When we suddenly find a flight to Antigua, Guatemala after a last-minute change of travel plans, we’ve got to act fast. In the next 24 hours, we need to find lodging, a list of top sightseeing stops, a few active outings, and a way to get around. We do an obligatory Google exploration and then hit the search bars on the websites of a few blogging friends we seem to remember have been here (thank you, Alison and Don and Nicole!), and in a few short hours, we have a preliminary plan.
We quickly see what we expected to see: the cheerful metal of the chicken buses, the alabaster church fronts, the small Mayan women wrapped in jewel-toned garments and stooped under their loads of street wares. The chock-a-block markets, the volcanoes that loom over the town and stud the countryside. The chocolate, the coffee, the jade.
And then a strange thing happens. We really have no major objectives here; in fact, we have a perfect excuse to just be – we’ve had no time to plan! – to take things in, to let the city in through our eyes and our minds for a few days. We slooowww down, and J patiently lets me stop and photograph things that do not tell a typical kind of travel story.
Writers and readers love whole, substantial things – buildings and shrines, temples and monuments. Histories, records, narratives. The more we amble aimlessly around Antigua, the more I am drawn to its pieces, and the bits that draw me the most are the walls – both the scuffed-up sides of ordinary buildings and the decaying exteriors of the enormous number of ruins in this earthquake-terrorized town.
What draws me so insistently to these panels of imperfection? At home, I like modern architecture and clean lines, sleek surfaces and a dearth of clutter, yet the chipped and faded paint on the crumbling walls pulls me in, as do the hulking structures, half hollowed out, strewn around the town, their deterioration conjuring the past even as they sit among the trappings of modern life.
They please the eye first, a patchwork of color and texture, a random splash of shapes not specifically formed by man. The elements have crafted this art; the rain has faded the reds, the volcanic dirt has darkened the yellows, the brush of body parts and clothing has burnished the blues. Then they begin to work on memory, evoking time gone by both here and everywhere – the rise and fall of civilizations, of peoples and ideas.
Which color came first? Was it the oxidized reds and ochres that appear most frequently? The yellows seem old, too, and so soft, almost as if they were done in colored pencil.
I imagine the whites being added later, maybe the blues also, as later generations cooled the colors down, an attempt to add a little crisp cleanness to the hot, dusty town perhaps.
Paul Cooper, writing in a BBC art and culture article, says “[ruins] are places an observer can get lost, where time slips away.” I feel this happening at the sanctuary of San Francisco, a complex of religious structures outside of the main streets that is without question my favorite place in town.
There is a functioning church here, a faded beauty after multiple earthquakes altered its form over the years, but it’s the gardens around the church where a trance sets in and time does slip away. There are fields of stone rising from the earth, heaving up from the grass and among the palm trees.
Bougainvillea languishes on a shattered stairwell; splintered archways admit huge ovals of sky, and more gaping holes yawn in pitted walls. New green growth sprouts from dirt-filled crevices between stone and brick; I’m transfixed by the apposition of destruction and regrowth.
At a certain point, though, I snap to, and begin to question my infatuation with the decay. Is this like disaster tourism, wanting to exalt for the sake of art and literature what was a horrific time for generations of Guatemalans? Am I imposing a developed world appreciation for those “artistic” mottled walls on the modest city shops when they are really just a result of poverty, a fix that is simply unaffordable?
Cooper comes to my rescue on the first count. “Mankind has always lived among its own ruins. Since our earliest history, we have explored ruined places, feared them and drawn inspiration from them, and we can trace that complex fascination in our art and writing.” I study the pockmarked walls again and decide they have been left this way on purpose, and thankfully so. They are stunning and warm, simple and inviting.
We do hike our volcano, climb up to the cross on a hilltop overlooking the town, stray into a church or two, but for the most part, this stay is all about wandering and wondering for me.
