Guatemala - Antigua

Our next destination was Antigua in Guatemala. We planned to take one of the first class buses from San Salvador to Guatemala  City, change bus terminals and take another bus to Antigua. While we were in San Salvador the hotel employed a taxi driver who we used several times. He persuaded us that it was cheaper for him to drive us to Antigua. We thought this would be far more comfortable and arranged for him to pick us up at 8.30am. He was late because of the preparations for President Obama's visit the next day. We never thought to confirm where he was taking us. A few kms outside the city we got diverted to a  road that went over the volcano because of a demonstration.  So we went on, we didn't seem to be taking the PanAm highway as we thought we would, but didn't think anything about it. 4 hours later we arrived at the border, there were not many people there - strange this is a major crossing. The immigration officer asked where we were going 'Antigua' we said. The driver said 'Oh no we are going to ........'   A place we had never heard of....... Stunned silence. We had no idea where we were. To add to the problems there was a very odd noise coming from one of the front wheels. We said nothing until we were over the border and then a very loud and lively discussion took place. For some reason the driver had driven us to a border in the north of Guatemala, that would take us another  4 hours to get to Guatemala City, a change of terminals and another hour to Antigua. While the discussion was taking place the driver stopped at garage and said he had to change the brake pads! The end of the story is that we finally arrived in Antigua 6 hours later than we should and we lost a half day in the city we were returning to because we had enjoyed it so much 10 years ago.
Looking back on it, we could hardly believe that a thing like this would happen to us! Saga finished and I am sure some one will write a suitable comment about checking things!!!!
We were very happy to be back in Antigua - it is a beautiful Colonial city. At one time it was the Capital of Guatemala and had 22 Churches, 14 convents and 11 monasteries!!!! Most of them have been destroyed by devastating earthquakes. The city has been rebuilt several times, and is now has a huge tourist industry linked into many Language schools.

We  stayed in a very nice converted house.

The next day was walking day, the old entrance to the city is as we remembered.

The celebrated Convent hotel to the left of the gate didn't look as good as it used to!

Antigua is surrounded by Volcanos. The biggest and nearest dominates the city.

The other two are some way a away, one is always smoking!

Yes, That is smoke and steam!

.The streets are narrow and cobbled, the house's front doors opening directly onto the pavements.

Behind the doors are the famous court yards.

The main square is surrounded by old buildings, with covered paths.

The ceilings beautifully painted.

The reconstructed churches are very beautiful. But, we are now in Lent and I have realized that Lent is celebrated in Central America. In Spain only Holy week is celebrated with processions, but here all the towns and cities have processions for the full 4 weeks of Lent. All churches are decorated with purple banners and flower decorations are everywhere.
Antigua obviously celebrates to the full. La Merced Church has piped mass going all the time and all the figures were on their carts ready to be paraded in the streets.

Next to the church is a ruined convent. The old cloisters had a huge fountain in it.

The arches were beautiful.

The crosses were ready for the processions.

and stored in a corner were the old demi-johns!

Walking out through one door

I wondered if the nuns were allowed to leave through the huge entrance door!

Floral decorations were everywhere.
In the fountain.

And purple ones on buildings,

In entrances

and even in wine bars.

We walked past the old washing place.

To the Capuchinas Convent.

It was different inside. Jesus was given food.

And people were praying.

 It was a fabulous day,but we decided to check the buses for the trip to Huehuetenango.

As we walked back we came across a shop specializing in Lent and holy week clothes.

The poster told us the program

and we could buy the necessary clothes.

Just in case you needed a souvenir of the processions the models were available.

And of course the following are not allowed!

But, one is encouraged to read.

And marriage is very important.

There are always people chatting.

 And always the churches and volcano are there.

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