This is the top view as seen from the spiral staircase of the washbasins and water tank at Casa Herrera. Although, as we can see from this perspective, the washbasins and water tank are only decoration pieces now since they have electric washer and dryer in the kitchen; as shown in the corner of the … Read more
A couple of years ago, I made the declaration that public washbasins, lavaderos, and water tanks, pilas, are the current social media networks of the villagers around Antigua Guatemala. Well, while talking the ladies in this public washbasin in San Juan del Obispo, I can reiterate that this declaration still holds true. Public laundry washbasins … Read more
As I have mentioned before, it doesn’t matter what day of the week one stops by the public washbasins, lavaderos around Antigua Guatemala, one will always find the ladies doing the laundry either their own or somebody else’s. I have chatted with several of these women and I’ve asked what were some of the reasons … Read more
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
Public laundry washbasins (sometimes river and lake shores) serve as the gathering place for news, gossip and community building through the interactions that take place there. In many places in Guatemala public washbasins could be considered the first news broadcasting sites or rural social media networks, similar to Facebook or Twitter for people with computers … Read more
I have mentioned it a few times, but let me repeat it again. There’s are aesthetic principles which are used and apply to design and architecture to make then look and fit harmoniously and coherently into the Antigua Guatemala enchanting environment. Take this water tank and washbasins for instance, which I am not sure it’s … Read more
It’s nice to see colonial pilas and lavaderos (water tanks + washbasins) being used now as fountains and as decoration. If you want to see a pila as decoration follow the white rabbit to The Venerable Colonial Pila is Now Used as Decoration. If you want to see colonial pila being used as a fountain … Read more
While Arturo was playing with his camera mounted on a tripod to take his signature sunsets, I decided to look in the opposite direction and capture the fleeting light bathing the Tanque de La Unión. Even though it doesn’t seem like it was twilight, I can assure you it was, thus there wasn’t enough light … Read more
Don’t ask me, but how did the venerable utilitarian pila (water tank) and lavadero (washbasin) became decorations elements or design accents? In The Venerable Colonial Pila is Now Used as Decoration I introduced you to the washbasins and water tank inside McCafé in La Antigua Guatemala with the following words: What’s a pila (pee-lah), I … Read more
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
I pass by Tanque de la Unión at least twice a day. Lucky me. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’ve fallen in love with this utilitarian water tank and public washbasins. If you don’t believe me, follow the links to see some of the previous pictures of Tanque de la Unión. Anyhow, … Read more