Month: October 2010

Guatemalan Kites As Decoration

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Through October and November you can find many businesses using Guatemalan kites as decoration. Last year I showed you some colorful giant kites hanging from the ceiling at a local restaurant. This time I took a shot of the kites hanging above the entrance of another popular restaurant in La Antigua Guatemala. Kites are very … Read more

El Carmen Ruins

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I think this piece of architecture is absolutely gorgeous. Especially with those sellers and colorful textile products from Mercado De Artesanos El Carmen in front of it, it looks more lively. Next time i visit La Antigua Guatemala, I will try to get some more background information about this building. text and photo by Pinar … Read more

Is It The Decisive Moment

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When I shot this photo in front of Antigua Guatemala’s Municipality building, I remembered Henri Cartier-Bresson’s Behind Gare St. Lazare photo and it made me think of his Decisive Moment concept. I guess we photographers unconsciously imitate the masters; well, at least try it… text and photo by Pinar Istek

Mass Service at Antigua’s Cathedral

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During one of the afternoon mass services I happened to be at the Cathedral. The visual fortune that Catholic church offers to its visitors is incredible. I am always impressed by it. However, as a Muslim person, I have to admit the fact that there are many things that I don’t really understand about Christianity; … Read more

Ice Cream Memories

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Ice cream vendors like the guy in the picture above are not only typical stamp of La Antigua Guatemala. As matter of fact, they are pretty much everywhere I visited in Guatemala; including here in Xela, where I now live; also in Huehuetenango, in Lake Atitlán, in Guatemala City, everywhere… really. On this one particular … Read more

Guatemala’s Graduation Season

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I don’t recall if I have told you that Guatemala’s school year begins in January and end in October; have I mentioned it? Anyway, since the school year ends in October, this month you can see a lot of graduations and all the paraphernalia associated with graduations. Another interesting fact about Guatemala’s educational system is … Read more

Guatemalan Cuisine: Pescado frito

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Fried fish is another popular dish in Guatemala. The fried fish presentation above can be found just about anywhere in Guatemala. Normally the fish is fried as one piece previously cleaned. The fish in the picture above is red snapper weighing over a pound. The entire meal was about $10. The kind of fish most … Read more

Guatemalan Cuisine: Parrillada Chapina

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Here’s another version of the classic Guatemalan parrillada which is basically a charcoal-grilled meat sampler. This version includes chicken, sirloin steak, sausage, pork chop [not in the picture], rice, beans, corn on the cob, chirmol (Guatemalan tomato sauce), and guacamol (avocado sauce). Guatemalans often order a parrillada as lunch or dinner during the weekends getaways … Read more

Rustic Door Handle

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Simple and functional works for me. Today’s image you can find almost everywhere in La Antigua Guatemala. The elements: metal, wood, rust, peeling paint, can be found in windows, furniture, and doorways.

Dí­a de la Revolución Holiday

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On October 20, Guatemala celebrates its Dí­a de la Revolución (Revolution’s Day) and everybody gets the day off as it is a national holiday. Well, almost everybody, I am going to be working. 🙁 Guatemala always manages to be at the cross roads of historic events. Let me share with you two such instances. First, … Read more

Guatemalan Cuisine: Patitas a la vinagreta

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I have to admit not all Guatemalan dishes have good aspect. Two such dishes come to mind right away: Mole and Patitas a la vinagreta (Pickled muscles and lower legs). Then again, the actual McDonald’s hamburger does not have good aspect either [see photos of food for a dollar]. However, Guatemalan meals with poor aspect … Read more