As I mentioned last weekend, the village of Santa Catalina Bobadilla had an early start with its vigil on Saturday, instead of the traditional Ash Wednesday. Well, as it is the tradition in Antigua Guatemala on each week of Lent, a vigil on Wednesday and a procession on Sunday. Here’s the quick look at the … Read more
Recently I was asked to help with a photo session of two beautiful Maya women on the streets of Antigua Guatemala. Here’s a candid photograph taken while they were reviewing and laughing so hard at some of the images made during the photo session. As I have said before, Guatemalans are always ready to share … Read more
Volcán Fuego has been unbelievably active in recent months. Last energetic eruption period was on Ash Wednesday with almost 24 hours of uninterrupted eruptions cause earth vibrations and sonic booms within 30 kilometres. Literally, we had an Ash Wednesday in Antigua Guatemala and other surrounding communities because the winds were blowing our way. My new … Read more
Sometimes we wonder how we can change the world for the better. Often, that’s all we do, well, at least I do, when we realise how big the problems are in the world. Some people, just do it, even with simple things like recycling two bottles to feed the street dogs. “Simple, just do something, … Read more
Here’s you Spanish word of the day: Cuaresma or Lent. Once again, from the early morning reports started to pour in, around 6 a.m., there were sightings of hundreds, no, make it thousands of people with dark markings in their foreheads. The first sightings were reported near the church of San Francisco El Grande, right … Read more
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Cascarón for eggshell. What do we do with cascarones? Well, young people (i.e. children and/or children at heart) smash them on the heads of unsuspected victims. Since there is usually a costume party involved with Carnival you don’t know who your victimizer is. The confetti gets inside … Read more
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Tulipanes for tulips. That’s right, we can also grow tulips in Antigua Guatemala, a very short season though. Tulipanes are only available during January and part of February. Ten tulips sell for Q75/$10, is that expensive or affordable where you live?
Well, what do you know, the village of Santa Catalina Bobadilla, Antigua Guatemala, decided to have an early start of Lent by holding their velación, vigil, on Saturday, February 6, five days before the commencement of Lent on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Here are a couple images to show you the ambience. Stay tuned for coverage … Read more
Well well, well if you think baristas are all men, then you got it wrong. As you can see here, the baristas at Bella Vista Coffee Shop in Antigua Guatemala are all women. So, if you are looking for an excellent cup of coffee from a local plantation, you can stop by and Hilda, Karina … Read more
Those coffee refugees looking for shelter from bad coffee, look no more, Antigua Guatemala is the coffee lovers refuge with its many barista-run cafes. One such shelter is The Refuge Coffee House, which is run by passionate baristas. As mentioned at the beginning of the Antigua Coffee Week, other excellent cafes are Expressarte, Castell, La … Read more
If you prefer prepared fancy coffees, such as mochaccinos, Irish coffee, Lattés, et cetera, we have that too in many cafes in Antigua Guatemala. Here’s the an Irish coffee with a shot of whiskey as prepared by the baristas of Fat Cat coffee house. This is great choice is if you are looking for a … Read more
Of course, sometimes one craves dessert to go along with coffee, right? How about a slice of mango pie with coffee from Ganache, a wonderfully decorated coffee house in Antigua Guatemala. Ganache is your ticket if you’re looking for great coffee, dessert and ambience from the same coffee house. They don’t have too many coffee … Read more
The first time we “officially” drunk coffee in Guatemala was in 1743 for the celebration of the conversion of the Catedral de Santiago, from a church into a cathedral. It made the news the fact that they were serving coffee as well as the traditional chocolate and atoles beverages. This coffee came from the Santo … Read more
We are so fortunate in Antigua Guatemala to have so many dedicated and passionate baristas who are committed to serve the best coffee cup possible in town. From Fernando’s Kaffee, an authentic Guatemalan coffee shop run by Fernando to Christian “Frosty” from the on-and-off Tretto Caffé or Jeremy and Tito from Fat Cat Coffee House; … Read more