The Zona Viva in Guatemala City

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

I hope you all enjoyed the weekend and had a wonderful Valentine's day with your loved ones!

Today, I am going to start explaining that when I originally planned the order of the Journey, I did not realize how many interesting places there are in Guatemala City. I know, Guatemala City is not precisely the place of interest for most of tourists; and that is one of the reasons why I am trying to be as descriptive as I can in this virtual journey.

After last Friday's visit to the Botanical Garden and Ixchel Museum, and since today we are heading to the Zona Viva, home of hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries, I want you to know that we are going to pass by some of the largest world-class private hospitals in the city; and also close by the impressive Oakland Mall, a three stories shopping center with an indoor Merry-Go-Round for kids, bookstores, cinemas, and several restaurants, including one that is actually build inside a salt water aquarium; and last but not least, we are going to pass through the old Barrio Santa Clara (Santa Clara neighborhood), where during the first months of the year, we can be delighted with the flowers of the Jacarandas and Matilisguates, spread all over the ground as a colorful and fragrant rug.

At the end of Zona Viva we are also at the end of the Avenida de la Reforma, where we will see The Obelisk, a park that commemorates the independence of Central America and has become an important landmark in the city since its uses are diverse: concerts, festivals, parades, among others. In addition, from the Obelisk Park to the East, we could travel to El Salvador, via the Inter American Highway; to the South, we could visit the Avenida de las Americas, a boulevard built as a homage to every country in the Americas; and to the West, via the Boulevard Liberacion from where we will continue tomorrow's Journey passing by the old Aqueduct and the Flowers Clock, we are going to make a stop at Finca La Aurora.

Photos by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

The Avenida de la Reforma and Surroundings

 Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

Since we are still in Zone 9, I am going to go just a little bit to the east right to the Avenida de la Reforma (literally: Avenue of the Reformation), which separates Zone 9 from Zone 10. This is a wide and beautiful boulevard built in 1897, inspired by the Champs Elysees in Paris. Adorned with many monuments, this avenue is considered part of the national heritage due to its artistic and historical value.

The avenue runs from North to South as Zone 9, and in the opposite direction as Zone 10. On both sides, we are going to see large buildings some historic and some others contemporary, including the USA Embassy and Consulate, a few gorgeous residences,  plenty of restaurants, and some of the finest hotels in the city. Right in the middle, we can admire beautiful gardens and several monuments, including the one built by the sculptor Max Leiva in year 2,000 dedicated to Miguel Angel Asturias, the Literature Nobel laureate I mentioned in the Civic Center post.

Passing by the Avenida de la Reforma without exploring the surroundings would be a shame. So please, stay with me. I can assure you, we will enjoy the visit and the first place we are going to, is the Botanical Garden, which contains many local plants and flowers as well as some exotic specimens. It was the first of its kind in Central America.
Our second stop is the Ixchel Museum of Indigineous Dress, which "was founded to address the need to rescue indigenous culture within a society that was rapidly modernizing, often losing its traditions and identity. The museum's work encompasses the acquisition, conservation   and exhibition of indigenous clothing as well as extensive research   and publication of findings." The first link in this paragraph will take you to the official Website where you will find very well documented information about the Guatemalan Maya textile tradition from pre-Colombian times to the present.

Detail of the Huipil I am using as the background for the title of this blog.

Do you remember I already told you this is one of my favorite places in the city? Well, it is. Not just for the textiles that I adore and have a few, but also for the extraordinary collection of paintings by Andres Curruchich. "His works portray the daily life of his town, San Juan Comalapa (Chimaltenango), through scenes such as the harvesting of corn, the cutting of hair, the washing of clothes and the activities of the market square, as well as local traditions such as Holy Week processions, dances, celebrations in honor of San Juan, the patron saint of the town. The figures that appear in his paintings, except for the traders from other communities, are of special interest, since they show the distinctive dress of Comalapa."

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization. This link will take you to more San Juan Comalapa photographs, perfect to illustrate the artistic legacy of Painter Andres Curruchich.

Even though I would like to continue describing this part of the city, I think it is enough for today and for the week. My last recommendation for now is: go out and enjoy a wonderful meal and if you like the night life, in Zona Viva (zone 10) you will find a wide variety of restaurants, night clubs, cafes, and many more. I would go to Hacienda Real for one of the most tasty, juicy, and tender steaks I have ever tried and a glass of red wine. Enjoy your weekend!