Exploring Antigua

We took it easy the next day in Antigua, exploring the city's ruins and sidestreets.

Antigua used to be the capital of Guatemala before it was hit by a series of earthquakes. The city is dotted with old buildings, both ruined and well-preserved. The square in the center of town is surrrounded by stately colonial structures, and has nice benches to relax in.

The weekend we were in town, there was some kind of festival going on, with bands and free food under the famous arch. Later, they had a costumed dance in which a man in a Spanish matador mask (white-face?) "fought" a man dressed as a bull. I don't remember who won.

There were also festivities involving the upcoming election when we were in town, including a parade of cars of supporters of the candidates, blaring music and waving signs.

Festival dancing

There are two markets in Antigua, an "Artisan's" market with better quality tourist items and tourist prices, and an awesome market selling everything from meat to weird candles with "special powers" to hoochy skirts and porn. I bought a hammock chair for $20 (bundled it up in a garbage bag tied with string and strapped it to my back for the next week). We tried finding some gay porn to bring home to JP, but we just got weird looks when we asked for "porno hombre con hombre".

You know how there's always one thing you "should have bought" on every trip? For me, it was one of those short, fluffy, frilly aprons that the Guatemalan girls wore all over Antigua. Damn, I'd be rocking that all of SF if I'd bought it.