Weekend in Antigua, Guatemala

We took our first driving road trip this past weekend, to Antigua, Guatemala with our friends Woody and Gussie and their 3 great kids. A truly nice family to hang out with in a foreign city.

The Woody and Gussie Show

Two cars, walkie talkies, many adventures later,  we arrived safely, and in time to have dinner at the coolest place in town - the Convento de Santo Domingo.  In a massive thunderous storm, in a spooky dark monastery, unheated, scary, glass coffins with skeletons inside (catacombs but - not.) --- a perfect way to spend Halloween night! If you are interested, here it is: Casa Santo Domingo

But enough about luxury hotels.  The next day was Sunday, Nov. 1, Dia de los dead souls, and we drove  up to a small town called Sumpango.  WOW.  Were we lucky to discover this amazing, spectacular place the one day of the year they show off their kites which are 5 stories high.

It is too beautiful to describe.  Take a look. Click on any picture and it will fill your screen - try it, you will not be disappointed!

The crowd and the kites from afar.

 Close up of my favorite. Isn't it just amazing? The theme is - protect the identity of the country.

But here are some more!

 

 The above is all about domestic violence.

 This one, above, is about saving Mother Earth.

 

Some of the lovely Guatemalans who attended the Sumpango Fair.  We were so fortunate to make it there, the one day this event happens!

 

Simply awesome, in the truest sense of the word. The kites are meant to communicate with the dead.  They used to fly these monsters but these days they are erected and gaped at by people from all over Guatemala. Including campesinos in their Sunday best - a beautiful sight in itself.

It was a unique and memorable event.

Antigua was charming and lovely.  Touristy but wonderful.  Our trip home was eventful in all the worst ways.  A few wrong turns in Guatemala City, fog, storms, and a fallen tree which stopped traffic in both directions for about an hour and a half.  We got back well after dark, which was not our plan at all. Next time, we will make sure that it doesn't rain and a tree doesn't block our path.

Love from Mark and Kathleen