Noche Buena in La Antigua Guatemala

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Christmas Eve or Noche Buena in La Antigua Guatemala is celebrated by staying up all night burning firecrackers and fireworks, eating tamales, turkey, or roasted pork leg, and drinking real fruit punch or hot real chocolate, visiting family, friends and neighbors for the respective abrazo de Noche Buena and buenos deseos (Christmas Eve hugs and … Read more

Surprise Visit of Santa Claus to Antigua Guatemala

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Believe it or not Santa Claus paid a surprise visit to La Antigua Guatemala two days before Christmas. No wonder we have been experiencing unusual weather and really low temperatures (almost 45F) in La Antigua Guatemala. It is uncertain if the snow seen over Volcán Tajumulco just the other day fell off Santa’s new sleigh. … Read more

Typical Guatemalan Fireworks Stand

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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

Guatemalan Nacimientos or Nativity Scenes

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During early December, in Guatemala people begin putting up their Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes); a tradition that was brought to Guatemala by Santo Hermano Pedro de Betancourt and then spread to the rest of American continent. One important aspect of nacimientos is that baby Jesus is missing from the scene since his actual birthday is on … Read more

Visiting San Felipe de Jesús on the Weekends

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San Felipe de Jesús is just a small town next to La Antigua Guatemala, which has its own particularities. San Felipe’s church is gothic, its market is cozy, there are many options to have some delicious food… So, why not pay a visit to San Felipe on a Saturday or Sunday? I guess I am … Read more

How about being contagious?

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How do you get people infected with good stuff? I mean, it is difficult for foreigners to visit Guatemala, and, sometimes, that’s even true for Guatemalans living overseas. Taking on a lesson from our friend Iván Castro, we can only do it by getting everyone infected with good stuff. So, here is one of my … Read more

Christmas Carols in Antigua Guatemala

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It was only last week that I told you that often during December or the Christmas season, there are several free concerts around La Antigua Guatemala. La Antigua Guatemala’s cathedral is use as backdrop for concerts and recitals. By looking at the larger version of that day’s photo one can agree at the excellent choice. … Read more

Guatemalan Cuisine: Longanizas

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I will let you guys do the caption for this photo by digging through the archives of AntiguaDailyPhoto. Here are the hints: Churrasco and Convivio. Guatemalan Film Trailers Aside: Once again, we continue showing trailers of Guatemalan films and short films. This is the trailer for Puro mula, the first film by Best Picture System. … Read more

Guatemalan Christmas Colors: Poinsettia Red

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Pascuas (Guatemala) and Flor de Noche Buena (Mexico) are how poinsettias are known in Spanish. Poinsettias are native to Guatemala and Mexico and in general can be found in the wild or in gardens as undocumented aliens. Pascuas are in full bloom in The Land of the Eternal Spring from late October through March. The … Read more