Carpet Round Up

Friday morning we set out early to walk the procession route and observe the alfombra masterpieces. Supposedly the most talked about ones are way over yonder by La Merced, so we certainly had to see what they were all about. While they were certainly becoming, we feel it is necessary to also acknowledge the efforts in the lesser know part of town, our neighborhood, which were just as amazing as their more famous counterparts.

Each alfombra is impressive in it's own way, so we thought it would be fun to do a little carpet round up to display these once a year pieces of art. I'm sure there must be some sort of judging that goes on throughout the week, but considering that we know nothing about it, we did a little fun judging of our own.

(The following recipients of the Lengacher Best award are listed in no particular order.)

Best use of movement & cutest sheep
(the shephard circled around his flock)

Prettiest butterfly

Best late night efforts by a neighbor

Most creative use of eggs

Best representation of an animal made from fruit

Best Message
Do you believe the sacrifice was worthwhile?

Best international design

Best use of real water

Longest alfombra

Best appearance of wildlife

Most realistic artwork

Most produce used

Best use of origami

Most geometric

Best 3D image

Most outrageous John the Baptist

Catching Up

After a week of really great company, I find myself alone this peaceful afternoon with a bit of time to play catch up on my blogging. Please forgive my absence over the past week. I put the blog on the back burner and focused my time and energy on having fun with our visitors. As I sit here this afternoon, Brandi & Mike are on their way home, the laundry is drying out on the line & FINALLY room has been made for more photos on our over loaded hard drive, which means it must be time for some final thoughts on Semana Santa....only 2 weeks later! I last left you with some images of processions and alfombras early on in the week, but as Holy Week passed on, the crowds grew larger, the processions more frequent and the alfombras more elaborate.

Check out a little more of what we experienced.

First came the making of the alfombras.


And then of course the appreciating the alfombras (with lots of photo taking).

Processions happened all week long.




Both day and night.


With the crowds growing daily.


Always with Jesus first....

.....followed by Mary.....

.....and then the clean up crew!


And by Sunday afternoon, the crowds were gone and nothing was left but this.

Want to see & hear exactly what we did? Watch these.

Semana Santa Day from Krista on Vimeo.

Semana Santa Night from Krista on

Seeing purple

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is in full swing around these parts and while we do feel lucky to be living in such a beautiful place during such a huge event, we'll certainly be ready to get back to a tranquilo (calm) lifestyle when it all ends. Each weekend during lent leading up to Easter the catholic churches in the villages around Antigua have their ceremonies and processions. Little by little they get bigger, more elaborate and more frequent.




Last weekend San Bartolome (a village just right down the road from our home) had theirs. We knew it was going to be big, but neither of us understood just quite how big it would be. Around 8.30 am we wandered down to Callejon del Burrito (that's the next one over from us) to see if anyone was out and about making alfombras (flower carpets), and low and behold we met up with at least 1,000 others! What normally is a 10 minute walk took us about a hour. It was nice though, having it so close, but yet being able to escape to the peace in quiet on our street. We were actually walking in front of the procession and at one point I stopped to snap some photos and found myself in the middle of things. Oops! I darted out to the sidelines as fast as I could, but not without capturing this:

Who can resist a friendly Roman soldier (with what I know has to be a broom on his head)?

The alfombras were some of the best we have seen, although i'm sure this coming week we'll be in for a treat. There are all types, from very simple to super elaborate. At first the procession goes around them, but when the floats (for lack of a better word) come through, they go right over top, destroying hours and hours of hard work! It's all good though, since they all get blessed before being destroyed and swept up by the clean train (remember it?).









The rest of the day was pretty calm for us, as the procession made it's way in and around Antigua, that is at least until it came back through later that night. Of course the route was a bit different and on the return trip it actually came right by our cul-de-sac. Our nice neighbors (I say nice because they are honestly about the only nice ones) made their own alfombra, so of course we had to go out and see it. Later that night the procession passed by, band and all, at 1.15 am, bolting us both out of bed, we "appreciated" it for about 15 minutes before falling back asleep into dream land.



