See everything is a matter of perspectives and that’s the whole truthiness and nothing but the truthiness (thanks Manolo for the new word). Let me explain. The value of commodities like gold, diamonds and jade is mostly influenced by the conceptualization that the materials are rare and scarce. The Europeans conquistadors that came to Mesoamerica … Read more
Almost one year ago, I found a quiet and tranquil place to ponder the tough questions: What is art and what is handicraft? Am I the oppressor, the oppressed or both? Why is Cubism not folk-art? Does a painting become a handicraft if it is exhibited in restaurant and does a handicraft become art if … Read more
Boy, didn’t I tell you that the best time of the year to visit Antigua Guatemala, top city travel destination, is during the Lent period. Not only you get the opportunity to see all the processions prior to the world-famous Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala, you also get a chance to see all the Lent … Read more
These colorful Guatemalan eggshells filled with confetti are known as cascarones and are the sure sign that marks the arrival of carvinal and then Ash Wednesday (Miércoles de ceniza), which is the first day of Lent (Cuaresma) which in 2009 will be celebrated on February 25th. That’s right folks, on Wednesday 25th we will begin … Read more
Unlike other Spanish-speaking countries, Guatemala does not make a big deal of the arrival of the Tres Reyes Magos (Three Wise Kings) known as Epiphany in English; a Christian holiday celebrated on January 6th. Except, of course, for burning firecrackers and ringing bells of the churches right at noon, which seems to be Guatemalans’ favorite … Read more
So after the Burning of the Devil is over and the set up of the Nacimientos has already began, we can assume the Christmas season will be in full steam and that means the Guatemalan fairs will mushroom onto the main squares of every town and city. In the picture above, we cought a glimpse … Read more
I am playing with the rojos, as always, so you play the cremas. 😉 If there are more people willing to play, we can form teams… don’t worry I will pay for all the games, no matter how many matches we all play. I am feeling a little kindhearted lately. If you want to play, … Read more
The official date for the commencement of the Christmas season in Guatemala is December 8th, although many malls and commercial centers, imitating the businesses from up north, begin decorating for Christmas right after Independence Day, celebrated in Guatemala on September 15th. With the Feast for the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th, people … Read more
Okay, let me break the bad news to you guys. The Burning of the Devil tradition in Guatemala is disappearing. Even though, I read a couple articles about La quema del diablo (Burning of the Devil) in the national newspapers, when I finally decided to go out to the streets to photograph the celebration, I … Read more
After MO confirmed the spelling for Misperos which Nadia had used in reference to this yellow fruit known in the English language as naseberry or sapodilla, I became curious and next time I went to the market I asked a few people selling it. Many of the m/nispero vendors used the word mispero, but they … Read more
Those of you, who have followed the daily updates of La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo for a while, would know already how much I like to name certain entries with titles of films. If you look in the past 930 days, you would find the titles of some of my favorite films. Can you name … Read more
Here’s another quote taken from the article written by Ignacio Ochoa and published in Revue Magazine about the history of kite making in Santiago Sacatepéquez under the name of Messenges in the Wind. At 4 a.m. on November 2, everyone moves toward the cemetery with candles so the spirits can return to their celestial home. … Read more
Ignacio Ochoa has published a recent article about the history of kite making in Santiago Sacatepéquez under the name of Messenges in the Wind. Below the first paragraph of this wonderful article: On November 1 and 2, a powerful force stirs in all the towns of Guatemala. Traditional markets are filled with flowers of sempa … Read more
As read on Prensa Libre recently: According to the legend, each November 1st the God-world releases the souls of the dead from the underworld and for 24 hours the spirits are free to visit their live families, whom must provide a warm welcome, otherwise the spirits can cause harm to the crops and harvests. It … Read more
I became contagious with the regular twitter updates about gasoline prices going down in Guatemala, so the very next time I went to the gas station, I took my own shot of the “low” gasoline prices. The prices for fuel in gas stations, as you can see on the board, are around Q28 for regular, … Read more