Bargain Hunters, Church Bells and Basketball

2010 Guatos in Antigua's Parque Central, ready for a full day of fun

by Sarah Grady ’11 and Sarah Cordle ’12

We started the day off with a typical Guatemalan breakfast consisting of plantains, eggs, beans, and delicious cookies. After fueling up for our fun packed day, we were off for our 20 minute walk to Santa Ana -a neighboring village to Antigua- where mass and a procession would take place in honor of the patron saint of the town. The procession began at a crowded church in the square amid little kids dressed as angels and pageant queens.

The procession leaves the church with Billy, one of our teachers from Spanish school, at the front left. A true local experience for us.

After sending off the procession and its hundreds of followers to make its way through the village, we walked back to Antigua as the bells rang for a traditional Catholic mass (in Spanish) at the Iglesia San Francisco. The mass draws people from town and from the surrounding countryside. Some even bring their goats along for the walk. Aside from the obvious language difference, the service was a great experience where we were warmly welcomed by the people in the surrounding pews. Paz.

Mitchell checks in with the goats before heading into mass at San Francisco

After the, according to Sarah C, “lengthy mass,” we walked back to our hotel before splitting up for various activities. While some went to pump some iron at the local gym, the majority of us decided on a relaxing few hours at the hotel. We met up for lunch at Doña Luisa, a popular sandwich restaurant with amazing desserts. After that, it was time to go spend some dinero in the open air market in Antigua. Bargaining soon became our modus-operandi as Cammie managed to negotiate from 80 quetzales ($10) to 24 quetzales ($3). No one came home empty handed, all laden down with soccer jerseys, movies, and scarves being a clear favorite.

What do you think, should we get some sunglasses?

Smokin' hot!!!

After this taxing period of money spending, some headed back to the hotel while others preferred some basketball at a not so near by court. Andrew Webb’s slam dunk led us into a wonderful evening of a steak dinner and group movie night back at our hotel.

After a fun-filled day, Sarah C. is all smiles at the steak dinner at La Estancia

Andrew preparing to turn the corner and dunk on Daniel's brain. Check out the ruins in the background!

"In your eye, Egan" says Bill McGahan with his perfect 90s. Swish.

The morning brings a return to the worksite and to the most important task at hand: building homes.

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