We went for coffee this morning and I grabbed a copy of the local newspaper. There is an ongoing investigation into political corruption in Guatemala. There is extensive news coverage and local marches demanding reform. We caught a bit of a political march this weekend here in Antigua although, unfortunately, our Spanish is not good enough to make out the chants or the signs. I can read only a few snippets in the newspaper but the vice-president recently resigned so we know it is a pretty big deal among Guatemalans.
Political march
Landmark arch which is featured in a lot of Antigua art.
This couple is getting their picture drawn. We saw several artists at work today.
After coffee, we pretty much walked around and took maybe 100 pictures. There is so many colors, so much character in each face, so much age in the buildings and, of course, so much for sale. The vendors all know a bit of English and we know a bit of Spanish so it is a mash-up of both. We bought a hammock yesterday from a young lady that dropped her price about five times because we kept telling her our mochilla (backpack) was completely full. After each discount, she said “business is business, right?” The statement had a hint of resignation and hope in it each time.
Yes, I want a painted skull. Or a beaded lizard. I can’t decide.
Gorgeous old architecture covered with pigeons.
We have made friends with Juana who sells crafts in Parque Central. She sat down by us yesterday to admire Lily’s miniature clay tea set. She taught me how to say “very heavy” in Espanol (pesas mucho) because she was carrying a heavy bag full of handicrafts to sell. She competes with a number of sweet faced children who are selling the exact same crafts. I said it must be difficult to have so many children selling crafts. She agreed but said that was life.
This little boy is lending a helping hand to the religious procession walking through town.
Shopping for shoes requires you to actually hunt down two alike.
We are also always on the lookout for more stuff to eat. We had seafood ceviche from an outdoor stand yesterday and bagel sandwiches today followed by snow cones mixed with strawberry preserves and tamarind. Yeah, our stomachs are a little off. We may be a little more sensible as our flights get closer. But not yet.
Sunlight on Lily as we rest up for another round of walking.
Sweet and fruity snowcones.
I am anxious to see which you come home with….. The skull or the lizard!! The shoe shopping picture is crazy… What is up with that?
Ha I actually got sandals for my souvenir. They came already matched up. There is a lot of new stuff but there is also tons of second hand stuff for sale too. I am just not quite sure where to display the skull or the beaded lizard.