Around Antigua 1 - Nov2008

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Early morning street scene
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Antigua is growing on me. I guess its the people mainly, and then the beauty of the countryside (one gets used to ignoring the garbage which is present in some areas). Few locals smoke, and most look quite healthy- most get lots of exercise since few have cars, and this, combined with a heathly mostly vegetarian diet, probably helps keep people trim. However, junk food is making its inroads, and coca cola seems to be everywhere.

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Last Saturday I invited my teacher Rebeca to lunch and she took me to a Salvadoran restaurant. We had delicious pupusas and licuardos (fruit milkshakes). The little girl opposite belongs to the lady of the house and came over to be sure that all was well. Total cost was about $6. One can eat for much less on the streets.
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A street vendor selling small pet fish. The local mercado (market) is a colorful, bustling rabbit warren. I think one could buy pretty much anything there. Lots of friendly people, who seem always willing to help strangers speak Spanish. For teenagers, this seems to be the local equivalent of the Mall
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A back street in Antigua. The main streets are very busy and there appear to be no traffic lights or stop signs. But everyone seems to get around without road rage. The only honking one hears is occasionally when a driver arrives at a house to pick someone up.
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These ladies were cooking meat and chicken on the street. I got big smiles when I told them (in Spanish) that it smelled delicious but unfortunately I was a vegetarian.











La Merced church, about 100 yds from the school. Antigua is full of interesting old buildings, some in pretty poor shape, but which add character. The square in front of La Merced is a huge communal gathering place on Sundays - food vendors, kids playing catch, serious church goers, and loafers like me.
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Alvaro, my second teacher, told me that La Merced is one of the most important churches during "Semana Santa" or Holy Week. Starting several weekends before Easter, 24 hr processions depart from it and from other churches, made up of "Cargadores" or load bearers. These are men arranged in a long processions, according to height.

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A couple of guys having fun on the street. The young one was rather embarrassed to be photographed and tried to get up but his elder buddy forced him to pose.
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Houses in the hills around Antigua. Great walks, but, according to our host, not always safe on ones own early in the morning or late at night. I guess its a consequence of the ¨haves¨(which includes me) vs the ¨have nots¨(the majority in centro america). However, I imagine that the Ladrones (robbers) are a tiny percentage of the population.
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All the locals and travelers whom I have met were rooting for Obama. They had a huge celebration last night in the square - including a pinata of Palin which they destroyed. (My apologies to my friends who were pro McCain, but I have to tell it like it is...). The local periodicos (papers) are full of Obama´s victory. My host told me in Spanish that it is the start of a new era in the world. I think that is an exaggeration.

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I met these women on one of my early morning walks. This was part way a very steep hill, which gets me out of breath. The one lady had just lugged her bag of bread rolls up the hill, yet didn't seem a bit tired. Lots of smiles when I chatted with them. And I thought I was fit...
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I love these walks. Typically they last 45 mins - 1 hr. It is always fresh, great views, relatively peaceful, and one says Buenos Dias about 50 times, with smiles to match. Recently, Juan and Tomas have been walking with me, so we can visit the more remote places that might not be safe alone. Breakfast afterward always tastes delicious!