Today began with a formal tour of Antigua. It started with visits to its many churches with their ruins. Some of these churches date from 1532. The city has been destroyed by 16 earthquakes over the years, thus the ruins, but they just built the new church next to the old one. St. Francis of Asisi (San Francisco Grande) Church was built in 1725, and became a school and hospital. Some rich Spanish were buried in churches, but no natives or people of color. Candles are burnt by parisioners, with the colors symbolic of their requests. As we were visiting a church, a man walked by with his goats. Carlos had him milk a goat, and I tried some fresh milk-tasty, although still warm.
Antigua was the Guatemala capitol in 1543 after the previous capital was buried in a mudslide.There are 22 surrounding villages. 32% of the buildings are owned by foreigners, and no buildings are allowed with more than 1 story. The town is surrounded by 3 volcanoes: Acatenango, Fuego, and Agua. Many doctors come here to do surgeries, and there is much teenage pregnancy. They say the classes are rich/high poor/middle poor/poor poor/misery.
We toured St. Dominick's Monastery, which is now a 5-star hotel and beautiful museum and wedding chapel. This was also where the poor and disabled were buried. Finally, we visited a jade factory and store, and learned about its processing.cutting, and polishing. When we were given free time in the afternoon, I walked to the local marketplace and just wandered, looking at the many good, and engaging in my favorite past-time, people watching. I am enjoying the tour aspects of the stops and the included tours, but the hardest part of a tour is being with your tour-mates everyday. Some you hit it off with very well, but when there is someone who decides to bully others, drink too much, or get boisterous, it is hard to take. I like to try to blend in with local people and customs and not stick out an an 'ugly American'. We finished the day with dinner accompanied by a marimba band and traditional dancers.
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