Month: September 2010

A flood of tears over the colonial town

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Llanto sobre la ciudad colonial by Rudy Girón

Llanto sobre la ciudad colonial.

About four weeks ago I declared that this is The Rainiest Year Ever out of frustration with the seemingly non-stop rains. Later that week I learnt I was not mistaken and this has been the year with most rainfall in decades since 1959, which accumulated like over 1,700 mm/67 inches of rain. My good friend Norman Ávila from ClimaYa will provide us with the actual figures later today. When I made my frustration public, we were close to surpassing the 1,700 mm of rain. Certainly, after four additional weeks of intense rains, we can now declared this as The Rainiest Year Ever.

It seems only appropriate I share with you two songs from the El Hacedor De Lluvia (The Rain Maker) from Ranferí Aguilar, an excellent Guatemalan musician. Below the two songs, I am also sharing with you two video clips I recorded back in 2006 for a live performance of Ranferí Aguilar at the Jamtigua music festival. I hope you enjoy them and let me know your thoughts.

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Anti-Rabies Vaccination Campaign

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There’s a free anti-rabies vaccination campaign every year during September around La Antigua Guatemala. Cats and dogs are vaccinated for rabies and other viruses throughout the month of September in unity with World Rabies Day. Rabies vaccines are supplied free from local Centro de Salud (health centers). Below, you can see Negra, our colonia dog … Read more

Remittances from Los Angeles

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“Walijoq caewaj!” she yelled over and over in Quiche. Wake up, my love. Wake up, my love. This is the story of Manuel Jaminez Xum, a Mayan day laborer, and his unfortunate encounter with Los Angeles Police officers. This is story that I am glad Los Angeles Times has decided to follow through with in-depth … Read more

Antigua’s Photo Club Coffee Exhibition

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Saturday, September 25, 2010 was the successful inauguration of the photo exhibition “Con sabor y aroma a café” by the members of the Club Fotográfico de Antigua. This is the second photo exhibit by Antigua’s Photo Club in less than a year. The first exhibition was held las November 2009 at Las Capuchinas ruins. In … Read more

Antigua’s Tuk Tuk Taxis Revolt

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Today I was driving around Antigua Guatemala’s Central Park and I was not allowed to continue towards the Palacio del Ayuntamiento (Municipal building) because the Tuk Tuk taxis had taken the entire street to park their units. As soon as I found parking, I grabbed my camera and decided to take some repetition shots (you … Read more

Let Me Out!

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I would also want out with such a gorgeous day. This beautiful dog was so peaceful and enjoying the breeze that it appeared like he didn’t mind being in such a tight spot. Although, I am sure that he was offer a walk, he would wiggle his tail, don’t you think?

Héctor’s Restaurant Third Anniversary

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I can’t believe Héctor’s restaurant will be celebrating its third anniversary already on Tuesday, September 21. That’s quite an amazing feat for a restaurant with no name, no sign, and no advertising, except, of course, for word of mouth advertising. I congratulate Héctor for such achievement and hope to be there for a feast. These … Read more

Tanque de La Unión Revisited

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While Arturo was playing with his camera mounted on a tripod to take his signature sunsets, I decided to look in the opposite direction and capture the fleeting light bathing the Tanque de La Unión. Even though it doesn’t seem like it was twilight, I can assure you it was, thus there wasn’t enough light … Read more

Fuego showing off…

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Fuego, erupting_05_800

While some people prefer to make an extra buck, or a lot more extra bucks, here in La Antigua Guatemala some of us try to just live with what nature presents us. So, here is an experiment on a brief time lapse when the Volcán de Fuego erupted on September 14 while I was capturing the gorgeous sunset.

How can some people forget to live life?

text, photo and video by Arturo Godoy. Check out Arturo’s portfolio to purchase photos from his massive photographic bank.

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Guatemalan Cuisine: Frijoles blancos

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Frijoles Blancos, white beans, are another classic staple of the gastronomy of Guatemala. Frijoles blancos are often prepared with espinazo (spine) costilla (ribs), carne cerdo (pork chops), chicharrones (pork rinds), tocino (bacon) and longanizas (Guatemalan white sausages), just to name a few meats. Frijoles blancos can be found in a red or white presentation, depending … Read more