Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Banqueta or acera for sidewalk. Not only are sidewalks in Antigua Guatemala really narrow, 3 to 4 feet wide in most cases and even less in some instances, but sometimes they are invaded by all kinds of obstacles, such as windows, benches as shown in the entry … Read more
La Antigua Guatemala is the ultimate destination for textures and beautiful wall patterns, don’t you agree? Stay tuned, during March I will bring you a new series based on the textures and patterns of Antigua Guatemala.
Which color tortillas do you like best? In Guatemala the most popular colours for tortillas are yellow, black and white. If you want to learn how tortillas are made in Guatemala, watch this video made in Ciudad Vieja, Sacatepéquez. ¡Buen provecho!
Years ago the Pilas de Santa Clara used to be a very busy place with Maya women doing laundry. Most women came from the town of Santa María de Jesús because the water distribution there was inadequate. Nowadays, only a few people use the the washbasins to do laundry, most people come here to take … Read more
As you walk around with camera in hand and encounter doves being fed with children near-by, get ready, compose a possible picture and place your finger on the shutter release, it’s only a matter of time before you capture a photograph as this one. Visualise the pictures before they materialise in front of your viewfinder; … Read more
Jocón is Guatemala’s most famous green stew. We could also call it green mole if we use the wide definition of the Nahual word mole, which is either a kind of curry or stew sauce. I know I have been scolded before for pairing the word curry with all the pre-Columbian Maya sauces and stews, … Read more
Market days are awesome days to be in the mercado municipal of Antigua Guatemala. Everything is fresh and there’s so many more options and vendors than a normal day. Market days in Antigua Guatemala are Monday, Thursday and Saturday, this last being the best day to visit the mercado. Here’s a portrait of the abuelita … Read more
You can find all kinds of merchandise for sale on the streets of Antigua Guatemala and the rest of the country for the matter. Ambulant vendors hit the streets everyday, carrying their wares to every corner and sometimes from house to house. Even sunglasses and reading glasses are quite common on the streets as shown … Read more
Copal incense and corozo palms provide the main aromas of Lent and Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala. Corozo palms are sold in the Antigua Guatemala municipal mercado during and around Lent season. As I have said before, Lent and Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala carry their own set of scents, flavors and colors. I … Read more
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Kiosko or Quiosco for kiosk. During Lent and Holy Week, you can find information kiosks peppered all over Antigua Guatemala. If you can’t find one near you, head over the parque central where there are four information booths on each corner of the main square. The people … Read more
How about some broom-head Roman soldiers as a typical sample of the kitsch found during Lent and Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala. Well, the vigils can also be a very good places to check out the full spectrum of Guatemalan kitsch, don’t you agree?
Two women worlds apart! Each girl represent a different way of being human, with all the implications that may carry. What are your thoughts for captioning this image of quotidian life in Antigua Guatemala?
Lent and Holy Week are traditions for everyone, including children, where boys and girls have processional floats that they can carry. I guess you’re never to young to participate in the longest penitence period of the year in Guatemala.
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Cucurucho or cone-head. Cucuruchos are the men who carry the heavy processional floats. What a penitence to have to carry the heavy floats for several turns [blocks], plus the photographic and drone equipment to document the processions with images and moving pictures. Last Sunday I was at … Read more
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Alfombra procesional for processional carpet. One of the aspects I really enjoy of the Lent season in Antigua Guatemala is the processional carpets with their aromas, colours, textures and creative designs. I enjoy seeing entires families and blocks of neighbours participating in the creating of the alfombras … Read more