Welcome to the Laid-back town of La Antigua Guatemala
Almost everyone who visits La Antigua Guatemala is taken by its laid-back atmosphere. It is almost like when you first approach La …
Perfect Weather for Retirement
One aspect of life in La Antigua Guatemala which drives many people to move here is the temperate weather. Even in the …
Even the Fountains Take a Break
Fountains come in all shapes, but one thing is common to all of them: they need maintenance. Here you see La Antigua …
Voters Registration Campaign
A new roller-coaster ride has began in Guatemala: it is once again election year. Guatemala has election every four years. Normally people …
Holy Week Elements: The Churches
Churches serve as terminals from which processions depart or arrive. Churches also serve as home-base for all the brotherhoods of cucuruchos and sisterhoods. Churches also put their best face for the Holy Week and many get a paint job and/or restoration works in the weeks prior to Semana Santa.
With this photo we wave goodbye to Semana Santa and to Holy Week’s processions. I was told the last procession, the Resurrection (Resurección) procession comes out on Easter Sunday (today) a 6 a.m. and its back in the church by 10 in the morning.
Holy Week Elements: The Sorrowful Mother
La Dolorosa or The Sorrowful Mother is the biblical figure of sorrowful mother Mary which follows Jesus in his way to his crucifixion. This act is represented by a smaller anda (long carved wooden flatbed image-carrying float [*]) —carrying the effigy of sorrowful Mother Mary and other female biblical representations— which is hauled exclusively by women who mostly dress in black or white as this is the appropriate dress code for a funeral. Jesus’ funeral.
Holy Week Elements: The Crowds
Thanks to Byron Ortiz for lending his photos of Semana Santa (Holy Week), so we can get a better picture of the …
Palm Flower Arrangements for Palm Sunday
Here’s the snapshot of a palm flower arrangements stand taken in the La Antigua Guatemala’s market on Saturday prior to Palm Sunday …
Kings of Spain Visit Antigua Guatemala: Photos, Video and SlideShow
In 1492 the Spaniards came to the Americas and traded their tiny mirrors and beads for all the wealth available in gold, …
Even the Sidewalks Get a New Look
Even the sidewalks get a new look for the visit of King Don Carlos and Queen Doña Sofía from Spain this Friday. …
Kings, Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers Wanted
Just yesterday I told you about the paint jobs that many houses and buildings undergo for the Holy Week Celebrations. Also, every …
New Paint Jobs in Antigua for the Holy Week
Many houses and business buildings get a new paint job right before the Holy Week. The streets of La Antigua Guatemala get …
Even the Windows Wear Violet
Back in March 6th I showed to you the entry doorway of Hotel Santo Domingo (Holy Sunday, by the way) with violet …
Purple Cone-Head Cucuruchos Are a Big Attraction
Purple cone-head “Cucuruchos” are a big attraction around Antigua Guatemala in the Lent Season. Although Cucurucho’ dresses come in many colors, bright …
Processional Musicians Play Sorrowful Tunes
One characteristic which I enjoy about processions is the sorrowful tunes that are played by the mournful marching bands that follow the …