Antigua – so aptly named – is a reminder that we carry the past, both good and bad, with us always. The things we build may not last what the earth throws at them either, but what is left has its own beauty and power. Especially here in Antigua.
equinoxio21 said:
To just “be” is a good way to travel. No particular plan. Just walk around and you will find marvels… 🙂
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lexklein said:
I very much agree! I’m always afraid Ill miss the one BIG thing there is to see anywhere, though, so I do tend to do a little research and try to see whatever a place is really known for. At the same time, I think we can get too caught up in checking off places, so I try to find a balance. This trip it all worked out great!
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equinoxio21 said:
Balance is the right word… Good.
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Green Global Trek said:
That has definitely happened to us when we just decided to wing it, and then afterwards realised we had missed quite a few things we would have probably enjoyed. Then again, we sometimes do that deliberately.. as in choosing a bird park instead of the (crowded) Taj Mahal 😉 and zero regrets on that decision.
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Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com said:
I LOVE, LOVE this! You and I are attracted to the same camera subjects and you’ve captured them so beautifully. And now I wonder, “Why hasn’t Guatemala been on my travel list?”
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lexklein said:
Oh, thank you, Janis! I am mightily attracted to things falling apart for whatever reason. As for Guatemala being on a list, it’s the kind of place that’s easy to put off. I knew Antigua was there, and the countryside, and even Tikal in the north, but I always figured I’d go there “in the future” because it was close and easy. I’m glad we moved it right up the list and went. I don’t know about your fares from there, but I got an email blast about $122 round-trip flights and jumped! So glad I did.
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Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com said:
I’ve never jumped on one of those special deals out of fear that they aren’t legit (instead, I’d prefer to agonize over every detail and be consumed with worry that I’ll make the wrong decision). Do you follow some companies/organizations that you’ve learned to trust? I love the IDEA of being spontaneous like that.
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lexklein said:
Airfarewatchdog is where I found this one. Scott’s Cheap Flights is another good option. I learned to trust these fares (but I still buy them directly from the airlines once I see them) after our son scored some amazing trips! He went to Japan for several hundred dollars one November, to Portugal for a weekend (from Denver, no less!) and many, many more places for pennies on the dollar. Give it a try sometime!
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lexi@thelifebus said:
I LOVE this post both the photography and the message you write about. Very thought provoking and beautiful in many ways, Glad you’re able to relax after some very stressful days for you. Que les vayen bien 🙂
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Lexi. The photo opportunities were incredible and moved me to more thought than usual – haha! So glad we made the move to go here amid all the SE Asia chaos we had dealt with.
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Cheryl Capaldo Traylor said:
Gorgeous breathtaking photos! Lexi, I stand in awe at you. You truly inspire me by the way you live. I was thinking about how amazing it is that you decided this trip within 24 hours and pulled it off. I admire your resilience and tenacity. I really do. Such a thoughtful commentary here, too. As a lover of ruins, I have pondered some of these same thoughts.
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lexklein said:
You are too nice – seriously! I actually think this was one of the easiest moves I ever made. Motivated by disappointment and urged on by super cheap airfares, we just jumped. I liked the loosey-goosey way we attacked things once there also; it might have to become more of a habit!
The ruins … wow! I’ve seen bigger ones and more famous ones, but something about the empty shells of the buildings and the faded paint just got to me this time. It really got me thinking about what the “mere” in mere mortals really means. We build our lives and these edifices and think we have so much control and power, but they can be destroyed by a single shudder of the earth.
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restlessjo said:
Those gardens are a place to dream alright 🙂 🙂 And the dog made me smile. So focused! Somebody must be putting his dinner out 🙂 I’ve never been to the Caribbean, Lexie, but I have to wonder why. So glad it’s working out well for you. Next episode please!
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lexklein said:
Isn’t the dog adorable? He was on an outside windowsill and just chillin’ away. He didn’t even blink an eye when I stuck my camera in his face. I loved the contrast with his pink wall also! 🙂
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restlessjo said:
Sorry- it’s Central America, isn’t it? What a nitwit! 🙂
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lexklein said:
A little piece of it touches the Caribbean! And the western side is on the Pacific, which makes the fact that Antigua sits at over 5000 feet (1533 m) of elevation in the highlands even more interesting.
