Also known as Xelaju, or simply Xela, Quetzaltenango is Guatemala's second largest city. The invention of the double marimba here is celebrated at the entrance to town with a sculpture depicting a woman dancing atop a marimba. The majestic Santa Maria Volcano towers over this lovely town of steep cobblestone streets and cold, mountain nights. You need not worry about the cold nights; we make our way into the lowlands in a matter of minutes to spend the night at the IRTRA botanical gardens and resort after a ride down through more interesting sites.
0 Comments
Famed the world over for its market, Chichicastenango attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually, who come to observe the fascinating traditions of this highland town. Our tour/retreat takes you to Chichicastenango on day 5. By the way, Chichicastenango means the land of poison ivy. Chichicaste is a form of poison ivy in Maya language and "tenango" means "town of." Many towns in Guatemala have the ending "tenango" such as Cuyotenago (land of the hamster), Mazatenango (land of the maza or holy portage), Quetzaltenango (land of the quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala). The market in Chichi (short for Chichicastenango), held every Thursday and Friday, is full of exquisite crafts, including an excellent collection of goods made from local textiles. On the steps of the cathedral, which bounds the main plaza, Maya men and women pray and burn incense before entering the church to approach the altar. On a nearby hilltop, a stone figure of Pascual Abaj also attracts native worshipers. For hundreds of years, old Mayan ways of worship and Catholicism have well entwined themselves to where none can unravel. Enjoy the slide show below! The colonial town of Antigua Guatemala, which you will visit on days 3 & 4 of our rejuvenation retreat, lies at the base of three majestic volcanoes, which overlook quiet, cobblestone streets and the picturesque ruins of monasteries destroyed by earthquakes. This little town has become famous for its Spanish language schools renowned for their excellence. Founded in 1543, Antigua was originally known as the Very Noble and Loyal City of Saint James of the Knights of Guatemala. Spectacularly beautiful, the city's quiet streets today are often occupied by local artists with easels and paint boxes set up, lovingly painting the scenes of volcanoes framed by a colonial arch. Contemporary Antigua Guatemala is a cosmopolitan center of learning, with a fine library and research institute for visiting archaeologists, a cultural center that hosts films and plays, more than a dozen language schools, and a biennial arts festival featuring performances of ballet, opera and classical music. It is also the site of annual processions during Easter week, the most beautiful religious celebration in the Americas. The Mayas, much like the Tibetans, create colorful sawdust and sand carpets on the streets during the Easter holidays. Enjoy the slideshow below! Register to be included in receiving more information about our retreats! You might like to know that Guatemala City of today was not always the capital of this colorful and fairy-tale land of the Maya. In the early 1500's, the first temporary headquarters near the Maya city of Iximche, was abandoned after the city's Kaqchiquel (one of the Maya native tribes) inhabitants rebelled against the colonial Spaniards at their exorbitant demands for gold. The second, today called Ciudad Vieja (found today a short distance from Antigua) was washed away in a flood. The third city, now known as Antigua Guatemala, (which we will visit on days 3 & 4 of our retreat) served as capital for 230 years, and was home to a number of religious orders that built elaborate monasteries and convents. This disaster-prone city was rebuilt after a dozen earthquakes. Much of what can be seen today was built following the earthquake of 1717. Finally after a devastating quake of 1773, the city was abandoned under the orders of the governor (colonial administrators thought the ravines surrounding New Guatemala would absorb the shocks of earthquakes, thus protecting it from destruction that had befallen their previous capitals) and a new capital was founded in 1776 where present-day Guatemala City now exhibits its modern skyscrapers, famous cathedrals, museums, and spraying fountains. Guatemala City lies tucked into a deep valley where the Agua volcano dominates the horizon. Long since dormant, the volcano looms over one of the most developed and fast-paced cities in Central America. Business, commerce and industry come together effortlessly to form a cosmopolitan and modern metropolis. Industrial and commercial sectors cater to a wide variety of businesses such as textile manufacturing and pharmaceuticals. Guatemala's agricultural production of sugar cane, coffee, cardamon and other non-traditional products keep the country and its businesses active in the world export market. A combination of colonial architecture, glass skyscrapers and modern shopping malls make a visit to Guatemala City full of possibilities. Your visit includes trips to colorful market places and archaeological museums. Those with a penchant for architecture won't want to miss visiting the heart of the city, the Central Plaza. The metropolitan cathedral La Catedral is reminiscent of baroque architecture with its cool interior and is redolent with the aroma of incense and votive candles where elegantly robed statues of saints stand in small alcoves, a place where the devout offer flowers and prayers. The presidential National Palace (now a museum) built in the 1940's by orders of President General Jorge Ubico with 350 rooms and interior gardens with fountains is another architectural beauty you'll also enjoy on your rejuvenation retreat. Take lots of pictures! The customs and traditions of national cuisine are as old as the steps to the Mayan temples in Peten. You'll get a chance to enjoy indoor and outdoor cafes, popular choices for lunch with an array of "comida tipica" menu choices. You might not think of Guatemala as a capital of cuisine, but there are some delicious painstaking dishes such as pepian (a meat dish served in dark, spicy sauces that include tomatoes and squash seeds) and fiambre (a mixture of a wide variety of meats with vegetables and fish) that make dining an adventure into culture and color. If local cuisine is not to your liking, you need not worry, other international foods are available. But the fun lies in tasting of the local foods, right? After enjoying a nice dinner you'll top your meal with savory Guatemala coffee! Nightlife in Guatemala City is full of fun with dancing and socializing, enjoying a drink or two. Johnny O (my brother) knows where to find first-class nightclubs with popular local and international music, the best lively places so you can enjoy a great evening out. Watch the slideshow below to get a mini tour of Guatemala City! |
AuthorJeanette posts information on this blog about the places you'll visit. She wants to keep you excited about visiting Guatemala. ArchivesCategories |