Antigua

During the second portion of our trip, we stayed in the beautiful and historic city of Antigua Guatemala. The photograph above shows the view from our hotel room. 

This ruined church was next door to our hotel. 

Vendors near the Artisan's Market. 

A city ordinance mandates that all buildings in Antigua maintain the original Spanish colonial style. As a result, we encountered fast food outlets, like McDonald's and Burger King pictured above, built in the old style. In this regard, Antigua is a city of contradictions. It keeps an old, traditional exterior, and yet we found more modern conveniences in Antigua than in most other places in Guatemala.  

A mime in the city park. 

Dakota and Rhonda in the central park. 

The cathedral

Another view of the cathedral. 

Antigua Guatemala was once the capitol city, but it was destroyed several times by major earthquakes. As a result, the capitol was moved to its present location in Guatemala. City. But also, the entire city is filled with the ruins of churches, cathedrals, and convents from the 1500s.  

Inside the catacombs of a ruined church. 

Antigua is home to Europeans and Americans, along with Guatemalans. 

Chichicastenango

This video shows a few sights and sounds from the Thursday market in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, followed by a handful of still photographs from our trip. At this point, I will refrain from making any commentary because I don't really know what I was seeing. From the archetypal perspective, many of the sights seemed familiar, but I really can't say that I know anything about the specific manifestations of culture in that place. It was fascinating to me, but largely mysterious and unknown.  

"Critical Eye"

Love and Gratitude

After visiting Cerro El Baúl, Dakota sang for Hermana María Magdalena and her mother. As always, his performance was quite moving. The spirit reminded me just how much love and gratitude I feel for my beautiful friends in Guatemala. 

All of Dakota's performances were heartfelt and beautiful. 

Applause...

I only regret that Lourdes was not able to hear the song. I would have loved to get a picture of the four generations of women in their family. 

Cerro El Baúl

After lunch, Lourdes went to work and Hermana María Magdalena took us for a short excursion to Cerro El Baúl, a picturesque hill overlooking the city of Quetzaltenango. 

María and Sofia walking hand in hand. 

Steller's jay are very abundant on the hill. 

Monument to Tecun Umán,

the last Quiché king. 

Fake tilt-shift of Quetzaltenango.

Rhonda and I at the top of El Baúl. 

Reunion

Three or four months before our trip to Guatemala, I wrote letters to my dear friends Lourdes de León and her mother María Magdalena. Unfortunately, I never heard back, so I wasn't sure if they never received the letters or if they just didn't want to hear from me. Once we arrived in Quetzaltenango, I decided that I just had to have the answer, whatever the truth might be. 

When we arrived at the house, I rang the bell and waited for a response. María Magdalena opened the door, but I did not recognize her at first. Apparently, she did not recognize me either. But when I said my name, her face lit up and she threw her arms around me. Right away, she called for her daughter. When Lourdes saw me, she immediately recognized me and also threw her arms around me in a tight embrace. The happiness was immense. 

I did ask about the letters, but they did not receive them. 

Rhonda was still in the temple, but they invited us all back for lunch. It was a surprising, joyful reunion for all. 

María Magdalena is not a member of the LDS Church, but years ago, she rented a room of her house to the missionaries, and since I was in the same area twice, I got to spend a lot of time with this family. We became very close, though I regret to say that we drifted apart after I returned to the States. 

Lourdes now has a beautiful daughter. 

María brought us on a tour of the house. I have so many happy memories from that place; I can't even begin to say how wonderful it felt to return. 

El Templo

Wednesday in Quetzaltenango, we visited the new temple. 

Rhonda and Yaneth attended a session together. 

You can click on any of these photographs to view a larger image.