Sights of Our Times: Masks, Gloves, Soap and Sanitizing Gel Everywhere

Sights of Our Times: Masks, Gloves, Soap and Sanitizing Gel Everywhere

Even though I have focus mostly on the face masks or face coverings, there are other things that we find everywhere, from the sanitizing gel at the entrance of every business, government building and offices to gloves being used in many places from supermarkets to restaurants. Even the shoe shiners are wearing gloves these days. … Read more

Sights of Our Times: An Uneventful Día de Santiago in Antigua Guatemala

Sights of Our Times: An Uneventful Día de Santiago in Antigua Guatemala

July 25th is the Day of Saint James, Día de Santiago, the patron saint of Antigua Guatemala, formerly known as Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala. Of course, under “normal” circumstances, there are dozen of events all of the city of Antigua Guatemala from school parades, to procession, from food festivals to musical recitals and … Read more

Sights of Our Times — Fresh Produce Directly from the Farm

PHOTO STOCK: Fresh Produce Directly from the Farm

As I mentioned before, Guatemalans are resilient. People are doing everything to survive and put food on the table. And that’s how a popular restaurant spawned an online convenience store, or tiendita as we say in Guatemala. Of course, if La Tiendita Antigüeña can offer freshly harvested produce, that’s even better; don’t you agree?

Sights of Our Times — Doing Laundry at the Public Washbasins

PHOTO STOCK: woman doing laundry at a public washbasins in the village of San Pedro Las Huerta, Antigua Guatemala.

Even the most mundane activities of our lives have been affected by the pandemic Covid-19, as you can see in this photograph of woman doing laundry at a public washbasins in the village of San Pedro Las Huerta, Antigua Guatemala. How are public laundromat in your city affected by this pandemic?

Sights of Our Times — Mayan Fabric Masks

PHOTO STOCKS: Mayan women wearing face masks

Guatemala is world-famous for their colorful and intricate, hand-woven textiles, so it comes as no surprise that masks were with these Mayan textiles almost as soon as face coverings were mandatory. See the face mask worn by the girl in the back. Honestly, I can’t believe I haven’t shared these gorgeous and unique face masks … Read more

Sights of Our Times — Masked girls carrying water jars home

PHOTO STOCK: Masked girls carrying water jars home

Pandemic or not, life moves on and things that are necessary at home must still be procured, such food, medicine and water in the case of these girls. They walk fast with jars on their heads to carry as much water home before the curfew. Perhaps they can do one or two more short trips … Read more

Sights of Our Times — Queue at The Veggie Stand

PHOTO STOCK: Queue at Veggie Stand in a village of Antigua Guatemala

Queues are part of this new normality. Keeping a healthy physical distance, 1.5 meter at a least, is part of our new reality. Many businesses even mark the proper distance either on the floor or on their walls. Small businesses market booths and convenience store, tienditas, don’t do distance marks, but people know to keep … Read more

Sights of Our Times — Pruning and weeding with a face mask

PHOTO STOCK: Man prunes the weed growing wild outside his home

As I mentioned yesterday, through Pandemic Photo Project I am sharing images of the new normality for Guatemalans even though we have not yet arrived to this phase of the pandemic. Nevertheless, we are getting on with our lives the best we can. How are you getting on with life in your neck of the … Read more

Sights of Our Times — Walking the Dogs

PHOTO STOCK: Masked couple walking their dogs in Antigua Guatemala

Through the Pandemic Photo Project I have been sharing sights of how the new normality will look like for the short-term and medium-term future. Face masks, physical distancing, constant hand sanitation will be part of this new normality, at least until an effective vaccine or treatment is found for Covid-19. What does the new normality … Read more

Sights of Our Times — Smiles Behind Masks

PHOTO STOCK: Mayan women smiling after buying meds at the pharmacy.

A chance encounter at the pharmacy provided the opportunity to capture the portraits of these three Mayan women. One of them said to me, “We are Guatemalan women and it is too bad you can’t see our smiles behind our masks.” Of course, the masks can not hide the good vibes and smiles that were … Read more

Sights of Our Times — Hot Tourist Spots Sans Visitors

STOCK PHOTO: Hot Tourist Spots Sans Visitors

Finally we have a gradual re-opening date for Guatemala: July 27. The re-opening will be gradual and by municipalities [counties] using a traffic light system that goes from red to orange to yellow to green. Those municipal districts with a red light, 25 or more active infections for every 100,000 people, will be under strict … Read more

Sights of Our Times — Wear Masks Outdoors

PHOTO STOCK: Motorcycle rider wearing a face mask in the back roads of Latin America

Guatemalans are wearing masks in all public spaces, indoors and outdoors, even as in trails in nature, such as seen here where one of the trails from Volcán de Agua meets the cobblestoned streets of Antigua Guatemala. To be fair and honest though, I believe the high rate of compliance of mask wearing has more … Read more