The whimsical, timeless allure of La Antigua’s colonial architecture, peacefully protected ruins and cobbled streets is a common theme of which I’ll never tire. This door, this “portal to an ancient world” fills my imagination. I envision erect Don’s and Doña’s of years past, prevailing over a newly established colony under the looming shadows of … Read more
Michele Woodey already so eloquently described the emotions La Antigua’s ruins evoke. In her Antigua Abstracted #3 post she wrote: “These are places where episodes of history become entangled with our dreams- where stories and fables are as intricately woven together as the creeping vegetation that threatens to overwhelm the architecture itself.” Yet, the very people … Read more
Oh February, what a magnificent month to visit La Antigua Guatemala. First, you get to enjoy the Día del Cariño y Amistad celebrations; heck if you’re lucky you may come across a house plastered with I LOVE YOU post-it notes on Valentine’s Day. You can buy cascarones (colorful egg shells filled with confetti) to celebrate … Read more
Many Guatemalan families take advantage of the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere surrounding the church, convent and monastery ruins around La Antigua Guatemala to spend some quality time with the family. The best things in life are free or nearly free as Claudia said it, “… simple times, simple pleasures, family, friends, nature… ” feel her … Read more
Very little remains from the Hospital Real de Santiago, also known as Hospital San Juan de Dios because it was under the administration of the San Juan de Dios brotherhood. This hospital was the sixth house built in Santiago de Guatemala, now La Antigua Guatemala. The Hospital Real de Santiago was built by Bishop Francisco … Read more
A couple times, I have talked about attending inaugurations of art exhibits, concerts and recitals, but I do not think I have shown you what it feels like to actually be there. Today’s photo was taken at the Inauguration of Los Desaparecidos Exhibit in La Antigua Guatemala. This weekend is marked by two full days … Read more
We continue our Guateflora series with the omnipresent coffee bush or tree, which has manage to leave the coffee plantation to become a hedge. The coffee bush is one the most often seen plants around La Antigua Guatemala, but not often I’ve seen it used as hedge. The above photograph was taken at the Compañía de Jesús building, with the ruins in the background.
In the photo above, you can see the San Agustín ruins in the foreground, the Moon in the background and Venus between the two. Today’s night photo is to follow up my entry of Dramatic Illumination of Ruins and Historic Buildings with a better example. Back in June 3rd, I mentioned that many ruins and historic buildings in La Antigua Guatemala get a light bath a key places with spot light as to emphasize and to add drama to building that might not look impressive during the day. You now can see what a big difference a tripod can make when taking photos at night.
Around Antigua Guatemala you’ll never know what may find if you take a side road or dirt road. For instance, today while taking a shortcut dirt road between El Calvario and San Cristobal El Bajo, I found this church ruins at the cross roads in the middle of some coffee plantations. Now I have some … Read more