Guatemalan Flags in Banco Industrial

This corner building became one of the branches of Banco Industrial, Guatemala’s largest baking corporation, when this baking corporation acquired one of its rivals Banco de Occidente. This corner is prime location because it is one the corners of Parque Central, the main plaza, between the portal del ayuntamiento (city hall) the portal de las panaderas in La Antigua Guatemala. The jacarandas shot shown in Jacarandas at Antigua’s Central Park was taken from the corner window in the second floor.

The photo above was taken on August 31st, which was a payday and that is why you see all those people were queuing to get their salary from the banks. Tomorrow, Guatemalans will be queuing again to cast their vote. Also, this was the first time (this year) I noticed the Guatemalan flags that will adorn the buildings through September, which is the independence month. Guatemala’s so called independence from Spain is celebrated on September 15th. Check out the Independence Day Slideshow from last year.

I read recently (I don’t recall where at the moment) that to be truly independent a country must have sufficient wealth as to not have to depend on an outsider (duh!); well, let me break it to you guys, Guatemala has not been an independent country for the last 500 years or so. When I was teenager, I remember reading a Mafalda anthology where Mafalda was reading a history book and all of sudden she screams: You mean we were part of Spain, who the hell had the bright idea of independizarnos (freed us from Spain)! Back then, I laughed so hard at the comic strip, but just now I get the joke. Thanks Quino. 🙁

Remember, tomorrow Guatemala will be holding its general elections lottery (as Pamela calls it). Come back tomorrow night for an overview of the process and a link farm from all the blogs and sites covering the event.

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