Easter Season in Guatemala City

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

In the Christian tradition, today is the first Friday of the Easter Season, which began two days ago on Ash Wednesday.

The catholic expressions of faith during the Easter Season in Guatemala City are not as famous as those we can see in Antigua Guatemala; however, let me  tell you that these are as beautiful and splendid as those are.

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization. 

For what I have seen, the Easter Season is carefully observed throughout the country; actually, there are towns where the rituals are conducted in ways that could give all of us a better understanding  of the local culture and the syncretism that has occurred between the ancient Maya beliefs, traditions, and folklore, with the Catholicism as has been practiced since the Spanish colonial times.

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization. 

Note: the tree in the background is a fragrant matilisguate.

Anyway, since we are almost done with the journey through Guatemala City, my objective today is not to lecture you about catholic religion, but to give you a glimpse of the way the Holy Week is celebrated in the city with processions, flowers' rugs, music, and even food.

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization. 

To tell you the truth, my personal memories of the Easter Season are probably more earthly than religious because every detail I remember is always associated with joy, with colorful and fragrant flowers, such as the jacarandas, matilisguates, and corozo (flower from a palm tree that are profusely used during the whole season), and with food. I know, every celebration in Guatemala is associated with a special dish and I have to tell you, as most of the Guatemalan families, mine was part of the rule, never the exception. One of my favorite dishes was, and still is this desert called torrejas, one of my mother's Holy Week specialties.

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization. 

Last but not least, the music also plays an important role in the Easter celebrations. I found this video in Youtube and as far as I can understand, it belongs to the Website Jesusenguatemala.com. I sincerely hope they won't mind sharing it with all of us. The music is not the usual band but a delicate arrangement played by a marimba.

Kaminal Juyú (a.k.a. Kaminaljuyu)

Photos in this page by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization. 

Welcome to one of Guatemala City's best kept secrets, and one of the many sites filled with mystical mysteries with a rich cultural and historical legacy, not just for Guatemala, but also for the world, as the civilization that flourished here dates back to 1,5000 years BC.

Kaminaljuyu has been described as one of the greatest of all archaeological sites in the New World by Michael Coe, although the remains of the site today are less impressive than many other Maya sites more frequented by tourists. This important site has revealed a lot about Maya ceramics, sculpture, architecture and engineering. This site was the main producer of Obsidian and also controlled the commerce routs between the Pacific Lowlands, the Highlands, and the Peten Lowlands for centuries. 

Kaminaljuyu lies in a valley in the west side of Guatemala City and contains a total of over 100 platforms and mounds created before the end of the Pre Classic period (ending approximately in the year 150 BC). The valley is surrounded by hills which culminate in a string of lofty volcanoes to the south that separate the area from the Pacific Lowlands. At an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level, the climate is temperate and the soil is rich due to frequent volcanic eruptions.

The Pre Classic phase (a.k.a. Miraflores phase) is the foundation for later eras of the Classic Maya to flourish. Cultures of this phase developed exceptional irrigation systems and had a stable agricultural community. The remains from this time period are abundant at Kaminaljuyu. It is known that they traded cotton with their neighbors in the Escuintla area and practiced loom-weaving and were expert potters. 

Religious practices that would later be further developed throughout Mesoamerica were taking root at this time, such as mounds to serve as substructures for small shrines or temples and ritual burial of the dead. The abundance of remains from this period at Kaminaljuyu indicate it was the seat of a large community.

The site was first excavated in 1,925 by Manuel Gamio when he made stratigraphic excavations and found deep cultural deposits yielding potsherds and clay figurines from the Middle to late Preclassic (1,500 BC to 150 AC). Later the extent of the site’s importance was discovered in 1935 when a local football club accidentally uncovered a buried structure and the name was given: Kaminal Juyú from the Ki´ché words meaning "hills of the dead".

As you can see in the photo to the left, the area was largely swallowed up by real estate developments in the late 20th century, although a portion of the center of Kaminaljuyu is preserved as a park.

The Museums Complex in La Aurora

Continuing with our visit to Finca La Aurora, today we have the privilege of visiting the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, which is a good start for those who among their reasons to travel to Guatemala, is their interest in the archaeological patrimony of the country. The museum is dedicated to the conservation of archaeological and ethnological artifacts as well as the research into Guatemala's history and cultural heritage.

