I am so lucky to have among my friends and acquaintances movers and shakers of the Guatemalan society. One such person is Omar Soto, photographer and member of the Antigua’s Photo Club, who captured arresting images of the damages caused by tropical storm Agatha in San Miguel Escobar and Ciudad Vieja, two communities near La Antigua Guatemala, while helping the people of those communities. Afterwards, Omar Soto turned a selection of those photographs into “Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha” (Help and Hope after Agatha’s Aftermath), a benefit and chronicle photo exhibit on display now at Convento Las Capuchinas ruins.
At the inauguration of Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha Omar Soto requested food and cash donation to help the people of San Miguel Escobar and Ciudad Vieja who are still in need.
I am very grateful to know people like Omar Soto, who set an example and inspiration of the things one can do to help others in need.
Below a few shots of the inauguration and a video clip captured by Kara Andrade. I hope that if you are in La Antigua Guatemala right now or in the following weeks, you make the time to visit the Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha.
This is how Guatemala’s Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología, INSIVUMEH for short, measures the hours of sun light for the day. In Guatemala we are lucky to have many days with lots of sun light through out the year. If the sun-powered technology wasn’t so expensive we take advantage of the enormous … Read more
A simple image with lots of green and a touch of red, similar to our beautiful Quetzal; Guatemala’s ultimate symbol for freedom. A simple image inspired on Miguel Ángel Asturias‘ poem Tecún Úman. Below, the first five paragraphs of the exquisite poem. Tecún-Umán, el de las torres verdes, el de las altas torres verdes, verdes, … Read more
One important goal for me is to show you what’s possible and what’s available in La Antigua Guatemala. Believe it or not, some people believe we still live on tree canopies. Often in Twitter or Facebook, Guatemalans make a point of “no vivimos en árboles” or “por eso piensan que vivimos en árboles” (That’s why … Read more
Here’s what a typical Sunday morning Guatemalan breakfast may look like. I say Sunday morning breakfast because normally one can only find tamales on Saturday night or Sunday morning. Guatemalan tamales are normally served along with pan francés (French rolls [how to say pan francés in English?]) and a cup of hot coffee or chocolate. … Read more
I love black and white photography! Even though my photographic signature is actually rich, vibrant saturated colors, I really love what can be done with black and white photography. Less color is actually more when it comes to black and white photography. How else I can show you the tough condition of homelessness in a … Read more
A few months ago, I posted as part of the Theme Day some Maximón effigies made from wood, now holly wood really since Maximón is worshiped by the Maya people of Guatemala. The appearance of the person in today’s photo is so close to being a live representation of the Maximón effigy that I could not think of a better name for the images, even while taking the photographs. Below, there is additional information regarding Maximón so you can understand humor behind the today’s title.
Maximon is Cakchiquel [Kakchiquel] for Don Simon. He is somewhat associated with Judas, and therefore a connection to the devil. Offerings are made to him for less than honest favors such as revenge, wealth, and love interests. When I was a Peace Corps Volunteer from 1978-81, I saw his effigy in Zunil on several occasions, but if you want to see the total San Simon cult you must go to San Andrés Itzapa in the department of Chimaltenango. They have a temple there full of old memorabilia, offerings, etc. It’s a real industry with shops set up to sell statues, offerings,etc. It’s worth the bus ride to see this, and it’s not just the Indigenous People that perpetuate the cult.
Below, an introduction to Maximón from Wikipedia.
The origins of his cult are not very well understood by outsiders to the different Mayan religions, but Maximón is believed to be a form of the pre-Columbian Maya god Mam, blended with influences from Catholicism. Maximón may also be called San Simón. Originally, he was believed to be a Catholic priest who had looked after aboriginals during early 1600s.
Where Maximón is venerated, he is represented by an effigy which resides in a different house each year, being moved in a procession during Holy Week. During the rest of the year, devotees visit Maximón in his chosen residence, where his shrine is usually attended by two people from the representing Cofradia who keep the shrine in order and pass offerings from visitors to the effigy. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes to gain his favour in exchange for good health, good crops, and marriage counseling, amongst other favours. The effigy invariably has a lit cigarette or cigar in its mouth, and in some places, it will have a hole in its mouth to allow the attendants to give it spirits to drink.
Maximón is generally dressed in European 18th century style, although with many local variations. In Santiago Atitlán he is adorned with many colourful garlands, while in Zunil (where he is known as San Simón) he has a much more intimidating style, with his face obscured by dark sunglasses and a bandanna.
The worship of Maximón treats him not so much as a benevolent deity but rather as a bully whom one does not want to anger. He is also known to be a link between Xibalbá The Underworld and Bitol heart of heaven (Corazón del Cielo). His expensive tastes in alcohol and cigarettes indicate that he is a very human character, very different from the ascetic ideals of Christian sainthood. Devotees believe that prayers for revenge, or success at the expense of others, are likely to be granted by Maximón. (source: Wikipedia)
Here’s once again my dear friend Nelo being such an accomodating model for my take on Antigua Guatemala’s version of El Mariachi (Desperado). I hope you like it. Let me know your thoughts either way!
If I had a penny for each time a Moza beer has been shown in the over 1,555 pages of AntiguaDailyPhoto? Moza has a way of showing up always in the background along some succulent dish like Jocón or Ceviche. If your only contact with Guatemala was AntiguaDailyPhoto, you would certainly arrive at the conclusion … Read more
The best Guatemalan ceviche has to be ceviche of concha and camarón. Concha is sort of a shell clam known in Mexico as “Almeja pata de mula” which is sort of a mixture between clam and oyster plus dark ink (blood). Camarones are, of course, shrimps. Mix conchas and camarones with diced plum tomatoes, chopped … Read more
A few weeks ago I introduced you to the recycling truck of La Antigua Guatemala and hi-lighted the fact that it runs on biodiesel which is obtained by processing the restaurants’ burnt oil and other liquid fats and how it is used for the recycling program as well. Here’s, once again, my friend Kara Andrade … Read more
Slowly but surely recycling is becoming a reality in Antigua Guatemala. Can anybody explain me what is the Guatemalan fascination with toneles (barrels)?
Here’s an interesting idea, cover the patio with transparent laminas plus a pergola framework where one can hang the Colas de Quetzal (nephorlepsis spp.), helechos (ferns) and put other plants in pots around the fountain and one can enjoy of the patio year round, including during the rainy season. 🙂 How you like that?
Palo de Izote is the Mesoamerican cousin of the Joshua or Yucca tree. I have a fascination with the Izote tree; I don’t know why, maybe its many branches that look like arms and hands. Anyhow, I like it and it’s used often in the hedgerows around Antigua Guatemala. Its white flowers are edible and … Read more
