Tengo sueno
That, my friends, is a highly ‘shopped photo from Antigua, Guatemala. I’ve been home for a couple of days now, but between getting in ass late Sunday/Monday morning and Diana’s birthday today, I just got the chance to continue the Guatemala stories.
For those who can appreciate the comparison, Antigua is like Savannah or St. Augustine without all the stupid shit. A colonial city with the colonial, a city without the pretense. There’s no doubt about it – Antigua was easily the most tourist friendly spot of my visit, but I got the distinct feeling that if all the gringos went away, the city wouldn’t miss a beat.
Gringo count in that photo: 0
I think Antigua is how the rest of Guatemala would like to consider itself. Ancient, important and unforgettable. Luis and I wandered the streets both early morning and late night and never felt unsafe, except for one brief “Hey doods, joo guys want buy some weed?” That in stark contrast to our hotel in the middle of Guatemala City – an area in which we were instructed not to leave hotel grounds.
I’ll never forget the passive-aggressive voices used by the market vendors, voices unwilling to bark recommendations and yet equally unwilling to let an easy mark pass by. Ask Luis to do an impression for you – he’s spot on.
Another memory – the two old beggar women perched along the closed government building at 6:45 Saturday morning. Luis and I passed without answering their pleas and they called us either “que malos” or “quama los” – look both up in Google translator.