This is one of the most visited museums in the city because of its large collection of archaeological treasures, which is displayed in chronological order: pre-classical, classical, and post-classical. As a matter of fact, this museum has the most important collection of Mayan art in Latin America, and its pieces are constantly traveling to be part of the exhibits in foreign countries.

It has been found that in the pre-classical period (2,000 BC to 250 AC), the ancient civilizations developed very complex irrigation systems to guarantee the agricultural production and secure the subsistence of the communities. Some of the most important sites of that period are: Kaminaljuyu in Guatemala City (the place we are going to visit tomorrow), Uaxactun and El Mirador in Peten, and El Baul in the Pacific Coast area.

As part of the Ethnology Exhibit, in this museum we can also find an extraordinary collection of textiles and artifacts, as well as large models of the main Maya sites.

All the Photos in this page by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization. 

Another important museum in this complex is the National Museum of Contemporary Art, which is dedicated to  the artist Carlos Merida, one of the most famous Guatemalan painters within the cubist movement, and who stood out in painting, drawing, printmaking, and lithography. Due to family reasons, Calos Merida made his home in México where he became active in the Mexican mural painting school. In Guatemala City, one of his most representative works, is the mural in the IGSS building in the Civic Center.
The musical expression has been present in every stage of the development of the Guatemalan culture and that is why I want to share with all of you this interesting documentary. The narrative is in Spanish, but the sounds and music are universal!

Entering to Finca La Aurora

As I told you yesterday, the stop planned for today is in Finca La Aurora. This land was acquired by the government around 1890 with several projects in mind and the final result is what we can see now:

The Zoo, founded in 1924 and considered one of the largest gardens within the city, which according to the official Website (in Spanish), contains animal species from America (such as spider monkeys, parrots, macaws, jaguars, crocodiles, coatimundi, and a good selection of exotic snakes), Asia, and Africa, as well as common farm animals. The place also includes a playground for kids, restaurants, and some other recreational areas. It is small, but well maintained and beautifully set. Please click the following link to enjoy gorgeous photos by galasdeguatemala.com.

The Handicrafts Market, which unlike the Central Market in the Historic Center, is dedicated completely to handicrafts and also unlike the Central Market, it is kind of a peaceful place. In general the prices here are a little bit higher; however, it is fair to acknowledge that most of the pieces we will find in this market are well selected, some of them from organized communities, such as the Proteje group, which is part of the Ixchel Museum.

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

One of the most popular, cute and inexpensive souvenir you will find here are the world famous Worry Dolls (in Spanish, Munecas Quitapenas, which literally means "dolls that take your worries away). The dolls are usually packed in small bunches in tiny wooden vibrant-yellow-painted boxes. According to the folklore, the dolls are placed under the pillow before going to sleep to enjoy a pleasant dream, thanks to the dolls who are taking your worries away. Lovely story, isn't it?
Around the corner, we will find the Children's Museum, where all of us, kids and the not so kids, will learn (or remember) many interesting things while having fun. The previous link will take you to the official Website of the museum (only in Spanish), a brilliant one I must add.
The International Airport is also within the Finca La Aurora and, even though it plays an important role in our journey because it is the main port of entrance to Guatemala, I am just going to mention that is certified as Category I by the FAA and ranked No.1 in services and modernization in Central America. One of the features of this airport is that usually there is a marimba ensemble greeting arriving passengers with authentic marimba music. Click and enjoy the sounds of the Land of the Quetzal!

If you like the museums, I mean the museums for grown-ups, please come back tomorrow. We will stop then at the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, and at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

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!

Passing Under the Torre del Reformador

To be fair, I am going to start today thanking Maynor Mijangos from Galas de Guatemala, because in addition to let me use his photos, he mentioned this blog in his newsletter yesterday and as a result, this blog has two new followers and I am more excited than ever to continue guiding you through this journey. Thanks again Maynor!

As I mentioned yesterday, Guatemala City is kind of an spiral and that is why the zone that follows zone 4, is the 9, which is surrounded by zone 10 (to the East), zone 8 (to the West), and zone 13 (to the South).

