The picturesque streets of Antigua, Guatemala seemed to welcome me back like a long lost friend. Earlier this year I received an email from a Japanese friend. She was planning to spend a month in Antigua in the summer studying Spanish at a language school. Why don’t I come down and visit? I hadn’t been back to Guatemala or Japan for about fifteen years, although I had lived in both countries years ago, so this was an invitation I was happy to accept. I spent a week there in June.
When I lived in Guatemala City, teaching at an American school, Antigua was just an hour drive away. I had visited often on a day trip but seldom longer. It was a delight to be in no hurry, with no particular destination in mind, as we wandered the streets. The long, low, simple structures were washed with warm colors of mustard gold, deep or sky blues, and earthy reds, hues that echo the hues of Mexico. And of course, the most striking feature of the landscape is the shapes of the looming volcanoes, Fuego and Acatenango.
A favorite breakfast place, that my friend had found before I came, was Café Bohème. Spiraling up a couple of narrow stairways were rooftop tables with a stunning view. Fuego put out a small cloud of smoke regularly while we ate. I later learned that Fuego puffs every five minutes.
And there’s a feel of going back in history there to old Spain, with the notable architecture, mostly churches and municipal buildings, some in better shape than others.
A friend from my Guatemala days took us to a macadamia farm for lunch. I ordered their classic brunch, macadamia pancakes with hibiscus tea. Yum!
On the outskirts of town: a park to the north and the busy Central Market to the west.
Antigua’s famous Arch, Arco de Santa Catalina, was built in the 17th century. It connected the Santa Catalina convent to a school.
Thanks for reading and your visit! I took the summer off of blogging this year. I’m catching up with this recent trip and will soon post some journeys from past years I’ve yet to share.
Older Antigua posts: Antigua, Antigua doors and windows, Antigua saints and ruins, Semana Santa.
Please do not download or reproduce images from this site. ©
Your comments are welcome!
Popular posts/stats/categories/map
Email me at: Ruth@RuthRosenfeld.com
Follow me on: Facebook Instagram BlueSky Blog
I know you love Antigua, so glad to see you returned. Thanks for the revisit. Maggie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Maggie. Sometimes a revisit is good for the heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the tour of this town. It’s excellent that you were able to spend many days with a friend in a country you once lived in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was an unexpected treat. Glad you enjoyed it, Neil! Thanks for coming along.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome back, Ruth! I’ve only visited Antigua while in Guatemala several years ago, and it’s such a beautiful, picturesque little city. The arch is iconic, and I remember having a delicious meal (pepian?) for lunch, with some surprisingly salsa to boot! Can’t wait to read more of your recent adventures soon 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a little treasure, isn’t it? Glad to spark some memories for you, Rebecca.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to have you back and sharing these atmospheric photos from a town I loved! I’m not at all surprised that you were keen to revisit it. I especially enjoyed seeing all your street scenes. Your breakfast spot sounds lovely and I also really like the sound of those macadamia pancakes 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarah. Wandering the streets is something we have in common. And Antigua is a wonderful place to do that, as you know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love visiting places with you – your photos are excellent and give a real sense of the area. Thanks for sharing!
Barbara
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Barbara! I appreciate your coming along.
LikeLike
Your photographs capture a fetching earthiness of the city very well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. That’s a good description. It definitely has a certain character.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lucky! I wish a friend would invite me abroad! It’s nice to return to a beloved place and have it feel like you’re going home, or getting a welcome back hug. Love the photo of Fuego coughing up smoke.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, a nice surprise to a place I loved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Visiting a friend is a great excuse to travel somewhere! Besides, it would be rude to turn down an invitation, right? Beautiful captures. I haven’t heard/seen much of Antigua.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. Such a photographic town. It’s probably the most visited place in Guatemala besides Tikal. Loved going back and a great way to see a friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful invitation to receive! And how fun to just wander the streets, eat while watching a volcano, and photograph such historic architecture. I look forward to reading more about your time in Guatemala!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading, Diana! It was a delightful sojourn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely to go back somewhere to re-experience it, and to see your friend. It looks like a lovely city, and those pancakes look delicious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for coming along, Hannah! The pancakes were tasty, and I brought home some macadamia butter too.
LikeLike