fix all the sidewalks around Antigua Guatemala. Too bad, because by fixing the sidewalks for the handicap, they were fixing the sidewalks for everybody else.

Does anybody know what happened to La Antigua Guatemala Without Barriers?

One Way says:

June 25, 2007 at 2:05 am

Sounds like a very worthwhile project, shame it didn’t continue.
I really love your photo though, it’s a great composition.

Gerald says:

June 25, 2007 at 7:23 am

The trouble with half finished projects like this is that makes one part accessible but it leads to somewhere that isn’t accessible so wheelchair users don’t use the new paths that go nowhere and then people say it isn’t being used and excuse themselves from doing more.
Hope someone shames them into doing a proper job.

stephanie says:

June 25, 2007 at 10:29 am

interesting piece of info. i really enjoy this website. I added Antiqua daily as one of my favorites. I was in antigua two years ago. i miss it. i plan to go back. but i check everyday your photos to remember it.

Rudy says:

June 25, 2007 at 7:56 pm

OneWay, thanks for the feedback. I agree with you, it is shame that the project did not continue.

Gerald, I believe the project was a community or a small group of people initiative and I am almost sure they ran out of funds or could not get financing for the rest of the town. Too bad, but I believe this sort of project should be the town hall’s government responsibility anyway; that is why we pay our taxes! However, that is another entry on itself.

Stephanie, thanks for the feedback. I hope you continue to visit as often as possible. Remember, everyday brings a new photo to the front.

jerry says:

June 30, 2007 at 8:40 am

La Anitgua is tough enough on the ankles in area, I can only imaging how difficult it would be with crutches or a wheelchair. I think I would have to wear a crash helmet to protect the head from the cement window sills which, by the way, always seem to catch me at shoulder or elbow height. Maybe an all-terrain wheelchair project…..?

Craig says:

March 6, 2008 at 8:55 pm

Interesting article, I’m a wheelchair user and I’m going to be in Antigua next week. Never mind the pavements, I can’t even find a bed to sleep in at an accessible hostel for less than $100 a night! I’ll let you know how it goes……

Craig

La Antigua Guatemala Without Barriers

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