While some people prefer to make an extra buck, or a lot more extra bucks, here in La Antigua Guatemala some of us try to just live with what nature presents us. So, here is an experiment on a brief time lapse when the Volcán de Fuego erupted on September 14 while I was capturing the gorgeous sunset.
How can some people forget to live life?
text, photo and video by Arturo Godoy. Check out Arturo’s portfolio to purchase photos from his massive photographic bank.
The Antigua Guatemala’s Half Marathon Las Rosas consists of a route of 21 kilometers through La Antigua Guatemala, Jocotenango, Ciudad Vieja and back to Antigua Guatemala. The half marathon Las Rosas begins and ends at the Plaza Mayor, Main Square of La Antigua Guatemala. The half marathon Las Rosas is held one Sunday before the Santiago (St James) festivities which are celebrated on July 25. The half marathon Las Rosas is among the most popular long distances running competitions in Guatemala. The winners were Elisha Korir with a lapsed time of 1:02:52 for the men category and Judy Jesire with a lapsed of 1:13:20 for the women category.
Here’s my slide show of the half marathon Las Rosas 2010 in La Antigua Guatemala. I hope you like it!
I am a lucky guy!
I am so lucky to have among my friends and acquaintances movers and shakers of the Guatemalan society. One such person is Omar Soto, photographer and member of the Antigua’s Photo Club, who captured arresting images of the damages caused by tropical storm Agatha in San Miguel Escobar and Ciudad Vieja, two communities near La Antigua Guatemala, while helping the people of those communities. Afterwards, Omar Soto turned a selection of those photographs into “Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha” (Help and Hope after Agatha’s Aftermath), a benefit and chronicle photo exhibit on display now at Convento Las Capuchinas ruins.
At the inauguration of Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha Omar Soto requested food and cash donation to help the people of San Miguel Escobar and Ciudad Vieja who are still in need.
I am very grateful to know people like Omar Soto, who set an example and inspiration of the things one can do to help others in need.
Below a few shots of the inauguration and a video clip captured by Kara Andrade. I hope that if you are in La Antigua Guatemala right now or in the following weeks, you make the time to visit the Ayuda y Esperanza tras el paso de Agatha.
Kara Andrade’s video coverage:
A few months ago, I posted as part of the Theme Day some Maximón effigies made from wood, now holly wood really since Maximón is worshiped by the Maya people of Guatemala. The appearance of the person in today’s photo is so close to being a live representation of the Maximón effigy that I could not think of a better name for the images, even while taking the photographs. Below, there is additional information regarding Maximón so you can understand humor behind the today’s title.
Michael Bosio shared this with us:
Maximon is Cakchiquel [Kakchiquel] for Don Simon. He is somewhat associated with Judas, and therefore a connection to the devil. Offerings are made to him for less than honest favors such as revenge, wealth, and love interests. When I was a Peace Corps Volunteer from 1978-81, I saw his effigy in Zunil on several occasions, but if you want to see the total San Simon cult you must go to San Andrés Itzapa in the department of Chimaltenango. They have a temple there full of old memorabilia, offerings, etc. It’s a real industry with shops set up to sell statues, offerings,etc. It’s worth the bus ride to see this, and it’s not just the Indigenous People that perpetuate the cult.
Below, an introduction to Maximón from Wikipedia.
The origins of his cult are not very well understood by outsiders to the different Mayan religions, but Maximón is believed to be a form of the pre-Columbian Maya god Mam, blended with influences from Catholicism. Maximón may also be called San Simón. Originally, he was believed to be a Catholic priest who had looked after aboriginals during early 1600s.
Where Maximón is venerated, he is represented by an effigy which resides in a different house each year, being moved in a procession during Holy Week. During the rest of the year, devotees visit Maximón in his chosen residence, where his shrine is usually attended by two people from the representing Cofradia who keep the shrine in order and pass offerings from visitors to the effigy. Worshippers offer money, spirits and cigars or cigarettes to gain his favour in exchange for good health, good crops, and marriage counseling, amongst other favours. The effigy invariably has a lit cigarette or cigar in its mouth, and in some places, it will have a hole in its mouth to allow the attendants to give it spirits to drink.
Maximón is generally dressed in European 18th century style, although with many local variations. In Santiago Atitlán he is adorned with many colourful garlands, while in Zunil (where he is known as San Simón) he has a much more intimidating style, with his face obscured by dark sunglasses and a bandanna.
