Videos

Drummer and Chirimilla Flute Player in Antigua Guatemala

by
Drummer and Chirimilla Flute Player in Antigua Guatemala by Rudy Giron

The haunting Mayan sounds of the chirimilla flute and drums can still be heard at most religious and public events. Unfortunately, while talking with the musicians, I learned that one the chirimilla flute retires no one in his family or descendants will continue his legacy. I believe this is repeating with many indigenous Mayan families … Read more

Antigüeños Celebrate With Parades and Processions

by
Ciudad de los Gigantes by Rudy Giron

Sometimes it seems that antigüeños only celebrate with parades and processions. I say this because almost every month you encounter a procession or a parade and on special occasions you find both. The celebrations of Santiago, Saint James, are a very good example. Here’s another short video clip showing one of the marching bands of … Read more

Iglesia Escuela de Cristo Reflected on a Fountain

by
Iglesía Escuela de Cristo Reflected on a Fountain by Rudy Giron

I have not idea why La Escuela de Cristo church is so important in Antigua Guatemala. The two largest processions from Antigua Guatemala actually are La Merced and Escuela de Cristo. Often on my way home I go by this church and I have noticed there are large weddings here every weekend. Now, Escuela de … Read more

Tamagochy Mime Makes People Laugh in Antigua Guatemala

by
Tamagochy Mime Makes People Laugh in Antigua Guatemala by Rudy Giron

This is why Parque Central still the most popular venue in Antigua Guatemala after nearly 500 years of existence: It’s Friday fun as usual at Parque Central. First, Tamagochy, our local mime, takes his turn to yank smiles and laughs from the audience formed around his “maleta de la alegría” (happiness suitcase) and getting in … Read more

Wok this way…

by
Wok this way... by Rudy Giron

Wokco is the new fast-food Chinese or Asian concept restaurant that opened recently in Antigua Guatemala. According to Daniela, one of the managers, the concept is widely used around the world, but this is the first time a wok fast-food concept is put in practice in Guatemala. Honestly, I thought it was just another franchise … Read more

The Most Typical Guatemalan Morral (Satchel)

by
The Most Typical Guatemalan Morral (Satchel) by Rudy Girón

The satchel shown above has to be most typical and the most often found Guatemalan morral. You can find this kind of satchel in different colors and sizes, but the black and white is by far the most common. Also, in this picture taken only a few moments ago, I am sharing a typical vista … Read more

Green Should Be the Official Color of Guatemala

by
Green Should Be the Official Color of Guatemala by Rudy Giron

Green is the most often found color in Guatemala. Green is our Quetzal. Green is also our quetzal bill. Green our Ceibas, our national tree. Green’s everywhere you look. If you still have doubts about what color better represents Guatemala, take a look at this image taken from the road that connects Antigua Guatemala with … Read more

A Day at the Spring-water Pools of Finca El Pilar

by
A Day at the Spring-water Pools of Finca El Pilar by Rudy Girón

There are three public spring-water pools inside Finca El Pilar. One pool for kids, less than one meter deep, a medium size pool which is about 2 meter deep and a large three-meter deep pool, or tanques, water tanks as they are called there. All three pools are filled once or twice a week completely … Read more

Classic Ford 1953 seen in Antigua Guatemala

by

I don’t know about you, but I like the design of most things done before 70s. I mean just take something as mundane as a refrigerator and back in the 1950s the design was better. Obviously cars are the best example of that. Take the 1953 Ford coupe above, come on, cars back then had … Read more

Edgar Dorantes Quartet at the 12 Festival Internacional de Jazz in Antigua Guatemala

by

As in previous years, once again I had the opportunity to attend one of the jazz recitals of the 12th International Jazz Festival at the Compañía de Jesús atrium. The Edgar Dorantes Quartet from Xalapa, Veracruz ignited the chilly night with a wonderful performance, a mixture of tried-and-tested classic pieces, latin jazz pieces and original … Read more

Theme Day: Animals

by

Of all God’s creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat. —Mark Twain Once again Antigua Daily Photo is participating on the theme day organized by … Read more

Guatemala Takes Baby Steps Towards Justice

by

Preparing for a Mayan Ceremony by Rudy A. Girón

Flyer of public hearing of retired general Efrain Rios Montt on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.This morning Guatemala is taking baby steps towards justice by having a historic public hearing of retired General Efraín Ríos Montt on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. The retired General Efraín Ríos Montt will be responding to charges of genocide and crimes against humanity done during his year in power between 1982-1983. This is just one more baby step to bring reconciliation and justice for the Guatemalan armed conflict which happened between 1960 and 1996 and was sparked by a coup orchestrated by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the 1954 Guatemalan coup d’état which produced over 250,000 victims, 45,0000 disappeared persons and over one million of displaced people.

Read more

Jazz Recitals on Calle del Arco

by

Jazz Recitals on Calle del Arco by Rudy A. Girón

Calle del Arco is the place to be on the weekends in Antigua Guatemala if you want to listen to live music. For sure you can find live marimba music, either Maya or traditional Guatemalan songs, but sometimes you find blues, jazz or urban rock ensembles. This was the case for the past weekend.

Below you can watch a short video clip, if you can provide the name of the song, you win a post card. Good luck!

Read more

Colorful Guatemalan Fundraising

by

Colorful Guatemalan Fundraising

If you want to do street photography you have to be quick and be ready at all times because you never know when and where the fleeting images will appear.

Yo no me curo así... yo soy Garrick!Case in point is the image above, captured on my way back home while taking an alternate route through San Miguel Escobar. As I was driving up the road, I was surprised to see a whole bunch of colorful clown running on the direction of the mobile PA system, a truck really with several speakers blasting cumbia music. Without really understanding what was going on, I grabbed my camera with a swift move and before I knew, I took just one shot from the car without lowering the windows or anything because that’s all the time I had before the colorful parade and motorcade moved away. Of course, I was not able to get the 30 or so clowns in the frame, but I was satisfied I got enough of them to be representative.

At first I thought it was a convite. Only after looking at the photograph on the computer I was able to see this was a very clever and colorful FUNdraising. I still don’t know what was the fundraising cause, but I am sure it was a success. After I tweaked the photo a little, contrast and sharpness, I realized how much I enjoy the rhythm in this image; it almost feels like everything came into place all at once. I especially like the fraction that entitled “Garrick” and I am showing as a thumbnail here.

What do you think of it?

Read more