Two Perspectives: Antigua, Guatemala
Written by Kyle and Bessie on Saturday, February 02, 2008 in Guatemala
Feelin' amused
Feelin' amused
So, Bessie and I are going to try something different that we can hopefully do from various places around the world. We are both going to write our impressions of Antigua without reading what the other has to say, so that we can get a sort of He Said / She Said view of a place. It will be interesting to see how a place looks through different eyes... Anyway, here is my perspective first:
Antigua is, like the name implies, old. There are a lot of old buildings (mostly churches) that are in various states of repair. Basically the history goes something like this: capital, rich city then earthquake, then rebuild, then earthquake, then rebuild again. I keep thinking that someday there will be another earthquake that will start the cycle all over again. I guess that is the drawback to living in a place with awesome scenery.
When I say the scenery is awesome, I actually mean it: it is worthy of awe. I´ve always been a mountain person more than a beach person (the ocean is big and scary and full of things that would like to hurt me), so antigua and its surrounding volcanos suit me just fine.
I wish it were a little easier to see the surrounding scenery sometimes, but there are so many freaking walls and narrow streets that most of the time, all I am seeing are brightly colored walls.
Don´t get me wrong, I like the look but it makes me a little claustrophobic sometimes. Speaking of the streets, they are all made of cobblestone, which look nice, but I sometimes felt sorry for the guys biking down them. I can´t imagine their male parts feel very nice after a day of smashing them against the bike seat.
The people here are extremely friendly and non-judgemental. If I lived in a heavily touristed place such as Antigua, I would probably get sick of all the gringos coming in and taking pictures of every stupid church, but they really seem to go about their lives as if we were any other people. They have also been very helpful and patient with my gringo Spanish and make every attempt to speak slowly and correct me if I pronounce things wrong.
I think my favorite thing about the people (mostly amongst the younger crowd) is the propensity for making out in public places. It´s not that sweet, first kiss kind of making out, it´s the "tonsil hockey" / groping kind of making out that is usally done in a parents´ basement (not that I ever did that or anything...I was always good!) Sometimes it´s even done in a courtyard in front of a church! Very nice.
Overall my favorite part was this fountain:
I´m sure it has some sort of significance, but my sophmoric sense of humor finds it really funny.
Comments on "Two Perspectives: Antigua, Guatemala"
Soooooo glad to hear it was transformative, Ben! We´re carrying you guys with us here, so we´re glad you can experience it too.
I´ve been really happy that my Spanish is still decently strong. Everyday I´m sitting with the diccionario looking up words I want to say that I can´t remember, and since we´re immersed, I´m like fly paper. Stuff sticks and I can use it later when talking to someone.
I totally want to make a video at some point of me speaking spanish and add translations. Sorry about the snow! Besos!
Hey Kyle, Thanks for the details and photos. I think I will follow you down there and start a stucco/ painting and paving business. That should be proftable in a volcanic earthquake.e.e.e. zone! So far all I'm doing is smashing my male parts against a snow thrower and trying to stay warm!!! Wander over to Belize City if you get a chance and go scuba diving at the great reef with Bessie and swim with the nurse sharks in the shallows for a safe, guided and memorable experience. P.S. I love the fountain also... a 3-D advertisement for La Leche League! IMAGINE BEING THE GUYS WHO BUILT AND INSTALLED IT!!! I'm proud of your efforts in learning Spanish. You both worked very hard to get where you are right now. Savor the flavor of your successes. Happy weekend, DADDIO
Wow! I LOVE your He Says/She says about Antigua! Your communication styles in this are so different but both are very entertaining and informative! Kyle, so practical, humorous, sayin' it like it is! Bessie, celebrating and savoring each experience - why, Bess - you are TRULY In The Moment!! Too FUN! -Great sharing! Felt like I was experiencing it with you!
Glad you feel like you´re experiencing it too!!! That´s definitely what we´re going for!
:) Yeah!
Congrats on just missing a snow storm that would have delayed your departure! Mai Ling is enjoying romping in the drifts and protecting us from herds of deer. Your view of "traffic management" will prepare you for Puerto Vallarta as the side streets are the same...lots of cars from the 60"s, especially VW bugs...many with their roof cut off. Guatemala seems picturesque....especially loved the "fabric market." Backpacks on your heads soon? Looks easy!
LOL - I love the idea of wearing our backpacks on our heads! Haa haa, or maybe more that the locals would look at us like we´re absolutely nuts...
Coolness, man. I especially like the map with pics. Wish I had done something like that. Dunno if you've heard of it, but try out couchsurfing.com. It's a community for travelers who open their homes for a night or two. You get to stay with someone who often can show you around or help you out, with the added benefit of being free. I'm doing it next week in Taiwan, and everyone I've met who's done it, either hosting or being hosted, has been great. Cheers!
Ya, we're actually a part of couchsurfing and we have already hosted a really cool Dutch girl when we were living in Chicago. We hope we can do it some along the way!
My first time on the site and, boy! is it ever going to be fun following along with you two! I absolutely loved the pictures and went through the whole album twice. It's wonderful to see the big smiles on your faces.
XXXX Pam Z
Hi Bessie, Colorful sights and fascinating sounds. Guess they needed a few more tellers at the bank that afternoon! Nice writing Bessie! Cool candle and toilet paper systems... I think~~~ ! How many people share the hot water baths at one time??? :>) ! ! ! Are you practicing the back pack on the head trick through the little market streets? ! DADDIO
Oh man, the pics you just posted are bringing tears to my eyes. The lava looks way too hot to be close to, did you throw anything into the red hot spots ? XOXO Ben
Gosh Bess, you remind me of that girl on the travel channel, I always thought she had a dream job. You even look like her. It is evident you are both having a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!
She´s got my dream job FOR SURE!!!! Man if I could get paid for traveling to these places it might only make it all the sweeter. For now, jobs that just sustain travel will do.
Also, we´re likely to pick up ¨volunteer jobs¨ down the road that ¨pay¨ with a place to stay and for food. That way we can be somewhere and not be paying anything, except for additional things. Theoretically, the more we do that, the more we can travel! :)
i love this.. I feel like i'm right there with you . I'm going to email the site to Carrie and Tim I'm blown away by how well you two made this site. Love you guys cheri
Thanks for all the compliments!! It´s awesome people are enjoying it so much. We´re really proud of it. Please feel free to share it with others!!! :)
i love the he said/she said! you guys are so creative =].
I showed your Antigua pics to Poppa. Kyle, he laughed when he saw your favorite statue. I guess Poppa has a sophomoric sense of humor, too! And he really got a kick out of your Payday photo spread, Bess. Not exactly Direct Deposit! ; ^ )
That´s awesome he´s enjoying everthing so well!! He´s pretty savvy for a 85 years young man!!!
I really love the pics, and your perspectives really took me there! I would so love to get my Spanish back and hearing Bess say that the Spanish is crisp and understandable is so darn cool. It makes all the difference, en mexico there is a TON of slang. Just like the difference in saying " Lets all go to the car" or "Hop in my ride" Most of the time locals have a choice to let your understand or to totally leave you in the dark... It must be a blast to jump right in and get on a roll with the Spanish... Are you really flowing with Conversaciones yet Bess ? If you take requests... let Kyle make a video in his pocket just for the sake of catching a conversation so we can hear a bit of it ! All is well in Chi-town, just enjoying the fresh foot of snow here : )
by Ben at February 02, 2008 12:34 PM