In the previous century it was common knowledge that one could identify the provenance of the Maya people in Guatemala, especially women, by their corte and güipil (skirt and blouse). Pan-Mayanism is changing this at such fast rate that in just a few years the Maya will mix and match textiles from all over the … Read more
As a graphic designer I can never ceased to be amazed by the intricate brightly colored textiles worn by the Maya people of Guatemala. I hope to always remain astonished. 😉
A few years back LD ranted about all the people she came across wearing earbuds while riding the public transit buses in Toronto after having spent a few years in Guatemala where the practice was rare, if not, nonexistent in the chicken bus rides. I remember her rant because at the time I hadn’t noticed … Read more
It’s incredible how long it takes me to show you the most common vistas from La Antigua Guatemala. See, one of the most common images one sees while walking around the Parque Central is people having textile braids put on their head and I just realized that in four years of daily photos I have … Read more
To all the visiting mothers, please, let me share with you the Guatemalan classic marimba Un vals para mi madre (A waltz for my mother) and wish you a very happy Guatemalan Mother’s Day! Today’s photo brings forth cherished memories of my mom and I eating POPS ice cream when I was a kid. Although, … Read more
As I mentioned yesterday, more often Antigua Guatemala is becoming a gathering venue. Any excuse is good enough to form a crowd with similar interests. Some people I know organize a geek squad lunch meeting spontaneously with a few tweets and sms texts. Others use a school bus stop to update each other about their … Read more
Most Guatemalan families are very tight with several generations often interacting with one another. It is not unusual to have at least three generations living under the same roof. That’s what I call family ties. 😉 Have you had to opportunity to notice this or to live with a Guatemalan family?
Slowly, but surely the love, devotion and passion for the world famous Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala are being passed on to the new generations. I am glad to know that there will be Semana Santa in La Antigua Guatemala for another 500 years. I believe that Semana Santa is so much more than a … Read more
I can bring to you the colors, the imagery, the sounds and even video clips, but I can’t transmit or transfer you the smells and aromas of the Holy Week. The pungent scents of corozo palms and copal insence you will have to imagine them. Let’s hope that today’s photo can trigger or precipitate forth … Read more
On the weekends Calle del Arco is turn into a pedestrian strip and several business bring out benches, carts and flowers and plants in huge pots. Lots of people take advantage of these sitting spaces to have their photo taken or simply to take a break. The picture above is another vista that ” …helps … Read more
Often we hear that Guatemala is a country of contrasts. Even I try to show it often and what better way to show the contrasts of Guatemalan women than yesterday’s photograph of capitalinas sporting the latest garments in fashion and today’s picture of three indigenous women wearing the traditional corte or Guatemalan hand-woven skirt. I … Read more
The people from Guatemala City are known as capitalinos; residents of the Capital city. Women from Guatemala City would be capitalinas. La Antigua Guatemala is a popular weekend destination for capitalinos (as) since it’s only an hour separates the Old Guatemala City from the New Guatemala City. So, it is on the weekends that we … Read more
Last Monday 8 of March was celebrated the International Women’s Day through out the world. I believe women should be celebrated everyday, so this week I will be sharing with you photographs of Guatemalan women, each different, but all of them special. We begin the week with the beautiful smile of an usher who welcomes … Read more
Modernity has arrived to the quincentennial Antigua Guatemala. AGAIN. It was nearly 18 months ago that I reported the arrival of the third generation cellular networks, known as 3G for short, to Antigua Guatemala. Back then, I showed you a black and white photo with a colorful iPhone held by Nelo against the San Francisco … Read more
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and nowhere is awareness, new legislation and law enforcing need it more than in Guatemala. No más is campaign by Amnesty International to stop the killings of women in Guatemala(1). Director Giselle Portenier came to Guatemala to document the story of the brutal … Read more