Album 6 - Antiqua, Guatemala

December 20-24, 2005  -  Despite our best intentions, we were left with a mere 3 full days to enjoy Antigua.  We had hoped to enroll in a week long language course and visit nearby Lake Atitlán.  This was our first time with a flexible schedule which was not as flexible as we thought when we found ourselves just a few days from our commitment to fly to Mexico on the 24th to meet friends for the holidays. We will have to come back, hopefully sooner than later.
1

Our first stay in Antigua was at Hotel San Jorge which had a lovely jardin with fountain where breakfast was served and Peg enjoyed her first Spanish language lesson.
2

An early morning walk encounters this handsome ruins of old church San José El Viejo.  We learned there were many such edifices throughout the city which suffered much earthquake damage years ago.
3

This shop is typical of several throughout the colorful, artisan-friendly city.
4

The main square and its requisite governmental building along one side.
5

This one's for you, Cyndi.  It shows the still-current utilization of horses in transportation.
6

Peg before the landmark, Arco de Santa Catalina, in which Antiguans take pride in the fact that it was one of the few structures to survive the 1773 earthquake.
7

This little guy was one of a large troop of shoe shine fellows.  If you think this has an Oliver Twist to it, it just might, but Keith's shoes were shiner nonetheless.
8

Keith enjoys a relaxing coffee break after a day of exploring the town streets.
9

Yet another example of this clever marketing concept of combining a laundromat with a cybercafé.  
10

Keith's patient and tolerant language teacher after her first 3 hours with Keith as a student.  
11

The courtyard at our second hotel, Hotel Posada San Vicente.  This colorful hotel was a busy & popular place.
12

We took this picture to show the typical and colorful pastel shades of the streets of Antigua.
13

It's universal!! Kids all over the world enjoy electronic games.
14

The sky is showing promise of a nice sunset.  We go up to the rooftop of our hotel to watch.
15

We are not disappointed. It is spectacular and we see the volcano sans its normal cloud cover.
16

The morning sunrise from the same vantage point is equally pleasing and exciting.
17

The city tuk-tuks take early morning commuters to their appointed destinations.
18

At the Museo del Tejido, where textile crafts & regional costumes are displayed, we encounter this visitor being fitted in a traditional costume by local ladies.
19

Templo y Convento de Reccoleccion at the end of this flower covered wall. Many structures still show the wreckage of the earthquakes so prevalent in the area.
20

The fruit and vegetable market near the bus station shows local women in their traditional dress.
21

The famous "chicken busses" line up for departures to all points of the compass.  We needed the one for Dueñas.
22

The bus drops us at the Valhalla Macadamia Nut Experimental Station.  This is an entirely organic operation.
23

We are given a brief but detailed tour by the guide who spoke English very well and was knowledgeable. 
24

The hulling mechanism was efficient and technologically appropriate.  We also enjoyed a pleasant lunch of Macadamia flour pancakes. 
25

What we call the "night market" in the daytime near the bus station at the west edge of town.
26

A reminder of Christmas time approaching (it was Dec. 23rd) were these dramatic poinsettias for sale.
27

A parting glance at the altogether lovely city/town of Antigua, Guatemala.  We fully intent to return.

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