Everyone is wearing a mask in Antigua Guatemala; municipal employees are no exception. I believe the face mask usage compliance is nearly 100%. Cobblestoned streets trivia: the annual budget for maintenance of the cobbled streets is around +Q7 million or about US$1 million for a town that is merely 0.6 of mile. It’s expensive to … Read more
As I mentioned before, Guatemalans are resilient. People are doing everything to survive and put food on the table. And that’s how a popular restaurant spawned an online convenience store, or tiendita as we say in Guatemala. Of course, if La Tiendita Antigüeña can offer freshly harvested produce, that’s even better; don’t you agree?
Guatemala is world-famous for their colorful and intricate, hand-woven textiles, so it comes as no surprise that masks were with these Mayan textiles almost as soon as face coverings were mandatory. See the face mask worn by the girl in the back. Honestly, I can’t believe I haven’t shared these gorgeous and unique face masks … Read more
Pandemic or not, life moves on and things that are necessary at home must still be procured, such food, medicine and water in the case of these girls. They walk fast with jars on their heads to carry as much water home before the curfew. Perhaps they can do one or two more short trips … Read more
Queues are part of this new normality. Keeping a healthy physical distance, 1.5 meter at a least, is part of our new reality. Many businesses even mark the proper distance either on the floor or on their walls. Small businesses market booths and convenience store, tienditas, don’t do distance marks, but people know to keep … Read more
Exercising is definitely one of the activities that has suffered the most. Gyms are closed in Guatemala. Whenever in public spaces one must be wearing a face mask and some people complain about exercising with a mask. How are people exercising in your corner of the world?
As I mentioned yesterday, through Pandemic Photo Project I am sharing images of the new normality for Guatemalans even though we have not yet arrived to this phase of the pandemic. Nevertheless, we are getting on with our lives the best we can. How are you getting on with life in your neck of the … Read more
Through the Pandemic Photo Project I have been sharing sights of how the new normality will look like for the short-term and medium-term future. Face masks, physical distancing, constant hand sanitation will be part of this new normality, at least until an effective vaccine or treatment is found for Covid-19. What does the new normality … Read more
A chance encounter at the pharmacy provided the opportunity to capture the portraits of these three Mayan women. One of them said to me, “We are Guatemalan women and it is too bad you can’t see our smiles behind our masks.” Of course, the masks can not hide the good vibes and smiles that were … Read more
Finally we have a gradual re-opening date for Guatemala: July 27. The re-opening will be gradual and by municipalities [counties] using a traffic light system that goes from red to orange to yellow to green. Those municipal districts with a red light, 25 or more active infections for every 100,000 people, will be under strict … Read more
A Mayan woman set up a pop-up pottery shop as life must go on under the conditions set by this new reality. How is life moving forward in your corner of the world?
Even though the government has been providing freely face coverings ever since it was instituted that face masks were mandatory and those who refused to wear them can be fined, a large fine I may add, Q7000 to Q150,000 [US$925 – $20,000]; Guatemalans didn’t wait to get a free mask, they bought masks according to … Read more
Farmers often turn a wheelbarrow into a fresh produce stand minutes later after harvesting the vegetables and fruits from their plots, as it was the case with these radishes, a common crop around Antigua Guatemala. What makes this sight unique to our times is their face coverings; don’t you agree?
In Guatemala even farmers wear a face mask whenever they are outdoors and in public spaces. They may not use a face covering when they are in their fields and plots, but they cover their face as soon as they are back on the streets.
Ever since face masks became obligatory in public spaces in Guatemala back in March, people have complied nearly 99.99% of the time. So, it seems odd for people in Guatemala to read or watch news of people fighting its usage in other parts of the world. Honestly, unless a vaccine is developed in the next … Read more