Well as promised, I would share with you my experience and photos taken in Antigua, Guatemala.
Antigua is a Spanish colonial town in Guatemala. Very picturesque with old culture still very present. Walking on the street you notice carved large doors along and long walls with few if any windows. Not much to look at. However, opening the door finds you in another world of beautiful gardens, homes, hotels or businesses. There are also a few building that were destroyed from many earthquakes in the past that have yet to be restored. There are a number of volcanic mountains also in the area that has caused suffering in the past. All and all, the people here are very happy and go about their day like most do in the world. There are a few police with big guns in some areas but not to the same degree as what you see in San Salvador.
So let's move on. I took these photos as evidense that I was in Hondorus and Guatemala. Some degree of trust is needed although since I could have had someone else take these photos, so you will have to trust me. :)
This is the center garden in the hotel where we stayed in Antigua. As I wrote earlier, the front entrance is a carved door that one might think is an entrance to a warehouse.
These two photos are taken of the near-by square. As always in all cities down here, the city square is where most activity occurs, especially in the early evenings. Also the main church is at the end of the square. It was raining when we arrived but lasted for only a few minutes. The altitude here is arount 2000 feet so the air smelt fresh and cool after the rain. A very pleasant feeling from spending time at sea level in the heat.
This one of the building damages during a recent earthquake. All of the government offices that were inside are closed while the building awaits to be rebuilt.
Folks walking up the street off to do what ever they were doing. The dress here is very conservative in young as well as older people. You don't see tight pants and low-cut tops with high heels as you find in Mexico.
Here flowers are being delivered to a church as they prepare for a wedding. The bride and groom were taken away in a horse drawn carriage with the driver, horse and wagon all decorated. Sorry but we didn't get any photos of them.
Native dancers at the restaurant where we ate.
This is the church at the end of the town square. Two thirds of the church was destroyed in an earthquake.
These are some of the gardens areas that we passed along the street. Again, these we were all hidden behind a door and stone walls.
These next two photos are of a wash basin where women come down from the hills to wash their cloth. As you can see they are not Maytag washers but rather stone basins where they wash cloths as they have for centuries. Now on the count of three, see if you can say after looking at these photos "I hate washing cloths"
Photos of the local market.
On her way to the market.
One of the three volcanic mountains that surround the city.
I hope this gives you a little glimpse into the lives and customs of the people down here. The three day tour was enough for all of us. We were ready to go back to our boats to relax and get rest. I plan to take more tours of the countries down here and possibly to Cuba. The tour guide is trying to put together a tour. Many of us will jump at the opportunity if it doesn't cost too much.
That is all for now. Don't expect any blog updates for awhile. So in the mean time, email me at dennisgade@gmail.com and let me know what you are all up to. I know you all have busy lives but not that busy to write an old friend.
Until later, be safe out there.
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