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restlessjo said:
It looks fabulous 🙂 🙂
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J.D. Riso said:
I think that simply being is the best itinerary of all. We’re so conditioned to have a list of things to do/see. I’m definitely guilty of that. The older I get, the more I loosen that grip, however. Antigua looks like my kind of place. I love ruins. This made me think of my 4 years in Budapest. I never got tired of wandering the derelict streets. Some of the buildings still had bullet holes in them. It’s not leering at misfortune but rather honoring the past.
Guatemala is the country that intrigues me the most in Central America. Do you think it’s safe for a solo female? I’d avoid Guatemala City, of course.
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lexklein said:
You would love it there, Julie. I was reminded of Budapest (which I also adored) multiple times, particularly by the empty shells of buildings that are scattered around. I am also getting better at not having an agenda – in real life as well as while traveling! I don’t always succeed, but this trip was a great time to experiment with a more relaxed mode of travel.
I may even book more spontaneous trips like this in the future. Our older son used to see a great airfare and just grab it, flying to Portugal or Alaska or even Tokyo one time for a few days for a few hundred bucks and just seeing whatever he saw.
I do think Guatemala would be safe for a solo female. Our daughter was working in Guatemala City for two weeks a couple of years ago, and she made her way to Antigua for the middle weekend and was totally comfortable by herself. I would have walked home at night by myself in Antigua; the men were respectful, and there were always people around. I can’t speak for other parts of the country, but for example, we got a ride out to Pacaya Volcano one day, and that, too (the ride and the hike), felt very safe and manageable alone.
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Curt Mekemson said:
I like to think there can be a beauty in growing older, Lexi, that wrinkles show personality, that time builds character. I feel the same way about old buildings and communities. You did a great job of capturing the beauty. Those ancient walls could be seen as a study in modern art. And the dog— a slice of life. Your roof shot leading off to the volcano is pure art. Glad you found a substitute for Asia. Can you imagine being on one of those cruise ships now? –Curt
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Curt! I did see the walls as pure art – like canvases in many a modern art museum. The dog! I stopped dead in my tracks when I walked past him. He didn’t even twitch an eye or a muscle; he just lay there contemplating life on the street from his skinny little windowsill perch. I loved him – and how could he have had a better background than that vibrant wall?!
I cannot imagine being on one of those cruise ships – now or ever, in fact! But now would be awful indeed. We had rebooked through Tokyo when Hong Kong canceled flights, and now Japan has the second highest number of cases. Still, I would not have worried about the virus too much – just the hassles and, from what my local friends tell me, an atmosphere of desertion. We’ll go back when it’s lively again!
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Curt Mekemson said:
The dog was perfect, Lexi. I am always looking for dogs and cats to photo on my journeys. As for travel in Asia, now, I couldn’t agree more. Dealing with all of the details of cancelled flights and everything else would just be too much of a hassle. Especially given everywhere else there is to travel in the world. I am completely happy hiking into the wilderness outside of my back door and certainly hanging out on Oregon and Califonia’s coast as I am now. –Curt
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Green Global Trek said:
Lexie, your photos are magnificent. I love the one of the roof and volcano ~ such a beautiful composition, and the one of the dog in the window, and the last one of the bells.
From years of living in Granada, Nicaragua, I too appreciate the layers of colour, texture and history on the sides of buildings and houses. So much depth and so much more interesting than a flat and perfect surface that we are more used to in Western culture.
One of the most interesting markets we have ever been to, was in Northern Guatemala, Chichicastanego. In the mountains, with different ethnicities coming from miles around with beautiful artisanal textiles to sell. Amazing!! I would gladly return to Guatemala for more. One of the highlights of Guatemala for us was the variety and abundance of different ethnicities.
So great that you guys were able to do a quick turn around and create a new trip when the other one was no longer going to work. Persistence and flexibility are great life skills which get put into gear when quick action is needed to turn around a tough situation and you did just that!