Aside from all the crowds and craziness that goes along with crowds, we're actually looking forward to the festivities this week. We'll keep you updated to the best of our abilities (the internet is down at our house, so blogging isn't so easy) so that you too can enjoy Semana Santa, wherever you are!

Visit Guatemala: Part 1

Welcome to Part 1 of a 3 part series: The Lengacher's Visit Guatemala.

I, Krista (pronounced krees.ta), will act as your host as well as unofficial team photographer. My parter Benjamin (pronounced ben.ha.mean) will be your official tour guide / team leader.

With March came the arrival of some very special guests: The Lengacher Family (well at least part of them - Glen, Jean & Kush!) It had been over a year since we've spent time with them, so it was quite special for us to be able to host them in our home.

After arriving in Antigua following a long flight and an almost as long drive from the airport, we set out for some sightseeing lunch first. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera (how dare the group photographer let everyone down!), but we ate at the always divine Sabe Rico (highlighted as one of the best Guate has to offer in our side bar). It was delicious and exactly what everyone needed to revive themselves! Following lunch we did the usual weekend tourist thing and strolled through Parque Central and the Quinta Avenida down to La Merced where we caught the tail end of the Saturday night mass. After that we sleepily walked home and hit the hay, storing up energy for a full Sunday.

Quinta Avenida (aka. The Arch Street)

Sunday morning was spent grazing over breakfast and enjoying the great outdoors at Casa Lengacher for a while before hitting the cobblestone streets again. After meandering through the market, we once again found our way to Parque Central where Glen indulged in his first of several shoe shines.

A bright sunny day in the park.
The snowbirds certainly enjoyed the weather!

He almost got away without polish on his toes....almost!

Our fearless tour guide Ben then led us through the streets, stopping to participate in whatever our guests found appealing, whether it be street food or shopping.

Weekend browsing at Mercado El Carmen is a must for tourists who are seeking seriously good deals!

When we finally arrived at Las Capuchinas ruins, an old convent dating back to 1529, our leader shared with us some history from Elizabeth Bell's Antigua Guatemala: The City and it's Heritage book. Everyone loves a well informed guide!

Feeling spiritual.

Tour guide Benjamin patiently awaiting his group.

Feeling thoroughly exhausted by this point, our guide expertly led us to a well known favorite local restaurant, La Cuevita de los Urquizú, where we nourished our lifeless bodies with some local cuisine....for a pretty quetzal or 60!

Then our guide threw a surprise at us. 2 of our group members would be checking into the exquisite El Convento hotel for the evening. Lucky them! We all escorted them to their hotel and ooh'd and ahh'd at the posh accommodations. So very jealous were we was I!

(Side note: After falling in love with this zen bubbling fountain, the tour guide promised to recreate one for me in our future home!)

A few hours later we reconvened for our evening activities: dessert at Cenicienta (the best bakery ever - make sure you try the chocolate banana cake!) and the Procession of Jesús Nazareno, leading up to Semana Santa (Holy Week).

(Note: Team photographer did not bring along her tripod and therefore the following photos are blurry - it's not your eyes!)

All group members stood in awe as the procession passed right in front of us. Thankfully with the assistance of some overly informed, loudly spoken tourists from Philadelphia standing nearby, we were able to get the lowdown on Semana Santa, the floats and even the clean up crew, which follows as part of the procession and gets to work shoveling away the precious alfombras before one can blink an eye!

The evening ended with a stroll through a maze of street vendors in front of La Merced, where each and every group member indulged in a culinary treat or 2....or 3!

La Merced.

Jean with a hot peppered Mango.

Kush eating elotes (corn) schmeared in ketchup, mayo & hot sauce.

Glen snacking on a pupusa, the nacional dish of El Salvador.

Unnamed group member, satisfying her sweet tooth
with a candied apple.

Aren't you all hungry now?


Stay tuned next week for Part 2: The Lengacher's Visit Guatemala.