Even though the government has been providing freely face coverings ever since it was instituted that face masks were mandatory and those who refused to wear them can be fined, a large fine I may add, Q7000 to Q150,000 [US$925 – $20,000]; Guatemalans didn’t wait to get a free mask, they bought masks according to … Read more
Farmers often turn a wheelbarrow into a fresh produce stand minutes later after harvesting the vegetables and fruits from their plots, as it was the case with these radishes, a common crop around Antigua Guatemala. What makes this sight unique to our times is their face coverings; don’t you agree?
In Guatemala even farmers wear a face mask whenever they are outdoors and in public spaces. They may not use a face covering when they are in their fields and plots, but they cover their face as soon as they are back on the streets.
Since mid June automobiles and trucks can only circulate every other day if the license plate number is even or odd and matches whether the date is pair or impair. Motorcycles and bicycles are not affected by this reduced mobility; thus these two and three-wheeled vehicles have become the preferred means of transportation during the … Read more
Ever since face masks became obligatory in public spaces in Guatemala back in March, people have complied nearly 99.99% of the time. So, it seems odd for people in Guatemala to read or watch news of people fighting its usage in other parts of the world. Honestly, unless a vaccine is developed in the next … Read more
We continue with another installment of the Pandemic Photo Project from Antigua Guatemala with a candid shot of the coconut vendor catching up with the latest news while waiting for potential clients to walk by.
Not everyone waving a white flag is asking for food or economic assistance to feed their family. Some people waving a white flag are simply asking for the opportunity to work and earn a day’s wage to feed their family. Read yesterday’s post to understand why there are people waving white flags in the streets … Read more
Guatemala came to standstill on March 16, 2020 and with a single declaration of state of calamity and lockdown a large number of the population lost their way to earn an income. Only essential jobs were allowed to continue. The government of Guatemala started providing economic assistance at the end of May and first week … Read more
As I said yesterday, Guatemalans are resilient. Motorcycles and bicycles have turned into the preferred vehicles for all home deliveries. Of course, just about anything can be delivered to your door nowadays, from freshly harvested veggies from the organic farm to medicine from the pharmacy to even craft beers. Whatever you need, there’s a delivery … Read more
With so many people who have lost their jobs or their main source of income, pop-up stands are showing up everywhere to sell anything and everything. People are doing everything to survive and put food on the table. And that’s how a car wash turns into a raw chicken shop or butchery.
Honestly, I wonder how many people are still buying lottery tickets. Covid-19 has proven to be a formidable virus, turning the world upside down. Almost no industry has been spared. Just today I was reading an interview with one of the AirBNB executives who said that it took them over 12 years to build a … Read more
Just like many ambulant vendors, shoe shiners must find a way to generate some income to put food on the table during this trying times. Since mid March when the central government forbade non-essential activities, leaving a large percentage of the population, including myself, without means to earn an income. That’s over 100 days, many … Read more
Back in May 2006 I set out to share with y’all images of daily life from Antigua Guatemala and its surroundings even though most website focused on the city were touristic sites. Of course, the photographs were much different than what was available online at time or even today. 14 years later, I am still … Read more
Welcome to the new normality in Antigua Guatemala. Restaurants can only serve to go or delivery; thus their gorgeous dining areas remained closed. Interesting enough, I made a fisheye view of the dining area on March 16, 2020, the last day restaurants were allowed to serve customers at the tables. Take a look at the … Read more
Not everything is bad about the Cover-19 pandemic. Farmer’s Markets and local fruit and veggie stands are popping up everywhere. For instance, where we live, now we have a community farmer’s market three times a week where the farmers who live in town and grow their crops in and around the community are now able … Read more