Peta
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Peta! While this quickie trip could not possibly live up to what we were so eager to do in SE Asia, it was a nice consolation in the days right after our difficult decision and kept our minds off the sadness of that. I was quite favorably impressed with Antigua in every way, and even though the few other parts of the country that we saw were desperately poor, we found it to be an easy and pleasant place to travel.
I would love to see some of the major markets, like Chichicastenango, and head farther north next time to Tikal (although that almost seems easier to reach from Belize or Mexico). Coincidentally, I read an article in The New Yorker on the flight home about the incredible number of languages in Guatemala and how immigration interpreters in the U.S. are starting to get a grip on the fact that these are languages and cultures of their own, not dialects of Spanish, which is how they’ve been treated (thereby often losing any chance of asylum since they have no idea what they are saying “yes” or “no” to). My point is that, yes, there are so many different ethnicities there, and it’s fascinating to me from both a linguistic and sociological standpoint.
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Jolandi Steven said:
I am more attracted to ruins and decay than the slick lines of newly built buildings, so the way you decided to be in and capture the city definitely resonate with me, Lex. I am also, more often than not, inclined to wander aimlessly than to rush through a pre-planned itinerary. The photographs from my travels I treasure the most are those of close-ups revealing the details instead of the big picture. It is such a different and often very rewarding way of looking at things or of experiencing a place. So glad you are enjoying this trip, and allowing it to surprise you.
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lexklein said:
I totally agree about the photos; I almost always find the ones of whole buildings or monuments or whatever to be very boring and in some ways not even representative of the feeling of a place. After a while, a lot of churches and statues look alike! The small details, though, hold so many more evocative memories for me.
I’m pretty good at aimless wandering, but J only has about 2-3 days of that in him for any given place! So this was a perfect destination to practice the “just being” style of tourism since there were not a zillion special sights to see anyway.
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Anna said:
Your photos are just stunning, and have reignited an interest to get back here, and to Central America again in the future.
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Anna! Did you travel the whole region in Central America? We’ve now been to 3-4 countries there, but seeing how fast and inexpensively we could get there now that we live in Texas was an eye-opener, and I hope to get back for more soon!
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Anna said:
Unfortunately didn’t have time for the whole region – started in Cancun and went through Belize, Guatemala and Honduras then stopped there. If it wasn’t sooooo far from Perth I’d love to go back to where I left and continue on all the way to Colombia! You are so lucky to live in Texas, relatively close for you!
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Lisa Dorenfest ~ One Ocean At A Time said:
Just Be; my favorite way to travel.
I felt that we were on the road together virtually as I had similar experiences, emotions, etc while visiting ruins in Mexico while you were writing this. You’ve expressed my sentiments perfectly. So well that when I get around to documenting my experiences, I may simply link to your post and say ‘what Lexie said’.
I laughed after I gasped in awe when I saw your last image. I imagined myself standing right next to you, shooting the scene horribly, head-on with my micro-four-thirds camera, only to be green with envy later on when viewing what you have composed so beautifully with your mobile phone. The shot is magnificent, I would hang it on my wall if I had one, as are all of your colorful walls in various states of decay. And I aspire to take something as beautiful as the composition of the rooftop leading to the volcano or as adorable as the pup in the windowsill. Both capture Antigua so perfectly.
I also envy your ability to craft such a heartfelt story on the road. I find myself struggling, as always, trying to document my experiences in real-time, needing instead to return to the boat, as we just have, to digest what I’ve seen and to write about it weeks or months after the fact. Hell, my blog is still in Panama and I haven’t even responded to all the comments yet. I am a horrible person.
Love from Marina Chiapas. Always a pleasure to read you!!!
