Week in review, Semana Santa, Holy Week in Antigua

Week at a glance.

As usual, I had a busy week. Not sure how productive, just busy. I only walked the dogs twice this week. I need to get back on track with that. I do enjoy the Puppy Palace.

I splurged and joined the spa and gym at Porta Hotel. It was a bit extravagant, but much needed for me. I get one massage a month included in my membership, plus unlimited use of the gym, the relaxation area, locker room, infared sauna, steam room and the swimming pool. I go at least 4x a week. I took 2-friends over and they immediately booked massages on the spot while I worked out. Yoga keeps me busy too. If they offered more gentle flow, or restorative yoga I would go more frequently. It really helps the old joints from staying so stiff.

A small group of us went to a boutique coffee finca (farm) for a half day trip. We took the chicken bus out of town and visited Finca Los Nietos. The tour was informative and the coffee delicious! I now have enough coffee to last me for months here.

I was bad and visited Central America's version of KFC, called Pollo Comparero for a delicious fried chciken breast. Yummy! I also had chicken nachos at Rainbow Cafe. One of Antigua's favorite ex-pat hang-outs.

I audited an English Certification Class. I may take a one month long course to get certified to teach English abroad, called TESL. This was one of my main reasons to come to Guatemala, but I have lost interest.

This is the week of Semana Santa, Holy Week. My apartment is located across from San Francisco Church a major procession route for the week and for the 40-days of Lent. The carpets, alfombras, carpets made of died sawdust, flowers, fruits and vegetables are a sight to see. They are works of art sometimes taking hours to complete as a gift for the effigies of Jesus and Mary; some are hundreds of years old and are very sacred. I wonder how many hundreds of pounds of Frankincense are used during this holy period. You can smell the incense, hear the band, and then you know a procession is near. The bands sound like a mafia funeral. I won’t miss the processions coming by my door after midnight. Last night at 2:30 on the morning it sounded like a tuba was in my bedroom. My entire apartment was shaking room the music. If I hadn’t heard the music I would have thought we were in an earthquake! The floats weigh nearly 2500 pounds and takes approximately 50-people to carry them. Some processions last for 12-hours! I’m told the heavier the float for the cucuruchos, the more sins he has committed throughout the year. Then men carry floats of Jesus. The women carry the Virgin Mary. It is an honor and a small fee to carry these floats. The carnival atmosphere offers everything but the rides! I’m not joking…….vendors sell everything from balls, toys, cotton candy, noise makers, grilled corn, popcorn, pizza, etc, etc, etc. The police presence here as been overwhelming this week. There has been more and more people getting robbed in Antigua. Just wish they would stay past this busy holiday and touristy week.

I don’t do well with the crowds, so I have enjoyed my rooftop terrace for a different experience of viewing the processions. I’ve had several parties throughout the last month. Yesterday we made an appetizer of bacon bits and spicy Hellman’s Mayonnaise on toast with a tomato slice and olive on top. We also made home-made pimento cheese for all.

I’ve enjoyed the month here with all the festivities, but I am anxious for Antigua to get back to somewhat normal for me. I’m upset that my camera was stolen. But hopefully I should get photos of all the festivities from my friends.