ROUTE OF THE MAYA
November 9 - 26, 2010
Page Eight
Guatemala continued - Antigua
Antigua is a city in the central highlands of Guatemala, famous for its well-preserved Spanish influenced Baroque architecture as well as a number of colonial churches. Tourism is the main driver of the economy. Antigua is also a coffee producing region, and there is a nearby macadamia nut plantation. Antigua also holds a sizeable retirement community from the US as well as Europe, probably due to its colonial charm.
Central Park (Parque Central) is the heart of the city. The reconstructed fountain in the background is a popular
gathering
spot. This city was founded by the Spanish in the 17th Century, and it follows the traditional design
of a Main Plaza
surrounded by Government and Catholic Church buildings.
Sitting on the east side of Central Park in Antigua is Santiago Cathedral. Built in 1542, it has been
hit by numerous earthquakes.
Agua Volcano and a street scene in Antigua, known for its cobblestone streets
View from the top patio of the place we stayed - Los Pasos
At El Mercado, the Market in Antigua.
It is large, like a maze, and you could easily lose your way without a guide.
It is dark in the covered areas. The cheapest food, commodities, fresh meat,
and gifts can be found here.
There are so many sections to the market, that one would need to spend nearly
a full day to see it all.
Another scene at the local market
Antigua is surrounded by mountains. Here our group is heading toward the "chicken buses" to catch a bus
to a small nearby town where we visited a school. Chicken buses are former American school buses that have
been driven to Guatemala or Honduras. They are privately owned and are decorated according to the owner's tastes.
They run between the Mayan villages, often crammed full of people, farm goods, and often chickens or other live animals.
It got so crammed on our bus, that people squeezed 3 to a
double bus seat. It is expected that you squeeze
together to allow a third person to join you.
The group in front of the chicken bus: Standing: Steve and Young, Joyce, Esther, Heather, Marvin, Loreta,
Kate, Dave, Arlyn, Roger, Margaret, Don, Doris. Kneeling: Lois, Pat
School was not in session as it was harvest time, but the kids and teacher showed up to meet with us.
Grand Circle Foundation provides some support to this school. Overseas Adventure Travel, the tour company
that I went with, is owned by Grand Circle Travel
The children singing to us. Note the girls are wearing traditional Mayan dress; the boys are wearing jeans.
The teacher listening to a question
A young girl who noticed me taking her picture.
Pat with one of the children
Outside the school as we were leaving
After the school visit, we divided up into smaller groups to have lunch at the home of one of the families
that has a child in the school. The husband, on the left, works in Guatemala City as a driver for a rich family.
He had asked for and received the day off so that he could come home to meet and talk to us.
He said he and his wife will only have 2 children, because they know how difficult it is to get ahead if you
have a large family, as both are from large families.
Link to Page 9 - Antigua, Guatemala
Link to Page One of Route of the Maya
Pat's Home Page