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lexklein said:
I’m usually terrible at writing while in the midst of a trip. This one was so short 😦 that it didn’t even really feel like I was gone, though. I usually need to absorb a bit, but this time I knew I wanted a focus on this one theme as opposed to writing a travel guide for a place that’s already been written about a ton. (Not that I ever really write travel guide-y posts, but I just felt I wanted to home in on a very small bit.) So that made it easier to post quickly as my thoughts were forming as I was seeing.
You are hilariously deluded about the quality of my photography vs. yours! I’m telling you – my good shots are few and far between. I do TRY, and I guess a few succeed. My fave is the dog! And he handed me the shot and just stayed there all calm and cool while I composed and kept snapping!
Good luck with marina business! Can’t wait to see what YOU post next!
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Lisa Dorenfest ~ One Ocean At A Time said:
Cracked me up with your ‘hilariously deluded comment’. Honestly, you have a great eye for details that totally elude me. Thank you for not writing travel guide-y posts. I love you for that.
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lexklein said:
Now you’re cracking me up with that thank you! 🙂
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Alison and Don said:
I so enjoyed seeing Antigua through your eyes. How perfect to have the time there to just be – I do believe that’s when we see a place the best – when we’re not really looking for anything specific. I love all the photos of the walls – each a beautiful abstract painting. And the dog on the window sill – just perfect.
Thanks for the shout out.
Happy and safe travels
Alison
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lexklein said:
You have no idea how much your posts on Antigua helped me! With restaurants, with seeing what I might like to visit, etc. I did not comment on your posts because I was in the frantic 24 hours of trying to regroup after our trip change, but they were so helpful and awesome. We are still in the throes of semi-fast travel with jobs and kids at demanding stages of life (not like little kids, but now we have a grand baby coming and a wedding, etc.), but someday, I want to be Alison and Don and just plunk down somewhere for weeks at a time and just BE. This was a good practice round!
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awtytravels said:
I too am fascinated by ruins. Not ruins from old times for, I guess, they’re a dime a dozen over in Europe, but you’ll have me drool over industrial landscapes, abandoned factories and anything Soviet. It’s really because of what you hint at, Lexi, the fascination with what “was” and what “could’ve been”. Looking to read more!
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lexklein said:
Now that you draw a distinction, I’d say some ruins fascinate me more than others also. All the old Greek and Roman stuff is great, but I’m with you that they are not as irresistible as some others. For me, part of the allure here was the way they sprouted from green earth as if they were splinters working their way back out of the skin after being buried a while. I also am more attracted to, say, the bombed-out ruins of Budapest (which Julie also mentioned) versus the nice, neat Parthenon or Ephesus or all the Roman stuff. Have you been to Sarajevo? Nice collection of pitted old things along with some ghastly ex-Communist stuff!
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awtytravels said:
Yes and some bone chilling legacy of the war too…
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Sue Slaght said:
Lexie it seems that in this last minute change of plans you have been able to slow down. To really take in the details and reflect. We often have such a packed itinerary I come home unable to remember exactly what we saw where. Your photos are creative and definitely inspire a trip. We have not been to Guatemala.
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lexklein said:
Guatemala has always been on my mental list, but we’d always put it off. I’m so glad something pushed us into going! And not having planned more than a few things, we fell more easily into this slower, more easy-going mode of travel, and we rather liked it!
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pam@ichoosethis said:
Love all the photos chica – the chicken buses, the volcano, the pup, the decaying walls, the church, all of them!! The last one with the bells is super fab – I like the Elvis like figurine in the corner. 🙂 I have a thing for old buildings with all the faded colors and textures too. I am soo soo glad you were able to get to some place you would enjoy. When you all go to SE Asia in the fall, you will enjoy it more without the weight of the virus that shall not be named. Just “being” on a vacation is fun….Sean is good with that for about a day – I am impressed J can do it for 2 to 3.
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lexklein said:
Gracias, amiga! I must say J was not quite as good at just “being” as I was, but he was remarkably relaxed! I think the toll of all that SE Asia mess made us both want to chill out more than usual. Granted, we still walked over 12 miles every day because we are still go-go-go kinds of people, but we weren’t always going to see special sights. We were just wandering, which was awesome!