One of the most notorious landmarks of Zone 9 is the Tower of the Reformer (Torre del Reformador) built in 1935 to commemorate the 100th. birthday of Justo Rufino Barrios, former president of Guatemala acknowledged for the numerous reformations he introduced to the country. This 75 meters steel structure resembles the Eiffel Tower, only you can drive underneath since it was built right over a crossing of roads.

Originally conceived as a residential area, Zone 9 is now in the process to become a commercial one since many of the big houses have been transformed into offices and some others have been demolished to make the space suitable for large buildings. Despite this, we still can see in the area beautiful gardens, ample boulevards with trees and nice sidewalks.

Photos in this page by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

Almost in the mid part of this zone we find the Plaza España (Spain Square), which shows the fountain built as a memorial to King Carlos III of Spain, originally located in the Constitution Square. My best memories about this place are the ceviches we used to buy some Saturdays, right on the street. Let me tell you, to-die-for! In case you are wondering what a ceviche is, my best explanation is a simple yet delicious recipe (I wish I had a photo to share):

Ingredients: 

4 cups (approx. 2 lbs) salad size shrimps, peeled and clean (or fish like mahi-mahi in small cubes)

2 cups of fresh Roma-type tomatoes, diced

1 cup of fresh onion, diced

1 cup of fresh cilantro (in Guatemala is called culantro), roughly chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (in Guatemala we use crushed Chiltepes)

2 cups of fresh lime juice (approx. 12 limes). Here is very important to clarify that in Spanish we call limón to the limes; I recommend you not to use lemons because the flavor is not the same.

Salt and pepper

Optional: 1/2 cup of ketchup and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

Preparation:

Blanche the shrimps in boiling water for 3 minutes, transfer them to a bowl with icy water to stop the cooking process. Drain well.

Return the shrimps to the bowl and add the lemon juice. Let stand covered in the fridge for about 2 hours.

Add the rest of the ingredients, season with salt and pepper, mix well, cover again and put it back in the fridge for another hour or so. Do not leave it in the fridge for too long as it may become soupy.

Serve with plain or salty crackers and a cold Gallo beer (may be available under the brand Famosa). Cheers!

Towards the South via the Civic Center

In my previous posts I forgot to mention that Guatemala City is divided in zones, number 1 is downtown and number 2 is where the relief map and Del Carmen Hill are. The area we are passing by today towards the south is mainly in the Zone 4. I would say that Guatemala City was conceived more than 200 years ago as a very well organized city, starting with Zone 1, the rest continue to develop around it as an spiral. Unfortunately, some parts of the city could seem now kind of chaotic due to the big demographic explosion in the past 30-40 years.

OK, enough rambling and back to our journey; as I was saying, today we are going to the south and in our way we will pass by the Civic Center, one of the busiest areas in the city since there are several buildings where governmental bureaus are established, among others: the City Hall, the Guatemala Bank (where you find the Numismatic Museum), the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice and the Courts. The Social Security Guatemalan Institute is another interesting building where you can appreciate original art by sculptor Roberto Gonzalez Goyri and painter Carlos Merida.

Also in this area is located the Miguel Angel Asturias Cultural Center, named after the Guatemalan Literature Nobel Laureate and designed by the architect Efrain Recinos. The center contains one big proscenium theater, one black box theater, and an outdoor amphitheater. The center includes various plazas and salons, as well as the National Marimba Institute.

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization

In this zone, we can visit 4 Grados Norte (literally: four degrees north), a pedestrian oasis with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and cultural activities. If by chance you decide to give this place a try, I would recommend you to start  by dining at La Matilde Restaurant, where you will enjoy contemporary Guatemalan cuisine (the best of Guatemalan traditional dishes with a modern twist) and after that, walk throughout the area, you will not regret it, this could be the perfect end for a good day!

Around the Historic Center

Photos in this page by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

In Guatemala City, the downtown surroundings is probably the less explored area by tourists and that is why I would like to introduce you some places, true landmarks within the city limits.
To enjoy the most while traveling, especially when visiting big cities such as Guatemala, your best defense is to use common sense. Don't walk the streets at night. Avoid alleyways and areas where there are no other people around. Don't wear jewelry, use a money belt, and don't let all the dire warnings keep you from experiencing this fascinating city.

