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Guatemala 1 - Antigua & Volcan Papaya |
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Casapagina |
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We headed to Guatemala from Copan, the city of Antigua was our jumping off point. It is another beautiful colonial city surrounded by volcanoes and filled with resdents of Guatemala City who prefer to escape their smoggy, crime ridden, overpopulated capital on weekends. The city is full of local and international tourists and language students but manages to keep all of it's charm. |
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We hiked up the Cerro del Cruce (Hill of the Cross) to get a view of the 3 volcanoes surrounding the city. As Guatemala is a dangerous place the tourist police provide an armed escort, which made us feel more and less safe at the same time.
Sarah lost her hat somewhere along the way and due to a lack of appropriate head gear, decided she was a Broncos fan "Sure I know the Broncos, John Elway and all that. Goooooo Broncs!". |
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She's still a door fan deep down though. |
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Sarah hates this picture, but I can't be bothered at this point to find the camera, find the picture she prefers, resize it, save it to the hard drive, upload it to the file manager and post it on the site, so use your imagination. |
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The next day we hiked Volcan Pacaya, This is it from the trail. In case you're wondering, it is active and yes, that is lava pouring down it's Eastern slope... |
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And spewing from it's summit.... |
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Despite the impending electrical storm, half the group summited the volcano to get up close to it's 2 cones (both of which are pictured above spewing lava).
The guide gleefully informed us that to stand so close would be illegal in any other country, but as previously discussed Guatemala is a very dangerous place. |
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Red Hot Mag-Ma. |
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Sarah was very pleased that Pat returned from the summit unscathed...so was Pat. |
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Chichicastenango... |
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Chichi, as it's known locally, is famous for it's Sunday markets when anything and everything is carted out to the main square and put up for sale. |
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Sunday is also the day the locals have parades in honour of their local deity, various processions celebrate his strength and power.
I'm not sure how wearing a cardboard box covered in balloons, streamers and topped with fireworks celebrates anything but then again, I'm not Guatemalan. |
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The cardboard box balloon cult are followed closely by the fedora'd floutist donkey bearers. |
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Then the crazy cowboy hatted fellow lights off some of the loudest firecrackers ever created.
Whoopee for our Deity! |
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Like I said, everything is for sale in this market.
Dad, this hat was to be yours but it got left on a chicken bus in Guatemala somewhere, it's too bad 'cause it was sooo you. |
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Guate Rocks, Gimme More, Guate 2 |
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I blinked and missed Honduras, take me back. |
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Back to the Casapagina |
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