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pam@ichoosethis said:
Wandering is the best! I know you aren’t a shopper, but did u buy anything? Glad J was relaxed given the work stress on top of everything else!
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lexklein said:
I didn’t buy anything major. I did pick up a pair of earrings made out of lava when we climbed Pacaya Volcano (that sounds weird but they’re actually cute – silver with black lava), and I brought some coffee and chocolate home as gifts for a few family members. I poked around a little, but I am really not in buying mode these days!
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pam@ichoosethis said:
I get it – I did buy 8 tubes of retin – A in Mexico and a fringy suede purse. I was proud of my self!
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Liesbet @ Roaming About said:
Stunning photos, Lexie! Is the photo of the volcano taken from your accommodation?
I’m so glad this getaway worked out splendidly, yet for the wrong reasons. Antigua is a mesmerizing, fascinating, and colorful city. You did it justice by staying for a little while and meandering into the depths of it.
Just being can be very rewarding! When I was younger, I was always worried I’d miss something when visiting a city or country and my itineraries were jam-packed. Over the years, I’ve learned to travel more slowly and more often than not, when Mark and I arrive in a new place – especially in cities – we just wander around, without a map. We love it. And, we’re too lazy to figure things out ahead of time. 🙂
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lexklein said:
Yes! We climbed up on a catwalk on top of our hotel the last morning, and that’s when I got that shot.
It’s funny you say you are too lazy to plan things out now … I am feeling that way, too! I used to have so much on our schedule, and now I just note a few important or iconic or representative places, and beyond that, we play it more by ear these days. I used to force myself to go to some places that really weren’t even that interesting to me because that’s what we were supposed to see. I like our new M.O. much better!
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Bama said:
I remember learning about Antigua for the first time from Nicole’s posts — I think when she was there the volcano actually erupted — and I was immediately captivated by its beauty and the plethora of heritage buildings. You know how much I adore structures from hundreds or thousands of years ago, and in fact in many cases — to a certain extent — I prefer them in a state of ruin for this allows modern-day visitors to imagine the long, often tumultuous history these buildings had endured. On a side note, I’m really glad that this trip to Guatemala turned out to be a nice one, and the weather gods seemed to be on your side this time.
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lexklein said:
You’re right! We had great weather, and I hadn’t even paused to feel any gratitude for that! I guess I only notice the weather when it’s bad – haha.
I would imagine these ruins would appeal to you very much, and you would actually do more research into what happened on some of these fascinating places! I read various placards and looked a few things up later, but this time we just kind of absorbed what we were seeing in the moment.
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AndysWorldJourneys said:
wow it looks so gorgeous. And i think overplanning is a serious issue, especially for me! what a place to spend time in. I think in some ways ruins are way more special than restored buildings. this post proves it!
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lexklein said:
I’m definitely getting better at not over-planning and as I remarked above, it’s partly out of a new laziness! This time I had a better excuse, having planned the whole trip and then leaving for it a little over a day later! Thanks for checking this place out, Andy!
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twobrownfeet said:
Such a beautiful post! It stirred something in me. I love visiting ruins and wondering how they might have looked in their heyday. Some of the patterns look like petroglyphs. Or it’s just me trying to look for something. Looks like such a nice getaway. Our Korea trips turn out like this. I really want to try slow travel. Thanks for showing me how it’s done!
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Cheryl! The ruins themselves really stirred something in me also. I went back and looked at the wall photos and, yes!, I could easily see what look like petroglyphs in there! I don’t think I can hold myself up as an expert on slow travel yet, but this was a nice step in the right direction.
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Jeff Bell said:
That dog photo is so good. You should frame those colorful abstract shots of peeling walls.
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Jeff! I LOVED that dog photo, which he made very easy by just lying there perfectly calmly while I snapped away! The walls, too, were so much fun to photograph; I think after about 50 shots, my husband was kind of rolling his eyes, though!
