It is not unusual to see people riding horses within the streets of La Antigua Guatemala. Some of the horses have been trained to do so gracefully that is a pleasure to watch them go by. Such is the case of this white horse and the jockey that ride as one with refinement and suave stride.
If you walk around La Antigua Guatemala, quite regularly, you come across groups of tourists taking tours of the city to learn about the streets, the ruins, the museums, the art galleries, the legends, and of course, the history. There are plenty of businesses in town which provide Antigua tours. Have you ever taken of … Read more
Okay, here is my contribution to the Costumbrism Photographs From La Antigua Guatemala. What better specimen for the costumbrism photography of Antigua than a typical corner from La Antigua Guatemala with a corner window, Spanish-tile roof, colonial-style street lamp, cobblestone street, window plants, tree branches peeking in, gorgeous blue sky, stoned walls, whitewashed walls, wooden … Read more
The best thing about street photography: serendipity —Philip Greenspun (source: Photo.Net) “Stare. It is the way to educate your eye, and more. Stare, pry, listen eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.” —Walker Evans (source: Photo.Net) See, I have tricked you into thinking I am a genius. I merely happen to be there … Read more
Here’s the follow-up photo to yesterday’s rear view mirror vista. In this picture, you can appreciate the different cortes worn by the indigenous women of Guatemala. These cortes are not the usual indigenous dresses you find around La Antigua Guatemala. I am not sure where they are from exactly, but for sure, the different styles … Read more
Some people like photos without people; aseptic and sterile images pues. I am the opposite. To me what makes the image interesting is the life in it. Here’s my approach to the photo taking process: This morning as I was driving past the San Francisco El Grande Church, I spotted a classic post card of … Read more
According to my dashboard, today’s entry is number 1111. Go figure! Alameda is the Spanish word for tree-line road or pathway. La Antigua Guatemala has three alamedas from its original drawn grid of 1543. The three alamedas are Alameda Santa Lucía, Alameda Santa Rosa and Alameda del Calvario. I believe this is the first time … Read more
Next time you are strolling around Antigua Guatemala and you come across street vending carts, like the ones you see above, you’ll know you can order a Chevere hot dog or the world-famous-wikipedia-entry Guatemalan shuco hot dog. Can you tell me what’s the difference between a chevere hot dog and a shuco hot dog? He … Read more
It is difficult to frame a shadow, especially if it’s moving, but it can be done. Now, if you had asked me to frame an entire street, I would have said, sorry, it can’t be done. Well, I guess I was wrong; an entire street can be framed. 😉 Today’s image is more inline with … Read more
Whenever you come across people riding horses or donkeys over the cobblestone streets of La Antigua Guatemala you feel like you are for real in the 16th and 17th Centuries. It is not unusual to come across people riding horses, carriages, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles, trucks, chicken buses and semis all within a few moments. The … Read more
The already narrow sidewalks of La Antigua Guatemala get even narrower with benches that literally grow out of the walls. Even though I have said a couple times that Antigua is a wonderful town to stroll with the family, with friends or alone, still, one must be careful with the colonial drain spouts or the … Read more
This is what Guatemalans think of when you utter Tanques de gas (gas tanks); it doesn’t cross their mind the fuel tank (gas tank) in the car. These stove gas tanks are ugly too and dangerous, if you ask me, to have around the house or on the street like in Calle del Arco. But, … Read more
Aspirante PMT printed in t-shirts means ‘aspirant’ for the Municipal Traffic Police (PMT abbreviation in Spanish). The proper word for traffic, as in vehicles, is transito although tráfico is also used; mostly because people don’t realize that tráfico in Spanish means the action of dealing or trading in something illegal. That’s the word of the … Read more
I don’t know how Barak Obama does it, but he shows up everywhere! Obama showed up in La Antigua Guatemala for my birthday. More recently, Obama appeared in billboards inside a video game for the iPhone/iPod Touch (remember I received one as my birthday present from my sisters). Now Obama showed up again in La … Read more
Oh the economy is hitting hard. People are trying to make ends meet. Some throw themselves to the streets to sell whatever they can. A ceviche stand is great option for generating additional income on the weekends since all you need is car or bicycle, a vinyl sign and a few stools. Oh, how I … Read more