Back in April the Guatemalan government, following the lead taken by Colombia and Venezuela some years ago, issued the Ley de Transito-Motocicletas decreto 105-2009 (PDF file) which, simply stated, stipulates one person per motorbike. At the time 6 out of every 10 murders in Guatemala were reportedly being carried out by gunmen on two wheels. … Read more
Market day in La Antigua Guatemala is much more than just getting your weekly produce or enjoying a photo moment of local Guatemalan life. To me it’s a sneak peak into the hard lives of the market workers and their families. The markets of Guatemala are full of little kids that have to spend their … Read more
Not a farol left over from last year’s posadas. Nor indeed a house of ill repute, except perhaps with regards to the quality of Guatemalan grub to be purchased there. For whatever a doorway in a narrow, dark alley illuminated by little red lantern might mean back where you come from, here it means ‘come … Read more
I can remember everything about this Antigua moment except exactly where it is. All the recent discussion about water reminded me of this place. We had been following Holy Week Processions, walking for hours or pressed into dense crowds standing under the mid-day sun inhaling dust from parched roads and the time worn pavements. Our … Read more
Luscious rivers of colour, in every hue imaginable pour through La Antigua over Holy week. Ultramarine, cobalt blue, lime yellow, day-glow orange, deep rich purples, and blood reds, all in myriad shades flow into endless combinations over the cobblestone canvas of the street.
I wonder if the lookout point has been dubbed “make-out point.” This couple is certainly enjoying the ambience of the hilltop vista. Can’t say I blame them…
The total amount of time I’ve spent within La Antigua Guatemala so far isn’t much, just several months. But, from what I can tell, it’s not too common to spot masked men cruising around on big, shiny choppers in the old, Spanish-styled colonial city.
I can’t count the number of times my mother chastised me for slouching throughout my childhood. A few times she even succeeded in convincing me to practice walking with a book on my head so that I might “improve my posture.”
During these last few days I’ve spied two different mimes performing on the Calle del Arco. The only way I can really tell the difference between the painted faces is the height of the two characters: one is tall and the other is quite short. Both seem to be a hit with onlookers: adults and … Read more
This little girl, who looks to be no more than five-years-old, is calmly sitting by herself watching the daily activity and buzz on the cobbled street before her.