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Jeff Bell said:
I have a friend in Bangkok who did a photo exhibition with abstract photos and got to go to New York as part of it. He made quite a lot of money off them. Your husband wont be rolling your eyes when you are famous 🙂
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lexklein said:
Hmmm, I will take another look at those! 🙂 Actually, it’s funny, I have been taking very abstract shots of nature for a long time – stuff like tree bark, marshland from the air, etc. where you really can’t tell what it is. I have always thought they’d make great art, but my photo quality is just not there like yours is. Someday when I have more time, I will take some more lessons and try this for real.
I also remembered late yesterday that I had not answered your comment about going to Spanish school in Antigua. There are so many schools there! That must have been an amazing time. Did you feel it was worthwhile and effective beyond the fun of living there and gaining some basic knowledge?
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Jeff Bell said:
It was perhaps the best experience of my life. I went at age 25, learned all about the culture, made lots of Guatemalan friends, traveled all over the region, and started to understand the complex situation of immigration and poverty in Latin America – in addition to learning Spanish. I’d recommend it to anyone, even someone who only has two weeks to spare.
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Jeff Bell said:
Here is a link to my friend’s art if you are interested. https://www.bryce-art.com/the-colours-of-emotion
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lexklein said:
I’ll check it out!
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CompassAndCamera said:
Your photos of Antigua are beautiful — I, too, love the dog! I can see why you’re drawn to all the walls, with their fading colors and decay. Each one is like a story, lost to time but open to imagination. Love that you’re just wandering and wondering. I think the whole world would be in a better state of mind if everyone could do the same. We took a similar approach in Paris (had only a couple things on our to-do list) and enjoyed every minute. Thanks for another great post!
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lexklein said:
Hi Kelly, and thanks! Antigua was the perfect place to just wander and see whatever we happened upon. I’m sure we missed some things that are on various tourist lists, but … so be it! The more I travel, the more I realize I don’t need to see every museum or old church or whatever. Paris is definitely that way for me now, and what a joy! No more need to see the famous stuff, and it’s the daily street scenes and life that are so much fun!
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Dave Ply said:
Interesting, isn’t it, the things we’re drawn to. Ruins are a connection to our past; perhaps a sense that we are in it for the long run, despite what seems like imminent collapse on a day to day basis. And the textures form their own kind of art, almost but not quite random. It looks like an introspective way to while away a few days.
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lexklein said:
That is a very comforting thought, Dave – that “we are in it for the long run, despite what seems like imminent collapse on a day to day basis!” Particularly right now. I’ll add that to my list of reasons to enjoy ruins in the future!
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Manja Mexi Mexcessive said:
Oh my, this is so beautiful, Lexi, the images and your musings. You’ve given us paintings. This is how we go and what remains, isn’t it.
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Manja! I loved the scenes there, from colored walls to old ruins to volcanoes to cobblestone streets, and more. I guess you can tell I was moved in some way as it actually prompted a blog post – rarity of rarities these days! 🙂
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morishige said:
It’s kinda hard to experience the unpredictables while traveling nowadays, for everything can be easily arranged.
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lexklein said:
I guess that’s why it’s fun to wander off the beaten path!
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Bespoke Traveler said:
Oh I so love this contemplative post of yours about looking at the bits and pieces and finding entire stories within them! Those crumbling walls look something out of the surrealist art movement. And I’m enthralled by the beautiful vistas you’ve captured throughout your Antigua explorations.
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lexklein said:
I really did find the walls to be pieces of art; I could have photographed them and only them the entire time we were there! It was an even prettier little city than I expected, and it makes me eager to see a few other places I’ve been pushing off, like Oaxaca, Mexico, for example. I hope to use this extra vacation time we now have to see places like this closer to home!
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Bespoke Traveler said:
I almost went to Guatemala one time, but it never worked out. Your post has placed it again in the forefront of my interests. As for Oaxaca, I think you would love it there. It’s a beautiful region in both landscape and the generosity of its people. I had such a marvelous time there getting to know the food and the natural geography.