The Metropolitan Cultural Center, originally built between 1937-1940 to house the National Post Office, is today the house of several art schools, including music, sculpture, and painting among others. The main feature of this building is the arch, which was inspired by the much older and more famous Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua Guatemala, a place we will visit soon in this journey.

Relief Map (Mapa en Relieve) at the Minerva Park. This 2,000 square meters (21,500 square feet), 1:1000 scale relief map of Guatemala, a unique engineering masterpiece created in 1904-1905 by Francisco Vela, shows Guatemala's topography in detail complete with rivers, lakes and oceans and is viewed from platforms located on each side. Nearby is a small forest of hormigo trees, the wood of which is used to make marimbas (an ancient like-xylophone musical instrument). The trees were planted to commemorate the marimba tradition in Guatemala.

Del Carmen Hill (Cerro del Carmen) is a beautiful place from which to take in the view of Guatemala City below. At the hilltop is a Carmelite hermitage, which was left close to ruins by the 1976 earthquake and is now restored and open to the public again. The church is the first one built in the valley and possess a beautiful silver embossed image of the Virgin of Carmen that dates back to the early 1600s. 

Since I mentioned before the Guatemalan marimba and in case you are wondering how does it sound, please click on the video and enjoy!

The Historic Center

The place to start a sightseeing tour through the historic center of Guatemala City must be the Constitution Square (officially: Plaza Mayor de la Constitución), which has also been called Central Park, since it is in the heart of Zone 1, the city downtown.

This Plaza is always a center of activity, but especially so on Sundays when hundreds of local residents gather there to stroll, gossip, buy, sell, dance, sing, neck, preach and play. Most of the Plaza is an open paved area, suitable for parades, concerts, public manifestations, among others. There are also splashing fountains where children play and quieter shaded areas, where young lovers seem to occupy every bench. Underground, there is an ample and secure parking lot. The fountain in the center was designed by the sculptor Rodolfo Galeotti Torres and erected in the park in 1943.

Surrounding the Constitution Square, we will see some other important landmarks of the city. By the way, all the images are direct links to galasdeguatemala.com for you to enjoy more of the beautiful photos by Maynor Mijangos.

The Culture National Palace, built between 1939 and 1943 to be the National Palace or house of the government, was declared Historic, Cultural and Artistic Patrimony of Guatemala in November, 1980 and it is now open to the public as a museum, an art gallery for a permanent and temporary exhibits. The ball room and other big areas within the palace are used now to celebrate official ceremonies, like the signing of Guatemala's historic Peace Accords, held on December 28, 1986.

The Metropolitan Cathedral is an imposing twin towered structure. It stands 300 feet long and 100 feet wide on the east side of the Constitution Square. It was designed by the Spanish architect Marcos Ibáñez and built in the neoclassical style with completion in 1815. The cathedral has survived three major earthquakes: 1830, 1917, and 1976. Here you will appreciate the image of the Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro (Our Lady of Perpetual Help), the oldest catholic image in Guatemala, brought by Hernán Cortés in 1522.

The Centennial Park, built in 1921 as a national monument to conmemorate the first centennial of the independence in 1821, in the same lot where once was the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales de la Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción (literally: Palace of the General Captains of the New Guatemala of the Assumption). This park is now scenario for popular concerts and other performing arts presentations.
In the south side of the Constitution Square is a beautiful  colonial structure known as El Portal del Comercio (literally: commerce portal) built in 1788 and since then, used for commercial purposes. I do not have a photo to share with you; however, once in the Constitution Square, you will be able to see it across the street.

The Central Market - Level 3

Today we are going to take the stairs one more time, the last one I must add, and we will find more handicrafts, most of them designed with locals in mind. The variety here ranges from pottery, basketry (mainly for domestic and florists use) to wooden artifacts.

In addition, in this level you will also find several places that sell grains, spices, herbs (medicinal and for cooking), candles, and the famous Queso de Zacapa (dry like-parmesan cheese), which is very important in the Guatemalan cuisine. These are just some of the dishes that require queso de Zacapa: quesadilla (a sweet bread typical from the East of the country, for which you can find my own recipe in Antigua Daily Photo), tostadas, and fiambre (the typical dish Guatemalans eat to celebrate the day of all saints and the dead on November 1st). 

