My Pictures from Guatemala

I'm home in Rochester, where winter is winding down. If you're tired of winter, or just need a look at some exotic color, take a look at my photos from Antigua, Chichicatenango, Panajachel and Tikal!

Tikal Guatemala

The ancient Mayan city of Tikal was rediscovered in the mid 1800s. In the century and a half that has followed, the temples and other buildings of this complex of ruins have slowly been uncovered to reveal a fascinating and mysterious society that helped to shape our modern calendar.

Walking through the ruins and learning about the complexities of this ancient civilization reminds me of the final episodes of the new Battlestar Galactica (yes, I am a nerd), that explored the origins of humanity and our history of destroying and recreating ourselves according to the plan of God.

The first thing I want to do when I get home is watch the movie “2012,” and then I want to sleep for a week.

Guatemala is a beautiful, fascinating country, filled with mystery and spirituality. I guarantee a visit to Guate will change you in ways you can’t imagine!

Market Day in Chichicatenango

Indigenous culture meets modern technology in the Highlands of Guatemala.

High in the mountains, and sometimes isolated from the rest of Guatemala, Chichicastenango is home to one of the most famous markets in Central America. Its residents are also famous for their adherence to Mayan beliefs and culture, and the ceremonies are often intertwined with contemporary Christian practices.

For decades, villagers have walked many miles to sell their wares at the weekly markets. On Sundays and Thursdays, they spread their crafts, food and other merchandise in the central plaza and sell to residents and tourists from dawn until about 3:00 p.m.

The abundance of traditional textiles, ceramics and other tipica often make time seem to stand still in Chichi on market days. However, modern technology, such as young girls talking on cell phones, remind us that it is, in fact, 2010!

Volcanic Beauty

Lago de Atitlan was formed 85,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption that created a huge crater that filled with water. A number of smaller volcanoes roese out of the lake waters, and now Lago de Atitlan is surrounded by volcanoes that occasionally rumble and spew ash. Here is a panoramic shot of three of the volcanoes as seen from my balcony at Hotel Atitlan.

Paradise just outside of Panajachel

Lago de Atitlan, in the Guatemalan Highlands, is a dramatically beautiful place. The lake is surrounded by volcanoes and small Mayan villages filled with traditional culture. The town of Panajachel is a bustling market town, full of merchants and tourists buying and selling tipica, traditional Mayan crafts. There is always a frenzy of activity in Pana, so the town itself can be very tiring,

Just outside of Pana is the gorgeous Hotel Atitlan, with lush gardens and n aviary filled with tropical birds. It’s a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of the market. And it’s the perfect place to enjoy a late afternoon trago of Flor de Caña rum with friends!

Tuctuc Ride in Antigua

Tuctucs, the motorcycle powered rickshaws, arevery common in Guatemala. In Antigua and other colonial cities with old cobblestone streets, the tuctuc ride can be very much like a full body dry heave. Check it out:

It gets you where you need to be!

Sunday in Antigua

Today in Antigua, Lenten observances continued with a procession through the streets, during which men and boys dressed in purple robes carry the cross. Figurines of the processors, called cucarachas, are sold in the markets and stores to mark the season, much like the figurines of the holy family, shepherds and wise men that are sold at Christmas. The procession entered Antigua about 11:00 a.m. and spent the entire day walking the streets, arriving in the Parque Central about 7:30 p.m.

While waiting for the procession, we watched a Mayan Celebration of the Four Points in the Parque Central with a marimba band, ribbons, flowers and dancing. Four points celebrates the Mayan union of the cross of Jesus Christ with the four points of Mayan life - sun, moon, earth and people.

The procession arrived in a cloud if incense, with hundreds of people following the Andaria with Christ carrying the cross. The processions will continue every Sunday though Lent, and then daily during Semana Santa or Holy Week. It’s a privilege to witness this beautiful tradition.

¡Hola de Guatemala!

After digging my way out of the northeast snowstorm, and wrangling with the airlines over cancelled flights, I’m finally in Guatemala. Susan Leffler and I are sitting on our balcony of the Hotel Casa de las Fuentes, enjoying tragos of Flor de Cañ a rum and watching the sun set over Antigua Guatemala.

The hotel is beautiful, just a few blocks from the main square of downtown Antigua, owned by a lovely woman named Estella, who has been hosting us in Antigua since I first visited here in the early 90s. The rooms have gorgeous tile floors, large windows and - just recently - television sets! Hotel Casa de las Fuentes (House of the Fountains) is built around several gardens full of tropical plants and birds. Unfortunately the fountain is not running.

After getting settled, we spent a little time in the Parque Central (main square) shopping and people-watching. It’s very interesting to see the local observations of the season of Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. Balconies of public buildings are draped with purple cloth, and many establishment display a Lenten Cuarisma, similar to the way that American establishments display manger scenes at Christmas.

We hope to meet up with an American friend who lives here in Antigua for dinner a bit later this evening, and tomorrow will be a quiet day in town shopping, eating and people watching. Hasta mañana!

Winter Vacation 2010

This year I’m staying a little closer to home (than Australia) for my annual winter pilgrimage to warmer climes. My friend Susan and I are traveling to Guatemala for some R&R. Actually, thanks to the winter storm that hit the northeast last night and this morning, Susan is in Guatemala and I’m still traveling.

I was awakened in the middle of the night by a text message letting me know that my flight had been cancelled. I spent the next three hours wrangling with Delta Airlines to get the flights rebooked. They just couldn’t seem to understand why I didn’t want to wait a week to fly to Guatemala City. But I was able book a flight that is only 12 hours later than my original departure.

I had to do some digging out, particularly after the city plows created a mountain in front of my driveway. But I’m finally at the airport, watching the snow continue to fall, waiting to board a flight that still registers as “on time.” Maybe I will actually be in Guate by tomorrow!