This is the welcoming display sign that you can find in the hallway that connects the underground parking lot and the Hotel-Museo Casa Santo Domingo in La Antigua Guatemala. Although, there is no reference element in the picture to give you an idea of the size of the sign, I can tell you is very big; the red background of the display must be about 3 meters by 2 meters (9 feet by 6 feet).
If you have lived for a while in the ‘first world’, make sure you know how to read this sign. Sanitarios is the Spanish word used in Guatemala for bathrooms. Make sure to memorize it, otherwise you will be running like this little girl. 😉
Don’t you just love this Sanitarios sign… see how can I not suffer a fetish for signs in La Antigua Guatemala when even the most mundane sign is made to look aesthetically pleasing.
Poinsettias or Flor de Pascua are in full bloom in The Land of the Eternal Spring for the Christmas season. Commercial decorations are beginning to show up in shops and restaurants. Soon enough we will have the Burning of the Devil celebrations, Nacimientos, Posadas and everything else that comes with the Christmas season. Soon, even the trees will dress for the holidays.
The above yellow corner is located on 1a calle poniente in La Antigua Guatemala. The Astoria delicatessen is just one of many delicatessen in La Antigua Guatemala. We are privileged in this aspect with access to some fine and exclusive ingredients. La Antigua Guatemala is a tiny town that wants to be a huge cosmopolitan metropolis, but without the traffic, rush hours, or smog. Let it dream!
The Fetish Etymology Side Note: First there was the Spanish word Hechizo (witch craft or witch-made) which turned into Feitiço in Portuguese. The Portuguese Feitiço swam over the North Sea to France and became Fetiche (actually, between you and I, Feitiço flew to France on a broom; but since we are talking about the XV century we don’t want to risk misinterpretation, you know). Once in France it was only a matter of time for the English to snatched the foreign-sounding word, but because they did not how to spell it, Fetiche became Fetish. Unfortunately this was at the time when the Europeans were trading with humans from Africa and because they did not know much about Africans religions they use the word fetish to denominate all those religious rituals. Karl Marx felt that merchandise possessed a bewitching aspect and thus it was evil, so he called this malicious attraction a fetish. Once in the German language, it was only a matter of time (again) for mister Sigmund Freud to muddle with its meaning to apply it to the phenomena he was observing in his clinic. With this last meaning fetish (fetiche in Spanish) came back to its mother tongue; completely transformed.
After all those years, all those rainy seasons, all those earthquakes this old wall still stands.
Okay, I don’t have much to say today. Or, rather there’s plenty to say, but not enough time to write it up. So, we take a break and pleasure in a soothing image of dog enjoying the late afternoon rain.
Best wishes for the upcoming weekend, everyone!
We continue with “the sign fetish” and today’s turn is for La Tienda de Doña Gavi sign. Believe it or not, this tiny store is one of La Antigua Guatemala landmarks and it’s located on the street behind the Cathedral. Doña Gavi sells all kinds of organic stuff in this cozy shop including avocado ice cream. If you come to Antigua, you must visit this shop. If you don’t trust my recommendation, read the On the Road Travel recommendation below:
I am a sucker for signs and La Antigua Guatemala has an amazing palette of signs made from wood, ceramic tiles, metal, paint, glass, etc. Perhaps, I am sensitive to signs because of my graphic design background or maybe because I am sign junkie. I like the colors, the materials and sometimes simply the typography used. The sign above is made from metal, welded together and installed at entrance of the parking lot of Porta Hotel Antigua with a gorgeous hand-made typeface. Sorry, I said I am sign addict and since I try to show you what one is expected to find while strolling around Antigua Guatemala.
Signs, signs, signs I sure do like them. If you browse the Signs category you will find 27 different samples of the many signs that adorn the walls of La Antigua Guatemala. Almost a month worth of signs.
For those of you who have visited La Antigua Guatemala, do you remember this sign and can you tell us more or less where it’s located?
There is a broken bell in the San Lázaro Church, which is located inside the premises of the San Lázaro Cemetery. The broken bell serves as testament of the many earthquakes this land has experienced and its resilient will to continue to toll for the dead.
La Antigua Guatemala is like a huge living catalog of colonial architectonic design elements. You can walk around the town armed with a camara, notepad and pencil and an eye for detail to capture all the beauty that make up the architecture of The Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Sait James of the Knights of Guatemala. All the colonial architectonic design elements make this an enchanting and haunting little town. It is, certainly, more than the sum of its elements.
In La Antigua Guatemala even transnational companies have to bend their rules of signage and corporate identity to blend and be in harmony with the architecture and colonial style of the town. Check out the Transnational series signs I did back in October 2006.
The flavor in life is found in the little details. The transit signs in La Antigua Guatemala are a very good example of that. You take something boring but necessary as a stop sign and turn it into a beautiful detail; which makes your walks around town a little more pleasant to the eyesight. The stop signs (alto in Spanish) in La Antigua Guatemala are made from red ceramic tiles and metal frames.
