Friday, March 18, 2011

Antigua, Guatemala

There's something deep in my core that tells me tomorrow is a better day to write that blog post or finish that project. That might have something to do (uh, everything to do) with my not posting for such a long time. I'm gonna leave the tendency chillin' in my core in case poking around might uncover some uncomfortable truth. That might not be pleasant!

In a more seriously serious vein, I am mesmerized and in shock and in total awe of what happened in Japan with the earthquake and tsunami. Watching the videos fills me with some kind of inexplicable wonder about the power of nature and the frailty of humankind in the face of it. I don't even know for myself what all it stirs in me, but I can't take my eyes of it. Any one of those towns being so devastated would be a fantastic tragedy, but to see the destruction on such a vast scale is just overwhelming. I'm in earthquake country now in Guatemala. 

You'd think it might make me take a step towards preparedness, but it hasn't. What's up with that. I'll tell you what it reminds me of. What, Broken Record boy? It reminds me of how we can live this temporary life, but not REALLY appreciate how fragile life is, and how tenuous our hold on it is. We know - but we don't know. I grew up in California, where you get used to earthquakes and don't really prepare. But one day, there's gonna be a BIG one, and we aren't going to be ready. And I'm not talking about earthquakes.

I'll write next time about my new life here in beautiful Antigua. All is well with me!

Love,
Dave
 

The arch is one of the more prominent landmarks in Antigua, and that "Volcan Fuego" (Fire Volcano) in the background. All the streets here are cobblestone, which means road repairs are typically a couple of old guys with a wheelbarrow, pick and shovel.
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Inside Panza Verde, one of the nicer hotels. Lauren and I splashed out and stayed here two nights. It's owned by an American guy, and I went there last night for a 10th anniversary party for a local charity.
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One of the MANY churches in Antigua that isn't in ruins. There are probably an equal number that are in ruins. I'll find out the numbers and get back to you!
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The ceiling dome of a church.
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A lifelike statue of Jesus inside a church.
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The walls of Antigua are famous for being old and colorful.
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This is inside the spectacular Casa de Santo Domingo, an incredibly beautiful hotel built on the ruins on a monastery. I happened to run into the videographer of NewsHour, who was here shooting stories about Guatemala for a week. They were shown last week. The 10 minute segments are here and here.
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These candles were set just outside a wedding ceremony in the same hotel
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A wedding at Casa Santa Domingo. Beautiful!
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A local bar/cafe has nightly live music. These two are both from the U.S.
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More soon...

(The End)