In Guatemala, 40 days before Easter, carnivals sprout up in the weekends. Last night, we ambled through the largest. I only saw one other gringo. It is where the Guatemalans do their annual shopping & where Special sweets entice the eye.
It is also a place that clearly embodies race & class distinctions. Almost all the vendors are indigenous. So my mind & heart are more connected to the village where we will go tomorrow
In the outskirts of Quetzaltenango, known as Xela. About 7,500 ft. and Always damp & cold and interesting.
This is the end of the street where my AFOPADI friends live.
A few doors down. ..
And this Was the plant surprise!
Thunbergia mysorensis. Of the previous post. Thanks to Dan Harris for sleuthing.
The nights are beautiful here, away from the big city lights. Last night, the moon hung over this ruined church as if posed by a lovely assistant. Both moon and ruin (Antigua used to be the seat of national government until earthquakes forced a move to Guatemala City in the 1700s) give context to our human condition. In the village, I am usually embraced by stars. But I will be there during the moon's brighter two weeks. So I shall see...
Hi from the lovely tourist town of Antigua, Guatemala! Eating Kale & Chickpea salad while I am still in a place where I can eat raw veggies without worry of parasites.
The plant Life here is always enticing, but the misguided pruning seems to be universal. Here are some squared trees against the natural curves of the volcanos. One erupted the day I arrived! Geology & Black Hole discoveries expanding my experience of the universe...
Central Park
Aqua volcano. Fuego erupted.http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/fuego/news.html
Tropical vine whose name Escapes me...
First visit since place repaired after damaging hail storm. http://www.garfieldconservatory.org
Read this recent Guardian article on one of the artist-activists I most admire: http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/feb/01/ai-weiwei-poses-as-drowned-syrian-infant-refugee-in-haunting-photo?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+main+NEW+H&utm_term=154072&subid=7923725&CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2
Nature is so So arty.
Begonias Blooming.
