The photo above shows what a typical entrance to a coffee plantation looks like. Finca Las Ilusiones is just south of El Calvario church, on the Walter Williams road. Finca is the Guatemalan Spanish word for plantation or farm. The small door is for the workers, the large door for the coffee plantation owner; there … Read more
I don’t know why I have a fascination with the Izote tree, a member of the yucca tree family, also known as the Yoshua tree. Maybe its many arms and hands. Anyhow, I like it and its used often in the hedgerows around Antigua Guatemala. Its white flowers are edible and they are considered a delicacy. The izote tree flower is also the national flower for the neighboring country of El Salvador. You can see the white flowers right above the center of the photograph; you may need to see the larger version to actually see it. So far I have posted several photos of the palo de izote tree, but this one is my favorite.
Normally I have only shown the façade of many houses and building in La Antigua Guatemala for an obvious reason: I do not have access to the inside. Well, some of you may ask, what is on the other side of the wall? For sure there is no easy answer, but there are some common … Read more
This photo is needed to clarify a confusion about the coffee trees and their height. Nathalie from Sydney DP asked if coffee trees grow very tall in La Antigua Guatemala, while referring to this photograph which showed coffee trees and their shadow makers the gravilea trees around Antigua, San Pedro Las Huertas to be precise. I posted a Close-up photo of coffee plantation before to show the coffee bushes (tree could be considered an exaggeration) and the shadow trees known here a gravileas. So, to answer Nathalie’s questions, coffee trees (ed. bushes) do not grow very high; they can be harvest by Guatemalan farm workers on foot.
Cayucos are small indigenous hand-made vessels, sort like kayaks, that can be found around Lake Atitlán, about two hours from La Antigua Guatemala (see satellite maps). So, since there is no actual lake in Antigua Guatemala, you have to find new uses for those old and aged cayucos; flower and plant pots is one of … Read more
Believe it or not, the dry green river bed is El Pensativo River. The other day while driving on Calle Chipilapa, which takes you to La Ermita de la Santa Cruz Ruins, I saw this huge bougainvillea tree on the other side of El Pensativo River, dry now but soon it will have running water. I never seen a bougainvillea tree so big; my girlfriend and I saw a midget bougainvillea tree—about 1 meter in height— in Tapachula, Mexico.
Flowers for the innocent who died yesterday in the Virginia Tech college and everywhere in the world.
Even fast-food restaurants have a nice atmosphere in Antigua Guatemala. Here you can see the fountain inside the Burger King restaurant. Fountains and gardens are among the most popular element of the Antigüeño architecture and I never get tire of photographing them and I am not the only one who likes fountains. As always, you … Read more
Here’s the snapshot of a palm flower arrangements stand taken in the La Antigua Guatemala’s market on Saturday prior to Palm Sunday which marks the beginning of the Holy Week the in Catholic realm. Best wishes for the coming week and have a safe vacation for those fortunate to have one. Tags: Antigua Guatemala Daily … Read more
The restaurant and bakery housed under the name of Doña Luisa Xicotencatl, on 4a calle oriente #12 in La Antigua Guatemala, has become a landmark of the town. Many people meet here for breakfast on the weekends or lunch during the week. I believe one the reason this business has become a landmark is the … Read more
A little over a week ago, Mary Johnston asked if I could publish a photo of Jacarandas. Well, I found some trees in Parque Central, out of all places, and in the process I manage to snap a shot of Central Park which I believe to be quite original. At least I haven’t seen this … Read more
Fact #1: Right now is winter in Guatemala as it is located in the Northern Hemisphere. You might not be believe this by looking at the photo above. Fact #2: Guatemala is a tropical country with a temperate weather. The reason for the pleasant temperatures is the high altitude where most of the towns are … Read more
I don’t know what exactly haunts me about this image. Maybe the moon in the background, the green branches barely lit or the forged-metal railing. What do you think of it?
Back on December 16th and 17th, 2006, I showed you what Parque Central (Central Park) looked like with the Christmas lights all over the trees at night. I managed to take another shot right when the lights come on, yet there’s still daylight available. I like the effect. This shot was taken from the second … Read more
No, I am not talking about the infamous and long overdue operating system from Redmond, Washington; I am simply showing a vista of a typical window corner in La Antigua Guatemala. In this case, this vista belongs to a window corner at Posada de los Leones (Lions’ Inn). I will bring more photos of the … Read more