AWESOME ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA MEMORIES REVISITED 2023

 

                                                             

Antigua, Guatemala which is simply refered to as Antigua is a city located in the central highlands of Guatemala. It was founded in 1524 by Spanish conquistadors and served as the capital of the "Kingdom of Guatemala" until 1773. The city's rich history and well-preserved colonial architecture make it a popular destination for tourists and history buffs alike.

I was captivated with Antigua from our initial visit. As tourists, my husband and I had visited Antigua with a group of local residents from Puerto Vallarta during Antigua's incredible Semana Santa (Easter Week) celebrations. It was some years later that we remembered its many attractive attributes and we couldn’t resist the allure. It did not take long to pack our bags leaving Mexico behind and move to Antigua for a new living experience.

Above vintage photo of Antigua way, way back when. 

Antigua is a charming colonial city located in the central highlands of Guatemala. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, and for good reason. With its cobblestone streets, brightly colored colonial buildings, and breathtaking views of nearby volcanoes, Antigua is a traveler's paradise. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the top things to see and do in Antigua for travelers.

Antigua was founded in 1543 by Spanish conquistadors and for over 200 years it served as the capital of the Captaincy General of Gautemala which included present-day Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and parts of Mexico.

However, the city was destroyed several times by earthquakes, and in 1773 the capital was moved to the newly founded Guatemala City. Since then, Antigua has remained a small town with a rich colonial heritage. One of the main attractions in Antigua is the impressive collection of colonial-era buildings that have been beautifully preserved. 

                                          

One of the most distinctive features of Antigua is its architecture which blends Spanish Baroque, Mudejar, and indigenous styles. Many of the buildings in the historic center date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and are adorned with elaborate facades, ornate balconies, and intricately carved wooden doors. The city's main square, Parque Central, is a hub of activity and a great place to people-watch.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Antigua for travelers. One of the most popular attractions is the Santa Catalina Arch, a bright yellow archway that spans a narrow street in the city center. The arch was built in the 17th century and originally connected the Santa Catalina convent to a school across the street. Today, it's a symbol of Antigua and a popular spot for taking photos.

                                       

Overall Antigua Guatemala is a fascinating destination that offers a glimpse into the past. Its rich history, well-preserved architecture, and charming atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the colonial period of Central America. The locals are friendly and eager to please.  

Playing a Xylophone and selling trinkets in Antigua.

Like father playing a Xylophone for tips.

                                    

All of these attributes excited me with so much to see, do, and learn. I felt as though Antigua was a living museum that I could explore and learn from just by walking out the door and onto its cobble stoned streets. Very simply, Antigua was my kind of place as you can see in the above foto.

Holy Week, also known as Semana Santa, is one of the most important religious celebrations in Antigua Guatemala. The week leading up to Easter Sunday is marked by a series of colorful processions, traditional music, and elaborate street decorations.  Easter Sunday is the climax of the holy week celebration in Antigua with religious services and processions taking place throughout the city. The main event of the day is the Procession of Silence which takes place in the early hours of the morning and features a silent procession of hooded figures bearing large crosses. 

One of the main attractions of Holy Week in Antigua are the processions which take place throughout the city. These processions feature large floats depicting scenes from the Bible as well as costumed participants dressed as Roman soldiers and biblical figures. The processions are accompanied by traditional music, and are attended by thousands of people.

The following photographs were taken during the Semana Santa celebrations in Anitgua.

             

The above image shows the tapetas, or "carpets," made of flowers which line the street during the Holy week processions. 

                           

     

Another highlight of the towns surrounding Lake Atitlan are the local artisans. The area is known for its traditional ceramics, textiles, and woodcarvings and visitors can learn about the local artisans and crafts by visiting their workshops.

The towns surrounding Lake Atitlan also have a rich spiritual heritage. Visitors can visit traditional Mayan Temples and shrines many of which are still in use today. Visitors can also visit the local shamans and learn about traditional Mayan healing practices.

Overall, the towns surrounding Lake Atitlan are a unique destination that offers visitors a chance to experience the traditional culture and way of life of the Maya people. The towns are rich in cultural heritage and offer visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the local traditions and customs.   I loved Guatemala and it's wonderful people and culture.  Maybe it's time for a return visit!  

