Saturday 25 June 2011

Antigua - Guatemala

The Santa Catalina arch

Antigua
Our guide book describes Antigua as a city lacking of the 'genuine Guatemalan' feel but well worth a visit. On first arriving into the city it appears to be a very attractive old colonial town surrounded by three lush green volcanoes and with a pleasant main plaza. However it doesn't take long before you see gingos everywhere closely followed by beggars and merchants trying to sell their fabrics and jewellery. On every street there seems to be several travel agencies and restuarants geared up for the tourist infux. Of course there is nothing wrong with this but it isn't easy to find the genuine Mayan culture, especially in only a few days.

We spent a couple of days here but it was enough time to explore the lovely cobble stone streets and churches, some of them in ruins after various earthquakes.

Earthquake-wrecked ruins of a church

La Merced Church

Local horse taxi driver wearing great hat

2 comments:

  1. Nice piccy of the earthquake and Rich, you shooting those street scenes from the hip? Both looking really good.

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  2. Hey Craig!
    Great to hear from you!

    Yeah we're still doing the old covert photography but Lucy is better at it than me. We were in Chichi (Guatamala) yesterday attending the biggest market in Central America. Lucy got some amazing shots and mine were utter shite. I went into a real sulk! Ha ha!

    Just arrived in Mexico and the beautiful San Christabel. We'll get some more blog stuff up soon.

    How are you and the lovely Shelley? Still enjoying everything I hope? Speak soon...

    Rich

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