Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Kiosko or Quiosco for kiosk. During Lent and Holy Week, you can find information kiosks peppered all over Antigua Guatemala. If you can’t find one near you, head over the parque central where there are four information booths on each corner of the main square. The people … Read more
As I’ve said before, the creation of precessional carpets from sawdust, fruit and vegetables, pine-needles, flowers, etc. is a community-forming tradition. The colourful and aromatic processional alfombras or carpets are among the most creative and colorful elements of the Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala. Usually, people meet up by block or near-by neighbors to … Read more
Once again it is Domingo de Ramos, or Palm Sunday, in Antigua Guatemala. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Semana Santa [Holy Week] the in Catholic realm. I’ll be covering again the Antigua Guatemala Holy Week Vistas with the goal to cast new light on the subject. Stay tuned! Best wishes for Holy Week/Easter … Read more
Do not underestimate the power of catholic imagery. You see, the world-famous Antigua Guatemala processions are about showing the devoted images as a reminder and representation of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Also, today all Stations of the Cross altars will be open and many if not all procession will pay a visit to El Calvario Church, which is located on the southern outskirts of La Antigua Guatemala. El Calvario or Calvary (Golgotha) is the name of the mount on the outskirts of Jerusalem where it’s believe Jesus Christ was crucified. This church with its three arches provides a symbolic representation of the crucifixion; with each arch representing each cross.
The processional carpets are among the most creative and colorful elements of the Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala. As I’ve mentioned before, the making of carpets from sawdust, pine-needles, flowers, vegetables is a community-forming tradition. People get together by block or near-by neighbors to create the carpets on which the processions will pass by. … Read more
Okay, the 365-day wait is over. The world-famous Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala is here. Get your cameras ready and join the hundreds if not thousands of photographers and cucuruchos populating the 10-block colonial town of Antigua Guatemala. If under normal circumstances there are plenty of photographers capturing every conceivable vista from La Antigua … Read more
That is right, Semana Santa in Guatemala is an equal opportunity celebration. Sure, cucuruchos take the majority of the clicks of cameras and most of the video recorded, but children, women and dogs have a place in the Holy Week celebrations. Women’s float or andas are a bit smaller and carry virgins or angels most of the time.
Gringos are now an integral part of La Antigua Guatemala and therefore many of them participate of the preparations of the world famous alfombras de Semana Santa (Holy Week carpets) made from colorful sawdust, flowers, fruits, and anything the imagination allows. From this shot, I particularly like the framing of the tourist with his backpack … Read more
So much mumble jumble to present the underneath view of a Holy Week float in one of the villages of La Antigua Guatemala. Andas (floats) are not only the affair of cucuruchos, women also participate; and sometimes even chuchos (street dogs) get involved in the penitent act of carrying the heavy float! 😉
Copal incense and corozo palms provide the main aromas of Lent and Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala. Corozo palms are sold in the Antigua Guatemala municipal mercado during and around Lent season. As I have said before, Lent and Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala carry their own set of scents, flavors and colors. I … Read more
Here’s one of my tips from the street photography walks: Anticipate your photos. In other words, visualize your picture before it becomes a reality. When you do that, you can be ready with your finger on the shutter release the moment the picture materializes. During the photo walks I go through many samples and ideas … Read more
The Antigua Photo Walks is the best vehicle I have found to teach and shared my approach to street photography and capturing natural images of daily life in Antigua Guatemala. Of course, the principles and approaches I share work everywhere, but we get the chance to put them in practice right away on the streets. … Read more
Here we have a tocoyales exhibit at Museo del Tejido Antiguo. I know, you are wondering what in the world is a tocoyal, right? Basically, tocoyales are bands that your wrap around your head; in other words, headwear Mayan textiles. By the way, in case you didn’t know, Ixchel is the Mayan goddess of the … Read more
Another typical vista during Lent is the purple banners and bands that adorn many houses and business doorways and windows. Palacio de Doña Leonor goes the extra mile by also placing a live violet orchid in between the doorways. Is this your first Semana Santa in Antigua or your 5th? Join us for an unforgettable … Read more
Every Sunday of Lent I am leading some very special photo walks, from 2pm to 5pm, and during the Holy Week, from 2pm to 5pm, themed around the elements of the Holy Week. These photo walks start with an information-packed presentation defining the different elements of Lent and the Holy Week and then we hit … Read more