                            

As always, I look forward to hearing from my blog friends. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any comments, suggestions, or questions either by direct email or by leaving a comment on the web page. Until next time, saludos and gracias, Laura

THE KISKADEE BIRD TRIBE OF MEXICO AND BEYOND

I have decided to share the Kiskadee bird tribe in this blog posting. I have become fascinated with this bird specie since they hang out on our balcony and wake us up each morning when they are hungry. So if you are game, let me introduce you to these colorful and interesting birds

The Mexican Kiskadee  is found only on the west coast of Mexico and the northernmost edge of Guatemala. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and heavily degraded mountains.

The spectacular Mexican Kiskdee is a black-and-yellow birtd of tropical lowlands in west Mexico. This bird  favors deciduous forests, plantations, and hedges with tall trees. It often can be fond in  towns and villages especially near streams and rivers. Usually in flocks, the Kiskadee can be found moving through the canopy to feed at flowering and fruiting trees, but also feeds readily on the ground.  

               

The adult great kiskadee is one of the largest of the tyrant flycatchers. It is 9.8 to 11.0 inches in length and weighs 1.87 to 2.52 onces.  Good no know, si! The head is black with a strong white plumage and a concealed yellow crown stripe. The bill is short, thick, and black in color.

 

                    

The great kiskadee is a common, noisy and conspicuous bird. It is almost omnivorous and hunts like a shrike or flycatcher waiting on an open perch high in a tree to fly out and catch insects or to pounce upon rodents and similar small vertebrates (such as other birds' chicks). 

It will also take prey such as small lizards and frogs and some fruit from vegetation by jumping for it or by ripping it off in mid-hover. Occasionally it dives for fish or tadpoles in shallow water making it one of the few fishing passerines.

Kiskadees like to hunt on their own or in pairs though they might be fond to make good use of prey flushed by smaller birds they do not seem to join mixed-species feeding flocks very often. When they do, they hunt in the familiar manner. Such opportunistic feeding behavior makes it one of the commonest birds in urban areas around Latin America. And its flashy belly and its shrill call make it one of the most conspicuous.

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Great kiskadees are monogamous and defend a territory. Both sexes build the large domed nest that has a side entrance. It is chiefly composed of grasses and small twigs, but can also incorporate lichen, string, and plastic. The birds will steal material from other nests.The nest is placed in a wide range of sites often in an exposed position high up in a tree or on man-made structures.  This photo was taken on our guard raid which the Kisdakees like to hang out on and which they also use to clean their bills.  

This alert and aggressive bird has a strong and maneuverable flight which it uses to good effect when it feels annoyed by raptors. Even much larger birds are attacked by the great kiskadee usually by diving down or zooming straight at them while they are in mid-air. Harsh calls are also often given during these attacks alerting all potential prey in the area of the predator's presence.

  

If not very hungry any raptor subject to a great kiskadee's mobbing behavior is likely to leave as it is almost impossible to make a good catch when subject to the tyrant flycatcher's unwelcome attention. In general, avian predators are liable to steer clear of an alert great kiskadee lest their hunting success be spoiled.  Maybe this Kiskadee is thinking about going fishing.  What do you think?  

Not being appreciated as a songbird, the great kiskadee is not usually kept caged and therefore has escaped the depredations of poaching for the pet trade. The Kiskadee bird mostly lives on prey which mades it extremely difficult to keep in captivity. This Kiskadee photographed above might have thought it was a cool place to take a time out on this umbrella below our deck.     

Our Kiskadees have become very fond of old corn chips which I break up for the their morning treat. This is one of three who comes each morning and calls me with their distinctive sound so I know they are there. PS We have also learned that they simply adore pancakes and French toast also. I keep saying to my husband we are creating avian monsters.

If you look closely you can see some  of our breakfast hotcakes hanging out of our friend's mouth! 

      

Thank you for joining me in this brief introduction to the Kiskadee bird tribe.  Until next time wishing you well and please do not hesitate to contact me if you should have any questions, suggestions, or comments.    Saludos, Laura 

PS When not blogging my passion is to join my husband in our marine world and it is always a special day when I am able to hold a Pufferfish.  Looking forward to sharing more of our world in the near future. 

CINCO DE MAYO IN MEXICO REVISITED 2023

The fifth of May (cinco de Mayo) commemorates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It was primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, but is also celebrated in other parts of the country and in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as people might think, Mexico’s Independence Day which is actually September 16.

Setting the Stage

The battle at Puebla in 1862 happened at a violent and chaotic time in Mexico’s history. Mexico had finally gained independence from Spain in 1821 and a number of internal political takeovers and wars, including the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the Mexican Civil War of 1858, had mostly wiped out the national economy.

