Magical and Mystical Moments in Guatemala

February 27, 2016

Magical and Mystical Moments in Guatemala

    … And Some Strange Stuff, Too

Cobblestones and Flowers.  Typical Antigua.

We’ve been home from Antigua for 2 weeks and I keep returning.  My return isn’t working on the Spanish language, like it should be, but rather the images and memories of this fascinating place.  The day to day life is so different from mine and some of the weirdest things made an impression on me. With that in mind, the following are some of my ‘short-shots’ and a few images to go along with them. 

Whatever you do, DON’T put toilet paper into the toilet.  Ever.  At the start, it’s hard to remember.  The plumbing is ancient.  Paper clogs things up.  Actually, the toilet can get clogged on just the morning ritual sit.  While signs are not at every toilet, most public establishments that have toilets post the signs…as a friendly reminder.  The consequences of not following the rules can be pretty messy.

Owning an electric coffee bean grinder is truly a blessing.  Mayan women grind the coffee every morning.  They roast it too.  And yes, they also harvest it. 

Time to straighten up my posture. 

The Mayan women carry everything on their heads.  Jugs of water, huge baskets of produce to sell at market, stack of weaving and an assortment of other things.  Every time I saw one of these amazing women, I straightened my posture. 

Market day is every day at the tienda.  I failed to capture any photos of the huge tienda, with everything from fresh produce to meat, aspirin to knives, notebooks to toilet plungers, used clothing and household goods to power tools.  There must have been 300 different vendors selling in this maze of narrow passages, with people haggling, visiting and just wandering.  This IS where the people shop. 

There are other markets that are set up for weekends, or other specific days.  We hit the main Sunday market in Antigua, on 5a Avenida Norte (also called Avenida de Arc), as well as a market in Panajachel.  

 

The colors are breath taking, the goods being sold are remarkable, music is everywhere and the people are beautiful.

These guys flooded the street with music and happiness.  If there is one attribute I must assign to the people of Antigua, it is happiness.  There is laughter everywhere.

John and I made dinner one evening for our family and the students staying there.  We wanted to make some kalua pork, to give everyone a flavor of Hawaii but alas, liquid smoke was not to be had in Antigua.  We settled on shrimp and pasta.  We went to the tienda for most of our ingredients and took a new student from China with us.  Yami didn’t quite understand the traffic in Antigua and we kept pulling her onto the sidewalk so she wouldn’t be run over.  

With John, my faithful prep chef, we cranked out enough food for everyone.  I must mention, however, that I am completely spoiled by my kitchen, my appliances and tools. 

The students in our family home during our dinner.  At the table we have China, England, US and Sweden represented.  And, of course, Chiki, our Guatemalan Mom.  

Pedestrian beware.  The chicken buses and the tuk-tuks drive with wild abandon.  As we were standing in front of our family’s home one Saturday morning, I snapped a picture of a typical driving action.  

It’s a two lane, cobblestone road and the chicken bus is roaring past a car.  The buses are incredibly colorful and serve a vital purpose but wow…stay out of their way.  If you are riding on one, be prepared to get off in a hurry, as they stop for only a moment.  And your exit may be the back door!

Signs are posted everywhere and it’s good to know some Spanish.  This one, in a restroom in Panajachel, is asking folks to not lean on the sink.  It’s a pretty good chance that the sink might not stay on the wall. 

In San Pedro, we were a bit baffled about a rooster being with the statue of St. Peter, until we had an ‘ah-HA’ moment.  It’s the cock crowing three times that El Señor (Jesus) warned Peter about. 

Antigua is a reasonably safe city.  I always felt comfortable going to market or being on the street alone.  The reason for this is simple.  There are armed guards everywhere.  I mean EVERYWHERE.  In the markets, stores, banks, on the street.  There were two guards with the ice delivery truck.  Initially, I was a bit leery of so many guards with guns, but after a while, I just got used to it.  Kind of. But seriously...I didn't want to be seen taking a photo of them.

La Merced, in the center of Antigua, is the only one of many building that survived a huge earthquake in 1773.  At the time of the earthquake, Antigua was the capital of Guatemala.  Since the city lives on a fault line and earthquakes were frequent, the capital was moved to Guatemala City.  

We attended mass at La Merced and enjoyed the food vendors that who occupy the church square after mass. 

In the same vein as earthquakes, Antigua is home to a very active volcano, Volcan Fuego.  The city is flanked on the south by this and two other volcanoes, making for some beautiful views.  Volcan Fuego is typically active every week.  When we arrived, she was spewing steam and ash.  When we left, she was in a full blown eruption. 

Our hosts, Oskar and Chiki.  This picture shows very serious people, but really, they are a loving and laughing couple. 

And finally, a goodbye to our bathroom.  A very good goodbye to my green towel. We had our own bathroom, which is a luxury.  But that green towel never stopped shedding green lint on me after my short showers.  

After three weeks, our Spanish language skills improved.  We met people from all over the world in our home and at school.  We experienced a culture completely different from our own.  And our passion for travel and meeting people from countries other than our own, continues to be fueled.

Thank you, dear readers, once again, for tolerating my need to write and share my experiences.  It is through these musings that I gain a better understanding of my travels and what I have learned.  Until the next time we hit the road, in about seven weeks, take care, peace and God bless.