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DIA SEIS
Sunday mornings are for sleeping in.
One would think, right?
Then why were my eyes wide open at 5:30 a.m.?
So…I edited pictures, checked Facebook, studied Spanish (of course), cooked a big breakfast (that I ate in bed), watched television and listened to the neighbor’s (very loud) conversations…
Finally, I just got up and dressed for the day. The sun was shining and the sky a brilliant blue…so perfect, in fact, that it was the first day I was able to wear shorts.
As I walked out of my apartment, I ran into a young man that I had met while touring my new school’s facilities. He was from Brighton, England and he was very impressed that I actually knew where his hometown was located. I was disappointed to find that he had decided to go with another school, but as I had learned, everyone has to find the right fit! Jack and I parted ways and I headed to the restaurant that I had had lunch on my first day, El Troccoli…their caprese panini was calling my name!
From my vantage point at the table near the window, I marveled at how alive the streets were. People were everywhere! It was obvious, even more so, when I made it down to the Plaza Mayor and from the traffic, that visitors descend on the city during the weekends in droves!
There was a church that I did not have the opportunity to visit two years ago. The Capilla Nuestra Senora de Belen. It’s in the southwestern part of the city and gave me the opportunity for some exercise.
The church sits in a small park and although I found it to be closed, I was still impressed with its architectural elements on the church’s and chapel’s facades.
A couple of blocks away, I stumbled upon Iglesia Escuela de Cristo. Standing in the park across the street, I watched the patrons exit after mass. Noting that I was wearing shorts, I didn’t feel comfortable entering boldly. I hung near the doors and tried to slide in unnoticed, but one of the ushers took his place a few feet away, saying “Adios” to everyone. Finally, I gathered the courage to ask him to if it were okay to take one photo…thank goodness he said yes! I later learned that there is a beautiful convent is on the premises (not open to the public) and this is the church where the wake was held for the Hermano Pedro, Central America’s only saint. For those familiar with Antigua’s architecture, it should look familiar as it was designed by architect Diego de Porres, who designed the Fountain of the Sirens in the Plaza Mayor and other buildings throughout the city.
My next stop was the Sanctuario San Francisco el Grande. We had visited this beautiful church during our last trip and we loved that there are many food and craft vendors within the church grounds. Although the church was closed, I was able to visit the tomb of Santo Hermano Pedro and then made an interesting discovery. What we had missed during our first visit because of the massive crowds on the premises for Semana Santa, was the Museo de Santo Hermano Pedro and ruins. The museum was extremely interesting as were the grounds and ruins. I know that most people might think that the ruins within the city appear to be similar, but I love investigating the uniqueness of each.
Continuing my explorations of the city, I headed in the direction of the Museum of Semana Santa. Wouldn’t you know it’s open one day a month and that day had just passed?
I decided then to make my way toward Casa Santo Domingo passing the ruins of Iglesia de la Concepcion. Near the city’s entrance, I came upon a granizadas cart. Most people would be afraid to eat or drink things from the street in another country, but it sounded so good at the moment as I was sweating profusely, I decided to get one of the icy treats. Almost like a snow cone, the granizada was topped with pineapple and la lechera, sweetened condensed milk. It was extremely refreshing and after sitting on a bench in the shade, I was ready to go to my next stop.
Casa Santa Domingo is a hotel in Antigua, but it also contains a couple of museums and ancient ruins. It was a good thing I was there during that time of day and in the museums because the skies opened up and gave the city a good washing!
The Ruins of Santo Domingo
The Ruins of Santo Domingo
Finally, with aching feet, I was hobbling back to my apartment when I came upon the Plaza Mayor, once again. The park was still bustling and I decided that I might have the strength in me for one more landmark. The 16th century Antigua Guatemala Cathedral. These ruins and church hold a special place in my heart as it was the first thing that my son and I encountered when we arrived two years ago. It was the end of the day and there weren’t many people inside of the cathedral ruins, so I was able to get some beautiful photographs and then say a prayer inside the church.
I then decided that I had seen so much more that I had planned for the day and it was definitely time to take an Aleve, have dinner and put my feet up.
I was here for school, first and foremost, but how can you not want to see everything that this beautiful colonial city is known for?
What I learned: Wear good shoes when traversing the city!
Photo of the day: Antigua Guatemala Cathedral Ruins
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Casa Troccoli
- https://quepasa.gt/casa-troccoli-antigua-guatemala-2/
- Address: 5a Avenida Norte, Antigua, Guatemala
- Hours: 0900-2100, daily
Iglesia de Belen
- https://cvc.cervantes.es/artes/ciudades_patrimonio/antigua/paseo/convento_belen.htm
- Address: Parque de Belen, Antigua, Guatemala
- Hours: Unknown
- Admission: free
Iglesia Escuela de Cristo
- https://www.okantigua.com/escuela-de-cristo-antigua-guatemala/
- Address: 9a Calle Oriente, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
- Hours: unknown
- Admission: free
Santuario San Francisco el Grande and Museo del Hermano Pedro
- https://www.guatevalley.com/que-visitar/museo-del-santo-hermano-pedro-la-antigua-guatemala-sacatepequez
- Address: 7a Calle Oriente, Antigua, Guatemala
- Hours: Museum and ruins, 0900-1200 and 1300-1700, daily. (Church hours may vary)
- Admission: Adults, Q7, Children, Q2 (not verified)
Casa Santo Domingo
- https://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/
- Address: 3a Calle Oriente 28, Centro Histórico, Antigua, Guatemala 03001
- Hours: Museum hours, Monday to Saturday, 0900-1800, Sunday, 1100-1800
- Admission: Adults, foreign, Q40 (about $5.00 USD)
Catedral San Jose
- https://www.guatevalley.com/que-visitar/ruinas-y-catedral-de-san-jose-la-antigua-guatemala-sacatepequez
- Address: 5a alle Oriente 5, Antigua, Guatemala
- Hours: 0900-1700, daily
- Admission: Church, free. Ruins, Adults, national, Q5 (about 65 cents USD), Adults, foreign, Q20 (about $2.50 USD)