The sign above is at entrance doorway of the Colegio Mayor de Santo Tomás de Aquino, School of Saint Thomas, and you …
Here is a little confession: I do like many of the business signs in Antigua. As much as I dislike billboard and …
The sign reads: Here lived Fray Pedro de San José Betancourt, apostle of charity. Born in Tenerife in March [21], 1626. Died …
Juaréz Hnos Hierro Forjado shop in La Antigua Guatemala is the oldest forged metal shop in the American Continent according to the …
The typical or traditional sweets at la Dulcería de Doña María Gordillo are “… made from milk, condensed milk, coconut, almonds, marzapan, …
Slowly but surely Cubans are building a community in Antigua. Here you see the sign for Sabor Cubano Restaurant (4a calle oriente …
There are several architectonic elements that make Antigua such a photographic place. These are windows, doors, walls, signs, churches, arches, patios, fountains, …
Started with the night of December 15, there have been sightings of Joseph and Mary’s quest for shelter around the streets of …
This picture was made during a photo walk where I was teaching how to compose a photograph using symmetry and color contrast. …
If you were to ask me if Antigua Guatemala is a dog-friendly city, I would say that it is. Often I see …
Today is observed and celebrated the Día de la Santa Cruz, Day of the Holy Cross,in the Catholic world. As in previous …
Purple or violet and black are the colors of Lent and the Holy Week. Cucuruchos, float bearers, wear their cone-head purple robes …
Here’s your illustrated Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Alfombras procesionales for processional carpets. Once again I’ll be offering group and private …
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Semana Santa [Holy Week] the in Catholic realm. These Palm Sunday bouquets are burned and …
Finally, after two years of not having any processions in Antigua Guatemala, the government gave the green light to some processions as …
Smartphone cameras are the most common cameras people use during the photo walks I lead in and around Antigua Guatemala. Of course, it is very gratifying to me teach people how to best use their smartphone cameras and all the features they offer to be able to capture daily life vistas during their travels…
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Mirador for view point. Giant hands floating out of the mountains are the most …
Poinsettias are autochthonous to Guatemala and Mesoamerica so they can be grown in gardens either by design or as wild intruders as well as in the fields as wild plants. In Guatemala poinsettias are known as Flor de Pascua, or simply as…
Today Guatemala and the other Central American countries commemorate the bicentennial of the independence. As part of the no-crowds celebrations, the Banco de Guatemala put in circulation a Commemorative Bicentennial Twenty Quetzals bill… TAP to see the full size photos of the new Q20 bill and to read the complete post.
Today I am sharing a simple vista with the things that one often encounters while strolling around Antigua Guatemala during the rainy …
Antigua Guatemala’s Covid-testing clinic is located inside the installation of the health center at Parque Isabel La Católica. Even though the clinic …
As I mentioned yesterday, the pandemic has changed how the Semana Santa and other festivities are observed in Guatemala. One of those …
Just because we are not having processions during Cuaresma [Lent] or during the Semana Santa [Holy Week] it doesn’t mean we are …
You can find this vertical garden wall in the village of San Gaspar Vivar, about 3 kms from the heart of Antigua …
Don’t you agree that modernity usually comes with visual pollution, especially in colonial Antigua Guatemala. Nevertheless, I have tried to capture power …
Let the nine days of posadas navideñas begin. Since this morning, December 15th, there have been sightings of Joseph and Mary’s quest …
Here’s your illustrated Spanish word of the day: Esquina for corner. This yellow corner is one of my favorite corners in Antigua …
I love Antigua Guatemala; that’s what the colorful sign says all the way near the yellow wall of La Merced. I really …
Neither rain nor shine keeps these ambulant ice cream vendors from the their ice cream selling routes. Starting this weekend, only those …
Just like many ambulant vendors, shoe shiners must find a way to generate some income to put food on the table during …
Let the walls in Antigua speak: Todo va estar bien or everything is going to be alright. Especially if we have beer …
Any other year, this week the streets of Antigua Guatemala would be packed with people, processions and beautiful Semana Santa carpets. Now, …
Even though we are under quarantine and lockdown national mandates, we still get a chance to enjoy the sunshine and flowers found …
The Strongylodon jade vines are commonly known as emerald vine or turquoise jade vine; although in Antigua Guatemala the popular name is …
As I have shared with you before, these vibrant yellow or maroon spotted with yellow strange-looking flowers are the gift of a …
Things will get better, stay safe, stay strong, stay tele-connected with loved ones and stay actively creative. Take advantage of all the …
Doors and windows all over Antigua Guatemala are decorated with purple flowers and banners. The color purple is a sign of penitence.
