Loving Couple in Antigua’s Central Park

The indigenous people of Guatemala rarely show their love in public; affection yes, but kissing kind of love, very seldom. Perhaps, this reservation is another aspect of the Guatemalan identity.

What do you guys think?

10 Responses to "Loving Couple in Antigua’s Central Park"

Ellen says:

June 18, 2008 at 10:31 am

When my 6 year old son and I were in La Antigua in March I noticed this sort of smooching all over the central park. Primarily teenagers/young adults. My son was kind of grossed out by it all!

Like you said in a recent post, the indigenous ways are fading away. Very sad but I guess it’s happening all over the world.

Thanks so much for your work on this site. I really look forward to looking at your emails each day.

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Santiago says:

June 18, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Rudy, you are right. It is a rare site to see Indigenous couples kissing in public. Ladinos, however can really start “getting it on” in public. Especially high school students.

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Santiago says:

June 18, 2008 at 12:13 pm

Thanks for reminding me about Flan Antrgueño. I had forgotten about them and had lunch there yesterday. The hamburgeso combo 2 costs less that Burger King and comes with a large glass of beer. I had a “mixta”. Maybe off to La Fuente today!

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Ebony says:

June 18, 2008 at 12:55 pm

Wow, that is the first time I have ever seen that. Great capture of a rare moment! I lived in la capital for seven and a half months and taught English in San Cristobal Zona 8 de Mixco. I loved visiting Antigua. I love it’s international feel and all of the old ruins mixed in with the new. I just love it. Your blog is great and it makes me feel nostalgia for Guatmala. I have been home now in the states for almost a year and I can’t stop thinking about Guatemala. There are so many blaring contrasts….the ugly and the beautiful. I witnessed both daily. I am yearning to come back. Keep up the good work.

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Monica Palomo says:

June 18, 2008 at 1:01 pm

I don’t know Rudy and Santiago, I have to say I have seen quite a few indigenas kissing like that… Say a park in Chichicastenango… The Ruinas de Tecpan… or even San Juan del Obispo, despite the fact San Juan is a smaller community. Usually on a Sunday afternoon. I am sure I have seen it, maybe not as often as the highschool students at the Parque Central, but I’ve seen it a few times 😉 Still, I agree Guatemalans have a different kind of “PDA”.
Thanks for sharing again Rudy…I open this photos everyday at around noon… 🙂

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Lessie says:

June 18, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Arresting photo. I love the green above them. The space between them and the photographer. The placement of their arms and hands. The pic seems voyoueristic — and yet loving and sweet. Even sentimental and maybe innocent. I might crop a bit from the right — to put them in a more secluded area. Course, that might cut off the tree in an unpleasant way. Can you tell I love this photo? Sigh. To be in love…

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Kris says:

June 18, 2008 at 7:43 pm

It makes me a little uncomfortable, but I am aware that it is my problem and shouldn’t stop people from showing affection in public. As long as the clothes stay on, that is! 🙂

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MaggieD says:

June 19, 2008 at 6:52 am

RE: Repetition: this one should be submitted to a photography contest somewhere! Excellent! Feelings evoked? Makes me want to grab my pencils and sketching paper (the highest compliment from an artist to a photographer)!

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LD says:

June 19, 2008 at 9:56 pm

I feel like I have seen several Indigenous couples such as this one getting it on in public. I remember being surprised when I first saw it. But it does happen. And the park is a popular spot. Or there’s always the doorway make-out. It was explained to me as– well, they’re not allowed to go into one of their houses and kiss so they choose a public place instead.

In Xela, every afternoon I used to pass a couple standing in the doorway of what was I believe the young woman’s place. 5pm, never fail, they were always there locking lips. Here in Canada, most people are more reserved than that, though I’d say it’s a different story in Quebec… you know the French and their French kissing 🙂

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Ram N says:

June 20, 2008 at 10:42 pm

i was momentarily surprised at the pic and actually thought this kind of public affection is quite common in Guatemala, but when i read the accompanying lines i understood this is becoming a new culture like in India.
being indigenous or conservative (like the others wud like to call this side) is close to the heart i guess across the world …. 🙂

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Loving Couple in Antigua’s Central Park

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