During this period Mexico had accumulated heavy debts to several nations, including Spain, England, and France, who were demanding payment. Similar debt to the U.S. was previously cleared after the Mexican-American War. France was eager to add Mexico to its empire at that time, and when Mexico finally stopped making any loan payments, France used the debt issue to establish its own "leadership" in Mexico by installing Napoleon’s relative, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, as ruler of Mexico.

Mexico Confronts the Invasion

France invaded the Gulf coast of Mexico and began to march toward Mexico City. Although American President Abraham Lincoln was sympathetic to Mexico’s cause for which he is honored in Mexico, the U.S. was involved in its own Civil War at the time and was unable to provide any direct assistance.

Marching toward Mexico City from the coast, the French army encountered strong resistance at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. Lead by Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, a small poorly armed militia of about 4,500 were able to stop and defeat a well out-fitted French army of 6,500 soldiers which halted the invasion of the country.

The victory was a glorious moment for Mexican patriots and is the cause for the historical date’s celebration. Unfortunately, the victory was short lived. Upon hearing the bad news, Napoleon had found an excuse to send more troops overseas to try and invade Mexico again against the wishes of the French populace. Thirty thousand more troops and a full year later the French were eventually able to depose the Mexican army, take over Mexico City, and install Maximilian as the ruler of Mexico.

Maximilian’s rule of Mexico, however, was also short from 1864 to 1866 and ended as the United States of America began to provide more political and military assistance to Mexico to expel the French. Cinco de Mayo honors the bravery and victory of General Zaragoza’s small and outnumbered militia at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Today’s Celebration

For the most part, the holiday of Cinco de Mayo is more of a regional holiday in Mexico celebrated most vigorously in the state of Puebla for historical reasons. Though there is recognition of the holiday throughout the whole country it is nothing like that found in Puebla.

Commercial interests in the United States and Mexico have also been very successful in promoting the holiday with products and services focused on Mexican food, beverage, and festive items. Cinco de Mayo has turned into an excuse to enjoy Mexican beer and eat tacos as if anyone needed any more of an excuse!

                       

Wishing all a wonderful Cinco de Mayo from Mexico wherever you may be.

 

Saludos, Laura

THE TRADITIONAL CUISINE AND LIBATIONS OF OAXACA, MEXICO

The culinary center of the state of Oaxaca is also the name of its capital. Oaxaca is located in what is called the pre-hispanic Central Valleys region. While the dominant indigenous group here has been the Zapotecs since the pre-Hispanic period there has been influence from other groups as well such as the Mixtecs.

The indigenous people of Oaxaca have grown corn, beans, squash,  and other crops for thousands of years. Oaxaca is one of Mexico's major gastronomic and historical centers whose cuisine is known internationally.

                                    

Like the rest of Mexican cuisine, Oaxacan food is based on staples such as corn, beans, and chile peppers. But there is a great variety of other ingredients and food preparations due to the influence of the state's varied geography and indigenous cultures. 

                 

The indigenous people of Oaxaca have grown corn, beans, squash and other crops for thousands of years. In rural, especially indigenous villages, households still depend heavily on these foods with few changes in how they are grown, mostly on small plots. 

                          

The cooking here retains much of its indigenous flavor such as dishes prepared without fat (unknown before the arrival of the Spanish) and the use of the valley's abundance of vegetables and herbs especially in its moles. However, as capital of the state, it also has received influence from other parts of Oaxaca. I love this photograph of a "Frida Kahlo" look alike and her fast food enterprise in the local mercado.

Because of its mountain ranges the state has a number of climates and cultures which contributes to making the cuisine the most varied in Mexico. The state has coastal areas with seafood, the Central Valley region grows a wide variety of vegetables, and the area near Veracruz provides a year-round supply of tropical fruits. Oaxaca also has seventeen recognized indigenous groups who contribute their own cooking traditions. The cooking of each region in the state is characterized by local ingredients and to some extent cooking methods.

                                              

                                       Picking out the all-important chilis was my job! 

           

The best-known mezcal-producing area of the state is here between the city of Oaxaca and Mitla along the highway that leads to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Like tequila, mezcal is made with the cooked hearts of a species of the maguey or agave plant, but the flavor is very different. It has been described as smoky and it is usually drunk straight. It comes in several varieties and can contain flavors such as almond, coffee, and orange.