Click on the Image to Start the Slide Show
 Photos by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization

In this level we can also find the most bizarre selection of favors and other knickknacks required for popular celebrations like Quinceaňeras (like the sweet sixteen, only one year before), Baptisms, First Communions, Baby-showers, Weddings, among others. As I said before, products more intended for local consumers.

Well, this has been all for this week. I hope you will come back next Monday when I am going to invite you to join me in a sightseeing tour through the Historic Center.

The Central Market - Level 2

 

Photo by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

As I mentioned yesterday, today we are going downstairs to the intermediate level, the largest one in the market that is divided in 3 sections: in the north wing meats and poultry; in the middle fruits, vegetables, live plants, and flowers; and in the south wing homemade style food in a wide variety of popular restaurants. If in level one you enjoyed listening, looking, and touching, trust me, in this level all of your senses are going to be awaken.

While visiting the restaurants section, what you will see is popular food, the food that locals eat regularly, and only some of the dishes can be considered traditional typical food. Most of these restaurants are clean and well maintained, so, if you see something that looks appealing, go for it. You might be surprised with the flavors and aromas of natural ingredients cooked right in front of you.

The section in the middle includes the most beautiful, colorful, full of textures and aromas display of fresh fruits and vegetables from all over the country, many of them, items you will never find anywhere else. Be adventurous and try some fruits, they are just to-die-for. And if you do not believe me, enjoy this slide-show with beautiful photos from galasdeguatemala.com.

Click on the Image to Start the Slide Show

My description of this part of the market will not be complete without mentioning the famous Doña Mela's place. Right in the middle of aisles full of vegetables and fruits, you will see a place surrounded by a small crowd. Take a close look of what people there is buying and eating. If you are not fussy with food, you have to try at least one of the many dishes you are going to be presented with, and once again, you might be surprised with unusual yet extraordinary flavors. Click on this video, although the narrative is in Spanish, the images speak for themselves!

The Central Market - Level 1

I think I already mentioned that this is one of my favorite places in Guatemala City, in case you missed it, I am telling you, again!
Remember that we are going downstairs from the street-parking lot level, so here we are, in the first level. This level, the one designed with tourists in mind, is full of small individually owned handicrafts stores and probably the first impression will be some kind of noise… which is the mix of different radio stations playing at the same time in almost each one of the little stores! Do not let this upset you, quite contrary, think of it as the perfect background for what is to come: textiles.
Guatemalan textiles are the most vibrant colors weaved in the most intricate patterns you will ever see. The best of all is that you can choose amid a wide variety of designs, to fit every taste and budget: fabric by the yard, table clothes, woolen blankets, bedspreads, you name it.
In addition to the music, you are going to hear some melodic calls: que va a llevar reinita (or mi rey)? Meaning literally: what would you like to buy my little queen (or my king)? This is Guatemalan people at their best! Friendly, smiley, eager to please you.
Take your time, enjoy and walk around, through every one of the aisles and feel free to explore. Rustic leather, silver jewelry, naif paintings, popular souvenirs are just some of the many other things you will find here.

Should you still want to explore the rest of the market? Come back tomorrow. I will do my best trying to tell you about the next level. In the meantime, please enjoy this slide show which contains more beautiful photos by galasdeguatemala.com.

Click on the Image to Start the Slide Show

The Central Market - Introduction

Photos by galasdeguatemala.com, used with authorization.

I wish I could reproduce all the aromas, the flavors, the sounds, the vibrant colors, the forms and textures one can smell, taste, hear, look, and touch in this place. The Guatemala City’s Central Market is a feast to the senses!

If there is a commercial center where you can find handicrafts and souvenirs from all over the country at a reasonable price, this is it. This is also the place where you can find a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, meat, typical food, wooden artifacts, and more.

It is located in Zone 1, or downtown, and before getting there, I have to recommend being cautious, even though is a relatively secure place, avoid wearing fancy clothes and jewelry. Although a well designed, organized, and clean market, since it is a massive several stories underground concrete structure, I could say that the building itself does not represent what it is inside.

On the street level is a paid and very secure parking lot from where you can access the 3 lower levels, which are built like mezzanines and divide the market into 3 different sections, exactly the same number of days I need to explore the place with you. Ah, while exploring keep in mind that haggling over the prices has to be part of the experience when you visit a market like this.

Here is just a sample of what we will experience tomorrow: