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