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The Guatemalan Economy Index Measured by The Fireworks Burning

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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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Every day is laundry day at los lavaderos

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It doesn’t matter what day of the week you stop by the public washbasins, lavaderos, you will always find the ladies doing the laundry. In the past I have talked to several of the women doing the laundry and I asked what were some of the reasons for utilizing the public washbasins even though most … Read more

Guatemala Is A Pyromaniac’s Hell

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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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Palo de Izote Reflected

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Palo de Izote is the Mesoamerican cousin of the Joshua or Yucca tree. I have a fascination with the Izote tree; I don’t know why, maybe its many branches that look like arms and hands. Anyhow, I like it and it’s used often in the hedgerows around Antigua Guatemala. Its white flowers are edible and … Read more

Typical Guatemalan Fireworks Stand

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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