Land of Corn, Land of Trees
Antigua, Guatemala
December 26, 2017
We had been to Guatemala only once. That occasion was 14 years ago, on a Thanksgiving cruise from Tampa during which we were pleasantly surprised to be joined by Julie and Steve Lux, as well as Julie’s parents and kids.
The highlight of that visit was a river cruise Steve arranged that exposed us to the terrific beauty and charm (and grinding poverty) of this country.
Today, entering the “land of corn and trees” from the opposite coast, the sensation was similar. Although our primary vessel was a bus rather than a boat, and volcanoes rather than rivers the principal geographic feature, Guatemala again exceeded expectations.
Our destination was the village of Antigua, a far-cry from the ramshackle outpost I had anticipated.
At the base of an active volcano and surrounding the requisite central plaza and cathedral (which we were regrettably unable to enter) is a village of beautiful churches, high-end galleries, and charming cafés, hotels, and restaurants.
Central Plaza, Antigua
Moreover, the town is littered with ruins of previous, and impressive, edifices reminiscent of what I’d expect to find in Spain or Italy.
The town is also, of course, littered with actual litter, and the charm certainly has the peeled-paint and tin-roof rough-edges one would expect in a country ravaged for decades by the meddling of the CIA, its clients, native puppets, opponents, and marionettes at the end of Soviet strings.
The people are very friendly and their coffee is among the best we have tasted. Accompanying us back to the ship was another in what will doubtless be a series of bags of beans and grounds from each of these ports, for us to enjoy and reminisce over this winter.
After partaking the coffee and a light lunch, wandering small, colorful, cafe-lined streets, and exploring several cathedral squares, we hustled a bit to view a few convents and designated ruins before our limited time elapsed.
Antigua, Guatemala
Once it did, we were again on the bus, passing extraordinary scenery ennobled by active volcanoes, the output of which enriched haciendas of banana, and papaya, and returned to the ship with sufficient time for happy hour and a casual dinner at the Lido buffet.
The early dinner allowed us to take-in the early show, which this evening featured John Nations, an extraordinary juggler who managed with skill and comedy to make 40 minutes of simultaneous tossing of up to five balls, knives, and tennis racquets over, around, and under his body quite entertaining. So much so for Alexander that he also saw the second show, which began about the time my day ended.
JD
