Guatamala
Coffee and Antigua
Jan 13, 2020
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| The port was pleasant but well removed from the main attractions |
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| So we took a bus tour of a coffee plantation |
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| These buses are used by the people for transit. They are old retired school buses that are still serviceable. They reminded me a little of Jeepneys in the Philippines only much larger (This picture is actually a copy of a print that our guide circulated) |
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| Guatemala is a mountainous country with passive and active volcanoes |
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| The difference can be seen at a distance - if there is a lack of greenery at the top, it's active! |
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| The smoke is from crop burning. |
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| Crop burning is a huge issue in Guatemala, deeply rooted in cultural beliefs that burning the residues that remain after harvesting “clean” the land, wiping it fresh for a new season of planting. Many experts disagree and say it promotes erosion |
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| The volcano spews smoke and hot gasses every few minutes! |
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| The coffee plantations are in the mountains - because that's where coffee grows best! |
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| Our guide at Filedelfia Estates |
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| The traditional way to dry beans is in the sun (the tan things) |
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| Zig Zag roads allow vehicles the ability to drive up the steep mountains |
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| There are some plants arrayed for tours to see what the coffee plants actually look like |
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| They had us pick a few beans and remove the hulls |
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| The tour continued into the processing plant where some antique equipment is displayed . . . |
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| . . . and some modern equipment |
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| The violin player from the ship was on our tour and had fun with the requirement to wear a hair net! |
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| Following the tour, we had a splendid lunch on the patio |
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| The next stop was Antigua and Iglesia la Merced . . . |
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| . . . The Church of Mercy |
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| Our Lady of Fatima |
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| The name caught my eye! |
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| The arch of Santa Catalina |
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| The former convent of Santa Catalina |
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| The Central Park (Plaza Mayor) |
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| The city government building |
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The Camioneta - city buses |
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| The Cathedral - this is the main entrance of what has been restored. The rest was destroyed by and earthquake a couple hundred years ago |
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| The inside of the Cathedral |
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| The front steps opening into the Central park |
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| The majority of the cathedral remains unrestored |
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| These four sopranos were very good, each had a distinct voice |
Tomorrow - Leon, Nicaragua
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