The Nun and The Limousine

It is quite common to see nuns and priests walking around La Antigua Guatemala since this town is basically almost 100% Catholic. I have caught some them in previous pictures before. Well, you might remember the photo of a monk framed with one the arches of the iglesia de San Francisco el Grande, right? At least I hope you do remember that. On the other hand, I am not sure you remember the nun carrying the portable computer in God and the Laptop.

Today’s image of a fleeting nun on her way to do some errands serves two purposes or single one really: contrast. Yes, we need the frame of the walking nun to see how massive this hummer vehicle really is. We also need the silhouette of a humble nun to show the contrast between simple lifestyle and opulence. Life is like that, full of contrasts and decision. We have touched this issue before in Haves and Have-Nots: Recycling the World Over and Chicken Buses are The Second Life of School Buses.

Anyhow, whatever you think of the contrast of lifestyles and whichever lifestyle you chose to live, it is my wish for you to at least pause to contemplate this simple sepia image from a foreign and strange world. Please, also share your feelings about it whatever they may be. I want to know. 😉

12 Responses to "The Nun and The Limousine"

Nelo Mijangos says:
August 4, 2009 at 11:14 pm
i like your last words “the contrast of lifestyles and whichever lifestyle you chose to live”, we haved a nice talk this afternoon about something similar with your co-worker Laura.
What does happiness means to everyone. Someone needs huge things to have their happiness and other will get it with less.
Now a question… how long you was waiting to get that great picture? or you was there at right place on the right moment.
I remember the monk, but i didn’t see before the “god and the laptop” and i like to ask if you have the god’s mail, hahaha.
see you at the Club Fotográfico de Antigua on Thursday.
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1. Rudy Girón says:
  August 5, 2009 at 8:21 am
  @nelomh, well, I did not wait long but I was there for two or three minutes taking several shots. Here is the first shot I took that day.
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leif hagen says:
August 5, 2009 at 6:09 am
Unbelievable! Who could afford such a beast in your town! It seems sooo out of place! What a gasoline hog!
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1. Rudy Girón says:
  August 5, 2009 at 9:14 am
  @Leif, just like Manolo said, don’t be fool by “third world country” label. There are plenty of people in Guatemala and especially around La Antigua Guatemala that can afford this kind of vehicles or even private jets. Remember, La Antigua Guatemala is NOT a city of low-income people. 🙁
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Eric says:
August 5, 2009 at 6:53 am
First, nice sepia shot, and beautiful contrast – both the hues and the subjects. I am curious like Nelo, though – did you wait at that spot for something to happen, or did you use your usual magic, and happen to be there with your finger on the shutter button ? Ud. es un mago con la camara, senor!
Second, thanks for reminding me about God and the Laptop – that’s actually one of my favorite photos. It never fails to make me smile.
Third, I think what I like best about this photo is that it shows two very different lifestyles existing in La Antigua. One of my favorite things about the city is that it is alive, people of all different backgrounds/classes/lifestyles live and work there. Although there are many things for tourists, the city is not just an empty shell. For me, your photo prompts discussion without making any kind of judgement. This is the way it is, and it’s all a part of beautiful La Antigua.
That being said, I frequently step off the sidewalk to make way for some of the devoted ladies of faith, but I’ve never done anything to assist a Hummer. Can’t help it … soy siempre el caballero… Ja-ja-ja !
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1. Rudy Girón says:
  August 5, 2009 at 9:20 am
  @Eric, I know you’re such a caballero, always! I did not wait long, I saw the massive vehicle and I took a few shots to see what I like, then waited for some people to walk by as to create a contrasting scale we can relate to and one of the people that strolled by was the nun. Simple. 😉
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emromesco says:
August 5, 2009 at 7:30 am
@leif: Don’t let the “third world country” label fool you… there is a LOT of money in Guatemala, some from hard work, some is easy money, some is old money, some is new money. BTW @Rudy, where is the “currency” series… you should get your hands in one of those “Marimba Heroes” 200Q bills to kick it off.
Maybe the Hummer is from an evangelical pastor, just a gift from his herd, and then the picture would be full circle.
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1. Rudy Girón says:
  August 5, 2009 at 9:25 am
  @emromesco, man, you always read my mind like an open book. Certainly it is not of the question that Harold Caballeros or Cash Luna, just to name two evangelical pastors, could be inside this massive Hummer limousine. 🙁 The money series has to wait until I get my hands on the historic antique paper notes.
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emromesco says:
August 5, 2009 at 9:36 am
I just noted that the comments now are backwards (latest comments first) and that the “replies” are after each comment. I like the second, I am not sure about the first… I know I should use the forum for this discussion, oh well 😛
Saludos desde T-dot
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Erick says:
August 5, 2009 at 11:05 am
Although I really like this picture, I don’t know why I feel that there’s something mysterious/sort-of-creepy about it. It’s probably because of the nun’s dark image walking away from the shot.
I concur with the others posters, there is a lot of money in Antigua; some very wealthy people have pretty big mansions there.
Can that limo even make turns in most of the Antigua roads? Some of them are awfully narrow and crowded with cars. I would just get out and walk.
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Laura says:
August 5, 2009 at 3:21 pm
@Nelo: Yeah I really enjoyed our conversation too! I can certainly live without many modern comforts, especially if it means trading a bit of exuberant opulence for an opportunity to chase a passion. BUT, I’m not going to lie, if I can have both… I will. 😉 Hehehe. No, actually I like to swing back and forth. Today: hiking through a mosquito-ridden jungle with monkey dung raining down on the way to discover El Mirador. Tomorrow: a nice day of relaxing cleansing at the Spa. 😉
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Stephanie says:
August 6, 2009 at 5:21 pm
The contrast that stood out most to me was between the old (a sepia toned photograph which for me evokes a sense of something old, thinking of old sepia photos from the early days of photography) and the new (the limo). Also, the contrast between something slow (old time photography taking and developing) and something fast (the limo). Hmmm…I could probably think of even more contrasts! I love sepia photos but I’m still not sure what I think about digitally-done sepia. I guess I’m nostalgic — there’s a part of me that thinks sepia should only be done the old fashioned way, or at least with 35mm film. Alas, progress is progress.
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