One way to tour La Antigua Guatemala is through the horse-powered carriage rides around town. If you can obviate the buses, the automobiles, the motorcycles, the tuk tuks, in short—all modern vehicles, then you can almost feel like in the 18th century. Now, pull out your digital camera and set it in the sepia mode … Read more
On July 23rd I mentioned that the people of Antigua are known as Panzas Verdes —green bellies—, so it is no surprise that the flag of La Antigua Guatemala is green, as green is their foot ball —soccer— team uniform as well as many schools’ uniforms. Can you guess why are Antigüeños known as Panzas … Read more
Inspired by Pamela’s A Place to Rest, which shows a lovely resting area, I decide to follow up with a resting area in the City Hall building (Municipalidad is what people call city halls here, or la muni for short). This bench is on the second floor of this building —seen from the Parque Central—, … Read more
Earlier this year, on September 30, I showed you the entrance to the San Felipe Church, which is the only gothic church around Antigua Guatemala. This is an exotic tower for this area since must of the façades are colonial Spanish baroque. I will have to dig up the history of the church and post … Read more
Lately blue has come my way. First time it came as blue house with blue doors and a blue sky. Now, it is a blue house again with a blue tuk tuk tourist police unit. I do not know what it is about tuk tuks, but I like them. Can you guess how many times … Read more
This sandwich is called Pirujo and it takes its name from the bread’s name. Pirujos and shucos are the two native sandwiches from Guatemala. Please follow the shuco link to see some of the largest sandwiches around. This pirujo sandwich comes with guacamol(e), lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and beef or chicken, your choice, along with … Read more
Continuing with our milpa crops, here we have the most widely eaten Guatemalan tamal(e), which goes by the name of chuchito (puppy or little dog). Back on my first Guatemalan cuisine series, I brought to you another type of tamal named pache. Then, I said that tamales are probably the oldest food from the American … Read more
Hilachas is the name of the dish based on shredded meat with recado (tomato-based sauce), and cut up potatoes. If you compare yesterday’s lunch, you can see that only the main dish changed (and the drink, because I requested coffee). Once again, you can see the meal is based on at least three crops from … Read more
Frijoles colorados or red beans is the second best dish after black beans, of course, in the Guatemalan kitchen. Here you have frijoles colorados with pork ribs, rice, tortillas, fresh-fruit drink. This is a typical lunch for many Guatemalans with the variation on the main dish which in this case is red beans. Here is … Read more
First of all, my apologies to all those masochist Guatemalans who are abroad and visit this humble blog to get their daily doze of nostalgic pain. Sorry guys and gals! Now unto the photo. This is Pollo Campero fast food version of the Chapin Breakfast or desayuno chapín (Chapin is the self-imposed nickname for Guatemalans). … Read more
The sign reads: Here lived Fray Pedro de San José Betancourt, apostle of charity. Born in Tenerife in March [21], 1626. Died here the 25th of April of 1667. So who was this character who has inspired so many people and that eventually became a Saint? First, here are the entries in Antigua Daily Photo … Read more
No MarieMcc, this is not the façade of my house. This façade belongs to the Capilla de Belén (Bethlehem Chapel) located right across the street from the house that belonged to Santo Hermano Pedro de Betancourt (Saint Brother Peter of Betancourt). More about him and his house tomorrow. It looks like Daily Photo Family is … Read more
Since Nuno set the mood for church photos for this Friday, November 3rd, here I do a follow up photo of yesterday’s bell housing at San Pedro Las Huertas Cathedral. Here is another angle of the same church. Here is a rough and free translation of information I found at EnAntigua.com site about San Pedro … Read more
It just does not seem fair that Nuno gets all the attention with his church photos; sure he captures great images, sure Porto has many gorgeous churches, sure the weather is fabulous there. It is difficult to keep up with image magic that Nuno delivers almost daily, but I know La Antigua Guatemala has plenty … Read more
In November 1st and 2nd Guatemala, like many other catholic countries, celebrates the Day of the Dead (Día de los Difuntos) and the All Saints Day (Día de los Santos). The cemeteries, from the most exclusive to the most modest and humble, become overwhelmed with people bringing flowers, crosses, food and even music (sometimes Mariachi music) to their dead relatives.