First rule for 2021…
… We don’t talk about ####. I am hopeful for 2021 and I believe the world will be a better place, poco a poco, slowly but surely. What are your thoughts about this brand new year?
city hall
Guatemala’s Independence Flags at Palacio del Ayuntamiento
Guatemala’s Independence is celebrated through the entire month of September even though the official date falls on the 15th. Independence bunting is often found in doorways, windows, balconies, etc. The Palacio del Ayuntamiento, [City Hall Palace] in the Main Plaza is a popular spot for placing Guatemalan flags in the hand rails of the second … Read more
Sights of Our Times: Santiago Banners at Antigua’s City Hall
Here’s your illustrated Guatemalan Spanish word of the day: Ayuntamiento for City Hall. Since this year the city of Antigua Guatemala could not celebrate it’s patron saint festivities on July 25th, which is Día de Santiago, or Saint James Day, they hanged these huge Santiago banners from the Palacio del Ayuntamiento [City Hall Palace]. By … Read more
Independence Decorations at Palacio Municipal of Antigua Guatemala
As I mentioned earlier, Independence is celebrated through the entire month of September in Guatemala. These are the last few days when we will be able to see flags as part of decoration of government and private buildings. It’s time to move on to October and Día de la Raza, Día de la Revolución and … Read more
Saint James Festivities in Antigua Guatemala
July 25 is La Antigua Guatemala Patron’s Day; otherwise known as the fair day of Saint James. Why is Saint James the patron saint of La Antigua Guatemala? La Antigua Guatemala used to be the capital city of Guatemala (Central America to be precise) and at the time its name was La Muy Noble y … Read more
The Mayor’s Seat
A few days ago several members of Club Fotográfico de Antigua (Antigua’s Photo Club) and I went to the Municipalidad (City Hall) to request support for our photo club. I was surprised that within 10 minutes from arriving at the Muni we were already talking to the Mayor himself. Furthermore, I was astonished that he … Read more
The Mayor’s Office at City Hall
For those who have never visited the Mayor’s office at City Hall, this is what it looks like. It may also come as a surprise that for most Guatemalans, City Halls are the only place where they can exercise Realpolitik. Anything else above the municipal level is mostly vaporware. 🙁 What’s the highest level in … Read more
Independence Day: Patriotic Fire Marathon
So, what kind activities are done in Guatemala to celebrate Independence Day? Most people in Guatemala often say that Guatemalans are not very “patriotic” and immediately mention how patriotic the Mexicans really are: “that’s really patriotism!” Having said that, you can begin to see the first glances of Independence Day activities back in July, or … Read more
Guatemala’s Independence Day Marathons
On September 14 10, people from all over the country begin a marathon to go to another part of the country to get the fire for the Independence Torch in their communities. There are many places the have a torch where other people from other towns can light up their torch to bring back to … Read more
Guatemala’s Independence Day Torch
Getting everything ready for Independence Day Celebrations. This torch will light the Independence fire torches from all over Guatemala. These Independence torches will be carried in marathons so that Fire of Independence arrives to all the corners of Guatemala on time before September 15.
Saint James Day Celebrations In Antigua
If you have been following La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo (LAGDP) for at least a year, you would know that the patron’s day celebrations fall on 25th of July for La Antigua Guatemala, also known as Santiago de Guatemala (Saint James of Guatemala), short for its original name La Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad … Read more