The Guatemalan Economy Index Measured by The Fireworks Burning

Rudy Giron: AntiguaDailyPhoto.com &emdash; Christmas Eve is for the fireworks lovers

Since Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are the perfect night for fireworks and firecrackers lovers with colourful and loud explosions going off all night long, especially so around midnight. One could measure the state of the Guatemalan economy by amount for pólvora, fireworks powder, burnt on these nights. The overall feeling this year is that the cohetiza, burning of firecrackers and fireworks, was minimal when compare to previous years. Some people also mentioned coffee harvesting is down as well.

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Guatemala Is A Pyromaniac’s Hell

Guatemalan Fireworks Booth

Guatemala’s a pyromaniac hell or paradise, what is it?

I remember reading earlier this year a tweet from Xeni Jardin, one of BoingBoing’s editors, that she was not impressed with the 4th of July fireworks display in unknown city in the U.S. because after having witnessed the non-stop burning of firecrackers, fireworks and every piece of a pyromaniac’s fetish in Central America she was spoiled.

I say that you have live it to believe Xeni’s declaration. In the meantime, I share with you two video clips of the fireworks burnt in one section of Guatemala. Remember, to get an idea of the magnitude of the burning of the fireworks, you have to multiply by 360° in every street of every colonia, village, town and city in Guatemala. So, if you decide to witness the burning of firecrackers and fireworks in Guatemala, make sure you bring earplugs; these are not included. 😉

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Typical Guatemalan Fireworks Stand

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

Everyone Burns Firecrackers in Guatemala for Christmas

Christmas Day is a very quiet and easy-going day in Guatemala. But, it does not begins like that. On the contrary, right at midnight and for what seems like forever, Guatemalans burn firecrackers, fire whistlers, fireworks and every kind of pyrotechnic stuff; the list is long. This pyromaniac act repeats again at noon and at … Read more