Colonial Antigua in 2014

Church & convent of Las Capuchinas 

On December 31, 2013 I left Lanquin to travel 8 hours to Antigua.

Santa  Catalina Arch 

On the way, the bus passed through Guatemala City. With houses stacked on top of each other in the hills, I felt as if I was driving through the favelas of Brazil.

With a population over 2 million, the area is stricken with crime as any major city center. The bridges that connect the zones were massive and towering over the lower valleys. Walking across would be scary but from the presence of graffiti it has been done.

Palacio de los Capitanes, Plaza Central

Traffic started to backup on the freeway, an accident left a dead body lying on the road for every one to see. I think to myself is this the first dead body I have seen? I don't know but I feel bad for this guy.

You know you have arrived in Antigua when the smooth road becomes a bumpy excursion into the side streets. Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserved all the cobblestone streets.

Casita en Antigua

Mostly single story structures that have colorful but flush exteriors. The beauty of Antigua is inside the structures where luscious gardens flourish in the courtyards. 

The plaza of Antigua has is a Central Park lined with lights in trees and waterfalls. Horse buggies take patrons for rides. The Cathedral San Jose has a massive presence next to the government hall holding the Guatemalan flag with a "2014" lit sign.

Horse buggy rides in Plaza Central

Kokos en el calle

The cafes are crowded hangouts mixed with locals and internationals. A champagne bottle and fireworks look like the standard necessities in these parts.

Comedor en el calle

Eager to be in tune with the chaos, I drop everything of at Hostel Antigua and head out to the comedor- to see how the locals eat on the special night. Tamales, mole, tacos, and sopas are popular items. I spend less than $10 USD for my feast.

I meet up with the crew from New York, Germany, and Greece. We head to a Cafe No Se, a mescal bar, and try our wits with the forbidden liquor. Tequila with a smokier and smoother is how I thought it taste. Not quite my thing but hey it sure gets you buzzed fast when you have five minutes until 2014.

Vassileios from Greece - Christina from NYC - Werner from Germany

After grabbing the group and running towards the square fireworks start going off in each corner of the plaza. Larger than the buildings, the balls of color engulf the sky above.

Holding hands for safety we stick close together as we celebrate a year of travel and friendship. Kisses and hugs come next and then it is off to find a nightclub to dance.

La Merced Church

It is sunny the next morning so I head out for some breakfast and then take a walking tour through San Francisco Church and Santa Domingo Monastery.

Cerro de la Cruz is a popular lookout that offers a great view of the city with the Volcan Agua in the background. Peaceful since many are still sleeping from last night, the fireworks are still continuous.

Cerro de la Cruz- Volcan Agua 

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The walk down from the lookout feels like a war zone, the street rumbles from more pyrotechnic blasts. Finally making it to safety my group heads out to dinner for pizza and wine.

Pupusa

A great choice as the stars from the sky shine bright and the fire pit warms us. The night here get chilly as we still sit at an elevation of 5,000 feet.

Antigua is a more a town rather than city, with around 40,000 residents. It boosts great architecture, elegance, and history. The cobblestone streets cause time to pass by slowly even though you are welcoming in the New Year.  As a 23 year old traveling in Central America, this felt like a mature start. 

Save the best for last- Beautiful Waterfall