The worship of Maximón treats him not so much as a benevolent deity but rather as a bully whom one does not want to anger. He is also known to be a link between Xibalbá The Underworld and Bitol heart of heaven (Corazón del Cielo). His expensive tastes in alcohol and cigarettes indicate that he is a very human character, very different from the ascetic ideals of Christian sainthood. Devotees believe that prayers for revenge, or success at the expense of others, are likely to be granted by Maximón. (source: Wikipedia)
Video of What Would Maximón Do? courtesy of Kara Andrade of NewMaya.org:
A few weeks ago I introduced you to the recycling truck of La Antigua Guatemala and hi-lighted the fact that it runs on biodiesel which is obtained by processing the restaurants’ burnt oil and other liquid fats and how it is used for the recycling program as well. Here’s, once again, my friend Kara Andrade … Read more
Today, for instance, in Guatemala we celebrate Día del padre, Father’s Day. So I decided to share with you three photos of a series of a father and her daughter having a tender lunch. The little girl refused to take the byte unless her dad gave it to her on the mouth. These three photos are in reverse order, so the first frame is the thumbnail on the right, next the thumbnail of the left and finally the photograph above as they break into smiles and happy moments. There other photos with both of them smiling, but I love the mirada juguetona, playful look of the lit
I like to photograph old people. I like to photograph young people. I like to photograph people, regardless of their age, really. I like to photograph people bonding. I like to photograph members of a family interacting, being kind to one another. That’s what life is all about. Please, help me come up with possible … Read more
At 3:30 in the morning and by the light of the full moon as the rooster crowed a couple times, my husband and I threw on our sweaters and jeans, stumbled out into the quiet streets of El Calvario and into our car. We knew we were taking a chance by driving into La Antigua … Read more
This Sunday afternoon at Calle del Arco was just as guest contributor Arturo Godoy said in The mime just wants to get married post, “Often it’s a bit complicated to go out on Sundays because La Antigua Guatemala gets crowded… Remember that anything and everything can happen as you walk around Antigua Guatemala on any given Sunday.”
That’s exactly what I felt when I walked onto Calle de Arco this past Sunday as the enchanting Mayan music coming off from the marimba from Grupo Maya Kaqchikel. The crowds were making a natural amphitheater around the marimba players. Watch the short video clip below to get an idea.
Everywhere you look there were people, locals and foreigners alike, having a good time. Every a few steps, people were snapping shots or having their photograph taken. There were several algodones (cotton candy), globos (balloons) and chupetes (triangle-shape hard candy) vendors all along Calle del Arco. To top it all, of course, there was a large procession on Calle del Arco as well. For a few hours this past Sunday everything seemed to be in harmony; one of those Life is good! moments I have talked about.
Do you remember when was the last time you had a chupete candy?
Anyway, in my never ending quest of bringing you the contrast of the ‘Old’ Guatemala versus the ‘New’ Guatemala, I share with you two new versions of Luna de Xelajú. The first rendition of Luna de Xelajú is by Malacates Trebol Shop. The second version of Luna de Xelajú is performed by the group Abracadabra. Next, you will find the lyrics for Luna de Xelajú in Spanish and English right below. Last but not least, you can watch and hear the Marimba of Bellas Artes performed Luna de Xelajú. Enjoy!
As almost every first of the month, AntiguaDailyPhoto is joining the City Daily Photo community in the orchestrated global effort to show you “wood” as a theme day. I opted to show you Maximón effigies made from wood, now holly wood really since Maximón is worshiped by the Maya people of Guatemala. Below, an introduction … Read more
Have I told you how much I love the dry season in Guatemala (November through April)? Well, I do for so many reasons, like the dry season is also the cooler, even chilly, time of the year. The quality of light is superb and thus the sunsets are incredible almost every day. Because all the winds blowing from the big white north, the skies are clear and the volcanoes are bare naked (without the fluffy clouds). And Volcán de Fuego begins its relentless activity sending smoke signals several times through the day. I believe this picture encapsulates quiet well the reasons why I love the dry season.
So, what are you waiting for, pack your luggage and come to La Antigua Guatemala before the rains come again!
There are two ‘official’ snack times in Guatemala known as refacción; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I have shown you the morning refacción before, but this is the first time, I believe, I show the afternoon refacción. Refacción, however, is much more than a simple snack time. Refacción is the time … Read more
What characteristics or traits can be extrapolated from a culture by looking at a simple kiosk? I’ll start and then you share with the rest us your thoughts. First, I see that Guatemala is country of pyromaniacs who love color and loud sounds. Guatemalans do not like gray, easy, mellow, avoid-the-extremes-sort of lifestyles. Everything is … Read more
Last month I shared with you La Antigua Guatemala Sign Ordinances. I will again post the information below to keep fresh. One thing I forgot to mention last month is the fact that only “ONE” sign is allowed per business or institution. How many signs do you see in the picture above? Here’s a little … Read more
