Latin America guide


Antigua Guatemala - Latin Charm Beneath The Volcano

Antigua was the capital of Guatemala untilsenorita, telling her that she had the eyes
1773, when the Santa Marta earthquake rockedof a goddess, and any man who did not adorn
the foundations of the town. Still, the cityher with such a gift was not worthy of her.
retains its colonial charm in the extravagantIt was now three against one, so I handed
architecture of buildings, churches, conventsover a wad of Quetzales to the grinning
and old residences, which offer more than adynamic duo.It's worth spending at least a
glimpse of past prosperity.Tourism isday exploring Antigua's colonial buildings
Antigua's main income generator. With moreand ruins. The most impressive examples being
than 60 language schools in a city of justCatedral de Santiago, San Francisco, the
over 30,000 people, it's a populartown's most notable church near Parque
destination for westerners to spend a fewCentral, and the former nunnery, Las
months studying Spanish amongst cobble-stonedCapuchinas.Looming over the city like a
streets and colourful neighbourhoods. In thesleeping giant is the active volcano, Pacaya.
evenings, locals and tourists alike ariseFor 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 widechimneystack.Climbing a volcano is not so
range of local or international cuisine onmuch a strenuous activity as a complicated
offer.Not surprisingly, the dreaded Ronaldone. 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 Colonelchickens as they head into town to do lunch,
Sanders and his army running for the borderyou find yourself staring up at the huge dark
like...well like a pack of chooks with theirgrey cone of Pacaya, and realise the hike has
heads cut off some time ago. Whatever yourjust begun.The combination of loose rubble,
pleasure, once you've fuelled the belly, yousteep incline, and gale force wind provides
can head on to a bar for a few localexcellent practice for your Latin dance
cervezas, or Samba the night away in one ofmoves...one step forward, two tumbles back.
the lively nightclubs.During the day, most ofOn a clear day, you can see right into
the action takes place around the Grandbubbling, glowing cone. Unfortunately, we
Plaza. Street vendors ply their trade as tourexperienced fairly heavy cloud cover.
buses roll into the square. It's a greatNonetheless, you get a great sense of
place to sample the local food andfulfillment on reaching the peak.For anyone
world-renowned coffee in the outdoor cafescontemplating a trip to Guatemala, Antigua
and restaurants, or simply hang out underprovides the perfect introduction with its
shade in the park with the Antiguans.As youwonderful assortment of Latin charms and
find in most developing countries, childrenspirited adventures.Take a peek at
are always at the ready to sell you someGuatemala.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 wouldThere 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 wasebooks that will have your readers clicking
useless trying to resist the charms of aand streaming for more. For further
little Mayan girl who promised me that myinformation on Simon's article services,
senorita would adore me if I bought her thevisit the feature articles and travel writing
lovely embroidery scarves her mother had madesection of the Get There Writing Services
for us.At the other end of the bench,website.
knee-high brother was smoothly working on



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