Get your camera ready to capture the color and devotion of Cuaresma and Semana Santa in Antigua Guatemala! Book one of my …
With each passing year, the processional carpets, or alfombras procesionales as we known them here, get more elaborate and artistically intricate. Some …
Lent and Easter are coming, get your camera ready! Book one of my Lenten photo walks to have unprecedented access to the …
This sign reads like sound advice for 2020, especially for the times we are living in; don’t you think? 😉
Did you know that the sign regulation of Antigua Guatemala mandates that signs must me handmade and only metal, wood or ceramic …
This year theme for the Flower Festival of Antigua Guatemala was The Little Prince as it’s claimed that Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was inspired to …
The ruins of Our Lady of Sorrow of the Hill are located on the north east part of Antigua Guatemala. Have you …
Most photographers point their cameras towards the “anda” of Jesús Nazareno during the processions. I believe the float of Virgin Mary can …
Here’s a vista of the Jesús Nazareno float from Iglesia de La Merced on Palm Sunday as it made its way through …
Today’s photographs were made while I was teaching a street photography workshop during Easter & Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala. Take home …
Take home extraordinary images of the once-a-year traditional and colorful processions from the intricacies of carpet building, to the coordination required to …
As I have shared before, there are three designated [painted] parking sections in the streets of Antigua Guatemala. White is for motorcycles …
The fourth Sunday of Lent is the turn for the Santa Ana Procession to serpent through the streets of Antigua Guatemala and …
Cuaresma [Lent] and Semana Santa [Holy Week] are equal-opportunity religious events where everyone gets a chance to participate. Here we caught the …
Don’t miss this once-a-year chance to capture stunning aspects of the traditional processions from the intricacies of carpet building, to the coordination …
Le Comedor restaurant has a sign on the outside wall that reads: Comida francesa económica. I thought that was an oxymoron because …
Explore some of the most photogenic spots of Antigua Guatemala and learn how to capture them photographically. Join us next time you …
There are three designated [painted] parking areas on the streets of Antigua Guatemala. Blue is for handicap-marked vehicles. White is for motorcycles …
Explore the Hidden Gems of Antigua Guatemala with photographer Rudy Giron of AntiguaPhotoWalks.com
Merry Christmas to y’all!
For today, I decided to shared a humble corn-husk Nacimiento, another popular style found in Guatemala.
Hector’s Bistro has now a delicious selection of lunch specials for Q65 which includes the main dish, salad or fries and a …
Here’s your Guatemalan illustrated Spanish word of the day: Biblioteca for library. In Spanish Librería is a bookshop. This sign is the …
Through the Antigua Photo Walks I am able to share some hidden gems of Antigua Guatemala with visitors looking to go beyond …
This is the end of the daily updates of AntiguaDailyPhoto.com; it’s been 4,384 days since our first post on May 1st, 2006. …
We kick start the Semana Santa with the procession of Jesús Nazareno of La Merced around 9am this Palm Sunday morning. Below …
Once again I am sharing exotic flowers and an antique stove as part of this week mini series of beautiful spots in …
Lent and Semana Santa is time to show devotion and love as you can see in the picture above. With this wonderful …
Nowadays I believe there are as many photographers as cucuruchos, well maybe half or so as many cucuruchos. Of course, many cucuruchos …
Another typical vista during Lent is the purple banners and bands that adorn many houses and business doorways and windows. Palacio de …
Here’s your illustrated Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Alfombras procesionales for processional carpets. To look at the Lenten processional carpets you …
Join me for a very special photo walk every Sunday of Lent, from 2 pm to 6 pm. Don’t miss this once-a-year …
The Quinceañera, or Quince años (“fifteen years” in English), in Latin American culture, is a coming of age ceremony held on a …
Here is yet another quotidian vista from Antigua Guatemala, as I promised to share with back in May 1st, 2006. A sign …
The people of Antigua Guatemala also participated in the grand national manifestations under the tags #ParoNacional and #ParoS20 against corruption and to …
Volcanos, triangles and stars are the two most often motifs found on the Central American republic flags. The Central American Federation flag …
The parking regulation of La Antigua Guatemala are not confusing once you know all the wrinkles of it all. The problems arise …
Calle Belén should be 10a calle or Callejón Belén as it’s short alley connecting Plaza Belén with 3a avenida sur final in …
One of the things we teach during the Antigua Photo Walks is how to make more creative group portraits. This especially important …
As I mentioned yesterday, motorcycles are quite popular as family vehicles. Of course, motorcycles are just as popular for couples. Of course, …
Some of the more intricate and complex designs of alfombras, carpets, can take as long as 12 hours. Such was the case …
How about a satirical parade about a procession? As I said before, in Antigua Guatemala the two most popular form of manifestation …
Violet or purple and black are the colours of Lent and the Holy Week. Cucuruchos, bearers, wear their cone-head purple robes as …
I should say Garifuna style coconut bread, really, since that’s what this bread is. We could argue, of course, that Garifuna people …
Nearly four thousands days ago when I started Antigua Daily Photo, I focused a lot on the architecture of Antigua Guatemala. Of …
We are so fortunate to have over a dozen delightful coffee houses in La Antigua Guatemala; each with its own flare and …
How about a Coca Cola sign at every light post in Antigua Guatemala? How was this approved? What are your thoughts?
Let’s be honest, we all do it, especially so when we’re traveling and need to check something or post the latest update …
As I often mention during the photo walks, my two favourite buildings are Compañía de Jesús and Casa Santo Domingo. Each represents …
