independencia.

I love this picture because it’s the kind that really doesn’t even need a caption.

Happy American holiday from a non-American country!

rainbow cafe & “kenny.”

We tried Rainbow Cafe for dinner & weren’t disappointed. Not only was the food tasty, but we were serenaded by this long-haired hippie band, advertised as “Kenny.” Clearly, the atmosphere of the restaurant & the bands they hire are targeted toward the backpacking crowd. I left the photo blurry & without flash to reflect the notion of that laid-back hippie-ness.

de la rua.

You’re seeing the cake display from my perspective. I’m sitting in De La Rua just for wi-fi & coffee, but my proximity to all the sweets is getting to me. I’m really tempted to go for a slice of that key lime pie.

I wouldn’t highly recommend De La Rua to a tourist who only has a few days in town. I’ve had better coffee and service in Antigua, but I have no right to be a coffee snob now, as my caffeine withdrawals were about to peak when the waiter delivered my Americano.

By the way, the mural in the background is indeed just a picture of some of the many columns by the central park. It does look very realistic, though.

bare-naked ladies.

The Fountain of the Sirens in the middle of Parque Central is famous for – well, its sirens. The water shooting out of the naked women’s breasts is somewhat of an inside joke here in Antigua and the object of giggles from many juvenile boys.

paint the town.

We had a great night at Cafe No Se & La Casbah. Whenever I’m dancing the night away, I can’t help but think, This is what life is all about – celebration. Even if all you’re celebrating is the weekend.

Sheryl took this shot of us with my host parents before we headed out for the night.

el tanque.

As far as I know, this is the biggest pila in town. But even more famous than for washing clothes, El Tanque is known for the slews of high school aged kids making out with each other each afternoon. They line up along the side of the pila & just go at it. I know it’s simply a cultural difference, but I would be so embarrassed!

memorial.

Here is a memorial, in the lodge where we stayed, of the Rio Negro massacre. It basically talks in Achi’ about what happened at Rio Negro. In the middle, it lists all the names of the innocent Mayans who were murdered.