This archway dating back to 1694, over 5a Av Norte in Antigua, Guatemala, has become a symbol of the city. (Richard McGuire Photo)
I took a minibus today to Antigua, the former colonial capital of Guatemala. The bus was a tourist bus, but it was certainly worth the couple dollars extra to have a seat to myself and a place to put my legs.
Antigua is a beautiful city surrounded by three volcanoes, and with cobbled streets and colonial architecture. Much of it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 1700s, which is why the capital was moved to Guatemala City, but many of the buildings were rebuilt — with fewer stories, and many of the old ruins remain — such as churches with no roofs.
It was here that I lived several months in 1993 when I took an intensive Spanish immersion course. My school has moved, and the building is now a hotel, but I saw many old landmarks, like the park I used to walk past everyday that has public laundry washing basins.
I will spend two nights here with a full day tomorrow to explore, and hopefully post some pictures later. Then on Friday, I take a bus — one of the few comfortable bus services — across Guatemala to Puerto Barrios on the Caribbean coast, which is the jumping off point for a boat to Belize on my way home.
This colonial church in Antigua has been rebuilt after various earthquakes. (Richard McGuire Photo)
This archway dating back to 1694, over 5a Av Norte in Antigua, Guatemala, has become a symbol of the city. In the background is Volcan de Agua. (Richard McGuire Photo)Many of the finest colonial buildings in Antigua, Guatemala are now ruins in which tropical gardens thrive. (Richard McGuire Photo)Many of the finest colonial buildings in Antigua, Guatemala are now ruins in which tropical gardens thrive. (Richard McGuire Photo)This pool and fountain by a park in Antigua, Guatemala is used by women for washing clothes. I used to pass it every day when I lived and studies in Antigua in 1993. (Richard McGuire Photo)I used to pass through this park every day when I lived and studied in Antigua, Guatemala in 1993. It makes for a pleasant spot to stop and rest. (Richard McGuire Photo)Antigua, Guatemala, is famous for its colonial Spanish architecture, such as this arched walkway on the main square at the Captain General’s Palace. (Richard McGuire Photo)Antigua, Guatemala, is famous for its colonial Spanish architecture, such as this municipal building on the main square. (Richard McGuire Photo)Antigua, Guatemala, is famous for its colonial Spanish architecture, such as this municipal building on the main square. (Richard McGuire Photo)San Agustín Church at 5a Calle Poniente in Antigua dates back to the mid-17th century. It suffered earthquake damage in the 1700s. (Richard McGuire Photo)A stairway descends to an underground vault at the ruined Iglesia y Convento de Santa Clara in Antigua, Guatemala. (Richard McGuire Photo)Missing its ceiling since the earthquake of 1773, this chapel in the Church and Convent of Santa Clara has had a direct view of the heavens. (Richard McGuire Photo)A woman carries a load on her head while a colourful Guatemalan bus approaches an intersection on the old cobbled streets of Antigua. (Richard McGuire Photo)A colourful Guatemalan bus approaches an intersection on the old cobbled streets of Antigua. (Richard McGuire Photo)A cyclist rides down an old cobbled street in Antigua, Guatemala. (Richard McGuire Photo)A man waits with his horse and wagon in old Antigua, Guatemala. (Richard McGuire Photo)Ruins of the old Unversidad de San Carlos in Antigua have an open view of the sky after various earthquakes. The university was founded in 1675 and is now located in Guatemala City. (Richard McGuire Photo)The old colonial city of Antigua is roughly an hour away from Guatemala City, the capital, by chicken bus. These are usually converted and brightly painted Bluebird former school buses, and the leg room is designed for children. At the station, which is more of a cobbled yard, guys shout out “Guate, Guate, GWAH-tay!” to passers by until the bus is sufficiently full. When it gets going, it stops frequently to take on or discharge passengers, who are sometimes chickens on the way home from the market. (Richard McGuire Photo)
