Well, we have been in Antigua, Guatemala for a week. Sue and Graham have been taking Spanish classes while Lynn and I have been touring. Antigua was originally the Capital of Guatemala. Guatemala, prior to its independence from Spain in the 1800s, included southern Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
I couldn’t wait to see my first death cap. As you can see the live wires, it is exciting when you take a shower.

I later ended up in the emergency room. No, not electrocution, but a pulled hip muscle. I received excellent care, a pain injection, and medications for $22.00 (The Obama Plan).
Antigua is in a valley, about 5000 feet, surrounded by 3 volcanoes and other mountains. One is very active. It was spewing ashes on a regular basis.

Antigua dates from the 1500s. When they moved the capital to Guatemala City, the new government took many of the important relics and abandoned the buildings. They are currently being restored, however, it is a slow process. The square is a vital part of the Hispanic culture.
The Captain-General’s palace built in 1700s with Volcano Agua in the background.

The Cathedral was started in the 1500s. After it was abandoned, squatters moved in and destroyed a significant part of it as did a major earthquake. They are currently refurbishing paintings from the 1700s within the Cathedral. One of the most astonishing sculptures, in the Cathedral, was a robed Christ. If you stand just below Him, He will be looking directly into your eyes.

Here is a photo from the underground crypt. Dana, see all the spirits in the background?

Jade was the main precious commodity for the Mayans. The story goes that Montezuma gave Cortez a jade necklace for the King of Spain. The Christian Cortez associated jade, because of Montezuma’s comments, with their pagan beliefs. It became a crime, punishable by death, to produce and cut jade, at that time. Of course Cortez was unhappy because gold was what they wanted. We watched the locals make some very beautiful jewelry.

We visited a museum of many important jade artifacts and jewelry. Here is Graham wearing a reproduced death mask.

While I was in the emergency room, Lynn, Sue and Graham went to Pacaya, the active volcano that surrounds Antigua. They regularly experience earthquakes here. The climb is l l/2 hours.

A panoramic view of the other volcanoes.

Flowing hot lava at 10,000 feet.

There is life in this barren area.

We will be heading to Lake Attitlan next (October 23, 2009).