Real Guatemala: Football Days Around Antigua Guatemala

Today we begin a new mini series: The Real Guatemala.

Claudia she was bringing back some long lost memories from her dear Guatemala, in her own words, “No helmets, no amber alerts, no Wiis, just a plastic ball or if lucky a real soccer ball, I feel one component that I loved of living down there was that you knew everyone and everyone knew you, or of you, do you know what I mean? You spoke to your neighbors, you knew their names, where they worked, etc. Heck, you could even have refaccion together, at night you could hang… have some decent conversation about everything and nothing…”

Although things have changed a bit from the old and romantic Guatemala that Claudia is nostalgic about, much have not changed.

MO continues, “I miss the good old days and the sense of community. I miss playing futbol in the streets after school. I miss playing tenta, el botecito, escondite, kick-ball, cincos, trompos and all the good old games kids play (I hope still do). It was such a beautiful thing sitting on the banqueta at night under the star filled sky with all the kids from the block telling jokes or stories about El Duende, La Ciguanaba, El Cadejo, La Llorona and other great Guatemala folk tales. I miss those days. ***SUSPIRO***”

Do you think this image captures the nostalgic sentiments of Claudia and MO?

El Canche says:

April 11, 2013 at 12:46 am

Ah yes….nostalgia isn’t what it used to be!

Willy says:

April 11, 2013 at 7:39 am

To quote the American writer Jack London, “Darn the wheel of the world! Why must it continually turn over? Where is the reverse gear?”

NYChapin says:

April 11, 2013 at 12:11 pm

There is a famous quote by Gandhi ” Be the change you want in the world.” That was not as easy for me to do as saying it. During my trip to Guate last week, It took me a few days to get comfortable saying good morning to people on the street. Growing up in Guate it was a must, specially in a small town like San Lucas Toliman, Solola. Now as an adult and visitor, it first seemed a bit awkward. But I decided to do it and the result was feeling more at home than ever. By the time I got to Antigua, I was able to identified the different greetings: For example, In San Lucas, the ” dias” in ” buenos dias” is streched and almost sung ( if that makes any sense) In Antigua, the greeting changed to a polite ” Buen Dia”. My plan to join a “chamusca” did not materialize, but I did get to swim in Lake Atitlan like a 5 year old !