Hanging out in the Mezcal plants

The following link will take you to my blog posting on the "Libations" of Mexico 

                                     LIBATIONS OF THE MEXICAN GODS

Oaxaca's dietary staple is corn which has been Mexico's for over 7,000 years. Corn is generally dried and ground to create a dough which is then used for a number of dishes including entomatadas, empanadas, and tamales. Tortillas are called blandas and are a part of nearly every meal. The main flavoring agent is the chili pepper with varieties such amarillos, chilhuacles, chilcostles and costenos, but the most distinctive is the pasilla oaxaquena chile.

          

As for beans, Oaxacan cuisine prefers black beans in many varieties: cooked with aniseed and served in the form of soup, as a topping for street food, or with scrambled eggs in huevos con frijoles.  Another distinctive ingredient is Oaxaca cheese also called quesillo which is used to make empanadas, tortas and tlayudas. As for beans, Oaxacan cuisine prefers black beans in many varieties: cooked with aniseed and served in the form of soup, as a topping for street food, or with scrambled eggs in huevos con frijoles.   

                                                       

Sharing a meal with family at a traditional mercado is always a good meal and I think I see someone I recognize in this image.

                                                               

And visiting Oaxaca markets was even more special when our daughter Ashley joined us. What  special memories, mi hija!  

                                  

                                       Eating with the locals always make me happy!  

Thank you for visiting Mexico and Beyond: Laura's Photo Journey and I look forward to your company as I continue this blog journey.  Until next time,  saludos Laura

THE MAGIC OF SAND SCULPTURES

This blog posting as been inspired by a new friend I recently met on our beach. His name is Richard Allard and his lovely wife Line. I consider him a master sand sculpture artist. It is with sincere thanks and pleasure that we have met.

I have always loved sand sculptures. I theorize it originated as a child living on the beach in Southern California. My brother and I would go out and start digging in the sand and at some point our sculptures actually started to look like something recognizable.









My young children who grew up on the beach in Southern California were introducted to building sand castles at a very young age.
















Sand art is the practice of modelling sand into an artistic form such as sand brushing, sand sculpting, sand painting, or creating sand bottles. A sandcastle is a type of sand sculpture resembling a miniature building, often a castle. The drip castle variation uses wet sand that is dribbled down to form organic shapes before the sands dries.

























Most sand play takes place on sandy beaches, where the two basic building ingredients, sand and water, are available in abundance. Some sand play occurs in dry sandpits and sandboxes, though mostly by children and rarely for art forms. Tidal beaches generally have sand that limits height and structure because of the shape of the sand grains.




























Sand castles are typically made by children for fun, but there are also sand-sculpture contests for adults that involve large, complex constructions. The largest sandcastle made in a contest was 18 feet tall; the owner, Ronald Malcnujio, a five-foot-tall man, had to use several ladders, each the height of the sandcastle. His sculpture consisted of one ton of sand and 10 litres of water to sculpt.















Future sand sculptures hanging out with Grandpa.








Line hanging out with the remains of Patricia who is still hanging in there on our beach.














A drip castle: Sand grains will always stick together unless the sand is reasonably fine. While dry sand is loose, wet sand is adherent if the proper amounts of sand and water are mixed. The reason for this is that water forms little "bridges" between the grains of sand when it is damp due to the forces of surface tension.









When the sand dries out or gets wet, the shape of a structure may change, and "landslides" are common. A mix of fine (mostly sharper) and coarse sand granules is very important to achieve good "sand construction" results. Fine granules that have been rounded by the natural influences of seas, rivers or fluvials, in turn negatively influence the bonding between the individual granules as they more easily slide past each other.








Shovels and buckets are the main construction tools used in creating sand castles and sand sculptures, although some people use only their hands. A simple sand castle can be made by filling a bucket with damp sand, placing it upside-down on the beach, and removing the bucket. For larger constructions, water from the sea to mix with the sand can be brought to the building site with a bucket or other container. Sometimes forms of other materials, such as wood or plastic are constructed to hold piles of sand in place and in specific shapes.









Sand sculpting as an art form has become popular in coastal beach areas. Hundreds of annual competitions are held all over the world. Techniques can be quite sophisticated, and record-breaking achievements have been noted in the Guinness World Records. Sometimes, contests are staged as advertising or promotional events. Most sand sculptors come from other disciplines but a few earn their living solely from sand-related activities.








Thank you for joining me and my introduction to our Sand Sculptures. Until next time, wishing you well and safe travels.