| Antigua was the capital of Guatemala until | | | | senorita, telling her that she had the eyes |
| 1773, when the Santa Marta earthquake rocked | | | | of a goddess, and any man who did not adorn |
| the foundations of the town. Still, the city | | | | her with such a gift was not worthy of her. |
| retains its colonial charm in the extravagant | | | | It was now three against one, so I handed |
| architecture of buildings, churches, convents | | | | over a wad of Quetzales to the grinning |
| and old residences, which offer more than a | | | | dynamic duo.It's worth spending at least a |
| glimpse of past prosperity.Tourism is | | | | day exploring Antigua's colonial buildings |
| Antigua's main income generator. With more | | | | and ruins. The most impressive examples being |
| than 60 language schools in a city of just | | | | Catedral de Santiago, San Francisco, the |
| over 30,000 people, it's a popular | | | | town's most notable church near Parque |
| destination for westerners to spend a few | | | | Central, and the former nunnery, Las |
| months studying Spanish amongst cobble-stoned | | | | Capuchinas.Looming over the city like a |
| streets and colourful neighbourhoods. In the | | | | sleeping giant is the active volcano, Pacaya. |
| evenings, locals and tourists alike arise | | | | For a few dollars you can take a guided hike |
| from that fabulous Latin American tradition, | | | | up right to the rim of this 2500 metre |
| the siesta, and head out to enjoy the wide | | | | chimneystack.Climbing a volcano is not so |
| range of local or international cuisine on | | | | much a strenuous activity as a complicated |
| offer.Not surprisingly, the dreaded Ronald | | | | one. After a two hour uphill trek through |
| McDonald plague has spread to Guatemala. | | | | dense bushland and small mountainside |
| However, Camperos, the local finger lickin' | | | | villages, greeting passing bulls, cows and |
| chicken chain dominates, having sent Colonel | | | | chickens as they head into town to do lunch, |
| Sanders and his army running for the border | | | | you find yourself staring up at the huge dark |
| like...well like a pack of chooks with their | | | | grey cone of Pacaya, and realise the hike has |
| heads cut off some time ago. Whatever your | | | | just begun.The combination of loose rubble, |
| pleasure, once you've fuelled the belly, you | | | | steep incline, and gale force wind provides |
| can head on to a bar for a few local | | | | excellent practice for your Latin dance |
| cervezas, or Samba the night away in one of | | | | moves...one step forward, two tumbles back. |
| the lively nightclubs.During the day, most of | | | | On a clear day, you can see right into |
| the action takes place around the Grand | | | | bubbling, glowing cone. Unfortunately, we |
| Plaza. Street vendors ply their trade as tour | | | | experienced fairly heavy cloud cover. |
| buses roll into the square. It's a great | | | | Nonetheless, you get a great sense of |
| place to sample the local food and | | | | fulfillment on reaching the peak.For anyone |
| world-renowned coffee in the outdoor cafes | | | | contemplating a trip to Guatemala, Antigua |
| and restaurants, or simply hang out under | | | | provides the perfect introduction with its |
| shade in the park with the Antiguans.As you | | | | wonderful assortment of Latin charms and |
| find in most developing countries, children | | | | spirited adventures.Take a peek at |
| are always at the ready to sell you some | | | | Guatemala.Simon Hillier is a freelance writer |
| local textiles, a wood carving or jewellery, | | | | based in Sydney, Australia. His company, Get |
| while displaying sales techniques that would | | | | There Writing Services, provides copywriting, |
| put the best real estate shark to shame. | | | | travel writing, feature articles, scripts and |
| Being a sucker for an angelic smile, it was | | | | ebooks that will have your readers clicking |
| useless trying to resist the charms of a | | | | and streaming for more. For further |
| little Mayan girl who promised me that my | | | | information on Simon's article services, |
| senorita would adore me if I bought her the | | | | visit the feature articles and travel writing |
| lovely embroidery scarves her mother had made | | | | section of the Get There Writing Services |
| for us.At the other end of the bench, | | | | website. |
| knee-high brother was smoothly working on | | | | |