In this photo you can see how some simple details and their repetition turn a utilitarian architectonic device like the stairway into a gorgeous piece of every-day beauty. You take the bare stairway, add the martirinado effect (hammered and chipped-away) to the huella (the run), some repetitive patterns in the form of ceramic tiles to … Read more
In the Casa Antigüeña you often find stairways or staircases. Quite often you find forged metal handrails beautifully worked by the antigüeño blacksmiths. Wait a minute Rudy, you’ve had said before that the building codes in La Antigua Guatemala prohibit new two-storey constructions. Oops, that’s right I said that. But, I did not mention at … Read more
Now, I don’t know if the fireplace was an element of the original house from La Antigua Guatemala, but in recent years it looks like, under the influence of the expat community, the fireplace has become commonplace inside all the new houses. I say that I am not sure about the fireplace being an original … Read more
The area for el comedor (dining room) in the casa antigüeña has always flowers nearby, light, lots of it and usually at least a window. Sometimes you also get to see arches or domes or both in the dining area of the houses from Antigua. In this case, the dining area is clean and elegant … Read more
The kitchen area in the casa antigüeña usually has a high ceiling provided by cupola which in most cases served as chimney, but in most recent times and design is simply a decorative architectonic element. You normally find arches inside the house, the kitchen being no exception. The counter is usually cover with ceramic tiles … Read more
Casas antigüeñas normally have at least one corridor or hallway, usually next to the garden and fountain. Omnipresent are the terra cotta floor tiles and wood beans and columns. Now Stephanie asked how typical is the house that will be shown in the Casa antigüeña series on the first entry. Good question. Well the house … Read more
Several times people have asked to show the inside of a house from La Antigua Guatemala and I had said that I would show as many aspects of casa antigüeña (House from Antigua) if I was ever given permission. Well, we can rejoice now because we’re going to begin a tour through the inside of … Read more
One of favorite sections of the Los Angeles Times used to be Only in LA and I believe that when I started to collect some off-beat and quite outrageous images from Guatemala, I was definitely inspired by Only in LA. With today’s image of a menu showing refacciones típicas (Guatemalan typical/traditional snacks) and displaying hamburger, … Read more
With new Municipal government in 2008 came some rather obvious nice things that were missing from the main entrance to La Antigua Guatemala, like two large giant flag staves with the Guatemalan flag and Sacatepéquez Department flag, similar arrangement as found in the Municipal City Hall building. There is also a very colorful, especially at … Read more
Many times, when foreigners are looking at listings for houses or apartments for rent or sale in La Antigua Guatemala, they come across the word búcaro; which is a full stop and they simply roll their eyes. Their online live Spanish tutor did not prepare them for obscure and archaic architectonic terms; at this moment … Read more
Boy oh boy, the things I do to bring you first-hand, eye-witness coverage daily from La Antigua Guatemala. I’ve done the unthinkable, I threw myself into the zip lines of the Antigua Canopy Tours inside the coffee plantation Finca Filadelfia so you can have an idea of what to expect next time you come to … Read more
… But, full of hope! What better way to start our new journey than with a party. If you are in La Antigua Guatemala, the place to be tonight, between 6:30 and 10:30 p.m., to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, is Casa Convento Concepción, Calle La Concepción No. 41 where Democrats … Read more
I have shown quite of few pictures of the park in San Pedro Las Huertas , a village within the La Antigua Guatemala municipality, but I don’t think I have ever shown the entire park itself. What makes this plaza so particular and unique is the fact that there is a very large public laundry … Read more
I present to you the first güisquil, also known as chayote or perulero, from our back yard orchard. Güisquiles are such an integral part of the Guatemalan diet that sometimes you find it in the most unusual dishes. Güisquiles are also very important vegetable from the milpa crop as mentioned by Charles C. Mann in … Read more
Oh February, what a magnificent month to visit La Antigua Guatemala. First, you get to enjoy the Día del Cariño y Amistad celebrations; heck if you’re lucky you may come across a house plastered with I LOVE YOU post-it notes on Valentine’s Day. You can buy cascarones (colorful egg shells filled with confetti) to celebrate … Read more