Greetings! I am behind on my postings...so let my mantra be brief and concise for this one (and next) ~ a challenge because there were so many interesting things...but my real motivator is Cole's birthday party Sat, May 7th (actual birth day May 8th) and I am excited to share that with y'all.
Antigua, Guatemala
We travelled there by double-decker bus (rode up top and in front) on April 7th and came back on April 11th - nice long weekend. Rich had an Upper School Director's conference with other bilingual, independent schools in Central America. Antigua has quite a rich colonial history and architecture, which makes it a real destination for this area of the world. The hotel we stayed at was amazing - Museo y Hotel Casa Santo Domingo was so lovely ~ it is literally built on and around the ruins of a monastery and beautifully restored and preserved. Take a look:
https://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/en because I didn't get too many pictures of this incredible hotel (with art and archeological museums, ruins, chocolate factory, candle-making and pottery workshops...).
Antigua, Guatemala
We travelled there by double-decker bus (rode up top and in front) on April 7th and came back on April 11th - nice long weekend. Rich had an Upper School Director's conference with other bilingual, independent schools in Central America. Antigua has quite a rich colonial history and architecture, which makes it a real destination for this area of the world. The hotel we stayed at was amazing - Museo y Hotel Casa Santo Domingo was so lovely ~ it is literally built on and around the ruins of a monastery and beautifully restored and preserved. Take a look:
https://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/en because I didn't get too many pictures of this incredible hotel (with art and archeological museums, ruins, chocolate factory, candle-making and pottery workshops...).
In Antigua, we enjoyed the cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, exploring the various churches and ruins of the town, cool climate, and eating good food. If you were to ask Cole, his favorite part was the warm pool and the friends he made along the way (Leonardo, Sophia, and Isabella). Lastly, we were able to get a taste of the incredible processions and extravaganza that is a part of Antigua during the Semana Santa (holy week) - INCREDIBLE with the alfrombras (rugs) created out of sawdust, petals, flowers, plants, fruits, vegetables... (Cole helped out); the men (dressed in purple robes) and women (dressed in black) carrying large wooden "floats" with the statue of Jesus and then Mary...; the incense that covers the city as these processions go by; and the uniquely distinguishable fragrant flowers from pods that envelope it all.... The streets are closed off while the alfrombas are being made the same day (finished hours or minutes before) the procession walks-over/stomps-on these beautiful alfrombas - that are then cleaned up and it begins again...until Easter Sunday. It was good fortune that we were able to be here during this time. One gringo (or mzungu:KiSwahili) said upon seeing an alfromba with JHS: what does that JHS stand for - Jesuit High School? Hmmm...what could that JHS stand for in a Christian holy week?
Hi Amy
ReplyDeleteI check out your blog every once and a while. I was in Guatamala in 2006 and fell in love with Antigua. I have 3 photos of some of the ruins that hang in my office. I'm still in Toronto.
Your son is so sweet. He looks like such a white boy ;@)
It's always good to be able to check your blog and know you are all well.
Blessings,
Shelley (from Maji Moto)