Not all who wander are lost: 2014

Monday, December 8, 2014

Adventures in the market

At first the market was a place of curiosity and strange new things for me. After living here for 1.5 years, I FINALLY took pictures, and it felt a bit weird to be honest. I felt like a tourist in my own town and actually struggled to take pictures of some of things things I found so interesting before, because now, going to the market is a weekly or more often event. It's a fascinating place full of hustle and bustle with literally everything you could ever want. Pictures truly don't do it justice, but here's an attempt!

Market entrance. There are several entrances, but this is the closest to my house

My fruit lady. She has a wonderful smile, but didn't want to for the photo.
I see her pretty much every week, and if I don't, she asks where I've been.

Collection of bags and household items

Clothing area

The organization of the market is amazing.
On the right they are selling jewelry and opposite cleaning supplies.
In the far left a banana stand on the far right bras and underwear.

Flower shop

The display of fruits and vegetables is a work of art at every stand

Also interesting to see all the fruits and vegetables with chips up tome

Cute kid sitting atop the fruit

One of the many fruit/vegetable areas of the market

Spices

The meat area - yes, it just hangs out all day

When I asked to take a picture of the stand, the guys said it was ok but then ducked out of view.

There is also a lot of prepared food to buy

Hard at work flipping blue corn tortillas

The outside portion of the market

You can literally buy anything here! And you can see it's time to prepare for Christmas.

Many, many eggs! A carton of eggs (30 eggs) costs about $4.50

So much amazing fresh produce for cheap! A pineapple is $1.30

Massive papayas

Behind the market is where the chicken buses park.
Chicken buses are the public transportation around Guatemala.

The Paca - where old clothes come to get a new life for super low prices

If you're into hunting for clothing, you can find some awesome deals here!

Another inside portion of the market

It just keeps going and going...

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Ruins of Antigua

Antigua is an amazing town full of history and a mix of old and new. In 1717 an estimated 7.4 earthquake struck Antigua and destroyed much of the town. Several things were rebuilt but many buildings were not, leaving many interesting ruins in which to explore.

On the left is the Cathedral which was destroyed in the earthquake. Part of it is still in ruin

Cathedral ruins

Cathedral ruins - interesting door

Cathedral ruins

Also a former Monestary turned hotel...

Pretty cool place to get married

In the museum they built see-through floors so you can see the ruins below

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Finding joy and comfort in my surroundings: Volcanoes

After living here for a year and a half, I still have feelings of awe when I see one of the three different volcanoes around Antigua. Especially seeing the active volcano, Fuego, poof smoke. If you're lucky on a clear night, you can see Fuego spew lava. It's a pretty amazing sight and nearly impossible to capture on film.

Borrowed photo by local photographer Santi

This is what a regular camera can do and captures what it's like to see the eruption with the naked eye

I've always loved mountains and nature, and to be physically surrounded by such beauty is part of what brings me joy each and every day I'm here. Especially now that we're in dry season, the skies are clear and the views are incredible. I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to live in this amazing place!