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badfish said:
Glad to see you’re still at it. Love the wall shots. Dog’s eyes, spot on. I’m now living in a villa in Bali (if you get this way).
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lexklein said:
Still at it in a VERY abbreviated way! But yes, I do wander on here every once in a while, and it’s worth it to get a brief word from old WordPress friends! I knew you were headed to Bali when you retired (a year or more ago?), but I’m glad you are still there and settled in. You can be sure I will contact you if/when I ever get to Bali, a place I absolutely need to get to sooner rather than later. Hope you are doing well (besides just being in Bali, which is by definition doing well!)
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Victoria@international expat said:
This is something incredible! Thanks for your photos. They are impressive!
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lexklein said:
Thank you for your nice comment! It was a beautiful place to visit and photograph.
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ninazee78 said:
These pictures are beautiful. I especially like the bells!
I realize that they don’t have a lot of money but you see walls like this in Italy as well. Based on the gardens, which look well kept, that they have pride in the space.
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lexklein said:
Thanks – that little nook with the bells captured my attention for a long time!
I agree that the grounds of many places really do exhibit the pride that their owners and caretakers have for them. Their crumbling walls are definitely not a sign of neglect – just (good) old age!
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Christie said:
This is a beautiful post Lexi! Wandering around is the best thing we can do to really see the beauty of a new place. The patched paintings remind me of the Pompeii’s walls.. same colours, pretty much same shades. Not sure about the age LOL
Great photos, especially the one with the day-dreaming dog. He looks trapped in the world he might not belong to..
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Christie! I really like your observations on the dog; he does have a faraway look in his eyes that makes me wonder what world he is thinking about!
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bluebrightly said:
That’s what I call thinking on your feet (and where would we be without search engines?). Your writing and the photographs are both so well done – I appreciate that. The third photo, with the roofline echoing the mountain peak – wonderful. I’ve always been a fan of the bits and pieces, so the wall photos appeal a lot, along with your observations about why we’re so drawn to ruins and pockmarked surfaces. I think those places provide an antidote to modern, digitized life, in a similar way that being in the wild does. Cooper’s thoughts are interesting – thanks for including those ideas and quotes. A beautiful post! I look forward to more.
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lexklein said:
Thanks again! Gosh, it seems like eons ago that we made this trip, back when the world seemed only a little bit scary! I like your theory on why we gravitate toward ruins and old, imperfect things; I’ve always felt this way, and Antigua was one of the best examples of it.
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bluebrightly said:
So you’re “safe” at home now, good! 😉
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Zambian Lady said:
It was interesting to see Guatemala through your eyes. I have never seen non-judgemental material. All you hear about Guatemala is violence and drugs, so this is refreshing.
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lexklein said:
That makes me sad! (the part about you never seeing anything but negative news about Guatemala) … but it also makes me happy that you enjoyed seeing something more positive here. I’m such a big believer that every place in this world has beauty and value and charm, no matter what its politics or socioeconomic status are. We all fix in our minds what we read in the news; in fact when we took our kids to Colombia a few years ago, some friends were very nervous for us even thought the drug trade there has massively diminished and tourism was totally safe. (And what a gorgeous country that was!) Anyway, I’m babbling, but thanks for giving ME your outside look at how a country like Guatemala is viewed by others.
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carolinehelbig said:
This is such a beautiful post Lexie. There surely is a silver lining to having no time to plan
. I love your wanderings and wonderings.
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lexklein said:
Thanks! It was a lovely interlude, and I’m so glad we did get away somewhere before the big wave of COVID hit us. I’m kind of liking the no-plan method of travel – may have to keep at least some of that idea going forward!
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carolinehelbig said:
Hopefully we’ll remember some of the things we discovered and behaviours we changed when we come out the other side of this!
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restlessjo said:
I just had another revel in those second and third photos 🙂 🙂 Stay well, Lexie!
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lexklein said:
Thanks, Jo! You stay healthy and safe/sane, too!
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restlessjo said:
🤗💕
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