Home » Guatemala » Into Guatemala 1989 [Part 10 of 11 Parts]

Days 17-19 Spring Hotel
<br>
Day 20 Antigua

Into Guatemala 1989 [Part 10 of 11 Parts]

Jo
2004-03-05 23:11:14

Displayed times (last time: )

cholesterol-rich meal (when I had already gotten used to beans and tortillas) soon made me pretty sick. I had to miss the tour of the discotheques, and was in bed by 9 PM.

Day 20 June 11

Antigua

[Photos 6 and 7]

"Don't miss Antigua," Roberto reminded us before he left. Madjid and I were experts in doing things at the last minute; we put off our visit until the day before our departure.

Antigua, the capital of Guatemala until 1773, is located only about an hour's ride by bus from Guatemala City. A terrible earthquake destroyed it, essentially turning it into the tourist center it is today. The city was never satisfactorily rebuilt. Indeed, current laws ensure the survival and purity of its antique architecture. The ruined churches and houses, the nearby mountains and volcanoes (Agua and Fuego their pagan, elemental names) blend with stylish cafés and restaurants to attract tourists from around the world.

[Photo 8]

=====================

[Photo 9]

Apparently, it was the feast of Corpus Christi, and celebrations were well under way. Lively music filled the air as devotees paraded with wooden likenesses of their favorite saints. (Above, Madjid runs into a small procession.)

The sun was strong, yet the air felt cool and crisp under the shade. It was the sort of day that imprints itself indelibly into one's mind. Today, more than a decade after our visit, I can still remember this scene and its music with great clarity.

[Photo 10]

=====================

[Photo 11]

Browsing Antigua's many charms, we strolled away a lazy afternoon along cobblestone streets. It took an hour of meandering just to decide where to have a late lunch, but the quaint outdoor café we finally chose (set in an almost ruinous and elegant inner courtyard) had a character all its own, and did not disappoint.

At Antigua Park, an enchanting fountain greeted our eyes. Places such as this must have rekindled many lingering memories of the Old World in the minds of the Spaniards who founded the city.

[Photo 12]