There Goes 2008
That’s it. As the sun sets today we will be waving goodbye to 2008. I want to take this opportunity to thank …
Clouds and Water Volcano in Harmony
Volcanoes and clouds have a harmonious relationship. Often you see volcanoes surrounded by clouds. It looks like volcanoes have magnetism which attracts …
Chicharrones, Chicharrines and Carnitas, Anyone, Anyone?
Carnita is the Guatemalan Spanish word for chunks of meat from pork. Chicharrón is the word for pork rinds or deep-fried pork …
Where Are You Taking Me?
Oh please, please, can somebody explain to me where did these tacky dancing Disney figures come from and how they became such …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Corderos de Pashte
You saw the lambs made from dried corn husks just a few days ago. Then you saw the Spanish moss or pashte …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Aserrín
Aserrín (sawdust) is used often in Guatemala for decorations, especially the world famous Holy Week carpets. Sawdust is dyed with bright colors …
Everyone Burns Firecrackers in Guatemala for Christmas
Christmas Day is a very quiet and easy-going day in Guatemala. But, it does not begins like that. On the contrary, right …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: El Nacimiento
Right at midnight on December 24th/25th, baby Jesus is put in the Nacimiento scene set up on December 8th (do you remember?). …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Las Posadas
On December 23rd the quest for lodging or the act of pedir posada ends and marks the beginning of preparations for Christmas …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Pashte
One of the most important decorations for the nacimientos is the pashte; also known as paxtle, paste, pastle, or simply heno, which …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Musgo
Musgo is the Spanish word for moss. Musgo is used for the nacimiento scenes (nativities scenes) in Guatemala. You buy musgo by …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Cordones de Pino
As I said at the very beginning of the Guatemalan Christmas Decoration series, the pine tree provides many elements of the Christmas …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Pajilla
Paja (straw) or pajilla (little straw) are also found in the nativity scenes in the Guatemalan homes known as nacimientos in Spanish. …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Corderos de Tusa
We’re Hombres de Maíz. Follow the white rabbit and you’ll know why! Corderos (lambs) made from tusa (dried corn husk) are very …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Gallitos
These tree parasites are known as gallitos or patas de gallo. Once again, I am going to abuse from your kindness and …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Pascuas
Flor de Pascua, Flor de Noche Buena or simply Pascuas are how poinsettias are known in Guatemala. Poinsettias are native to Guatemala …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Manzanillas
The chamomile rings are known as manzanilla in Guatemala (tejocotes in Mexican Spanish). The aroma of a Guatemalan Christmas decoration is provided …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Pino
Pino is the name by which Guatemalans refer to the pine needles used as Christmas decorations, specifically, to spread around the floor …
Guatemalan Christmas Decorations: Chicuyas
Chicuyas is the name by which Guatemalans name the part of the pine tree, which I don’t its English name (can you …
Arches, Anyone, Anyone?
Sometimes in your way to work, you just have to stop, take a deep breath and sip from your cup of coffee …
Churros, Anyone, Anyone?
It just occurred to me that the United States is one of the largest Spanish-speaking countries since it has one of the largest populations of Spanish speakers. Spanish has been spoken in the U.S. from a time before its independence. And at the rate at which the Spanish-speaking population grows, faster than any other, you may have to hablar español sooner or después. Remember that you can always come to La Antigua Guatemala to take Spanish classes in the more than 65 Spanish Schools available in this tiny colonial town.
Setting Up Shop for Christmas Season
So after the Burning of the Devil is over and the set up of the Nacimientos has already began, we can assume …
Cremas vs Rojos: Who Wants to Play
I am playing with the rojos, as always, so you play the cremas. 😉 If there are more people willing to play, …
Guatemalan Nacimiento or Nativity Scene
The official date for the commencement of the Christmas season in Guatemala is December 8th, although many malls and commercial centers, imitating …
The Disappearance of the Burning of the Devil Tradition in Guatemala
Okay, let me break the bad news to you guys. The Burning of the Devil tradition in Guatemala is disappearing. Even though, …
Guatemalan Chicken Bus Junk Yard
Would you like to be the proud owner of this chicken bus junk yard? I take only serious offers… Tomorrow, December 7th, …
Colorful Chicken Bus Terminal
A quick trip to the handicrafts market provides a handful of colorful images like the one above. Stay tune for upcoming photos …
Petting My Dear Friend, The Chucho
If you come to this web site looking for artistic or touristic photographs from Guatemala, you’ve come in vein because here you …
La Antigua Guatemala Becomes the First Digital City in Central America
The above sign about ZONA WIFI (wifi zone) now on display on the four corners of the Plaza Mayor (Main Plaza) of …
Guatemalan Green Sauce Ingredients
Given the main ingredients above, can you name the Guatemalan sauce that will be prepared? Happy Birthday Chata! (I-heart-U).
Theme Day: Circles/Spheres
“I miss playing tenta, el botecito, escondite, kick-ball, cincos, trompos and all the good old games kids play…” —MO It was only …