Well, Antigua wasn't high on my to do list. But after Dennis surprised me with a weekend there - my opinion of this city moved WAAAY up the ladder. I highly recommend this place. It is full of history, charm, great restaurants, friendly people and a safe and secure atmosphere. I cannot say enough good about it.....
Look it up on Wiekipedia for history and details about it.
As we turned off the main road, Antigua still had not presented its personality. The colonial structure of "Behind Walls" is apparent in this photo. It's walking around that you see the details that make this place really magical.
The fountain at our hotels entrance.
The arch in the background is a landmark in Antigua. It was constructed to allow the nuns to move unseen between the monasteries on each side of the street.
Of course with the Catholic/Spanish history of this city, there are churches and cathedrals everywhere. Some in ruins, still used, or very elaborate.
For scale, these angels were a bit larger than life size.
The markets are plentiful and full. Lots to look at, explore, admire, and desire. All for a "very good price, my friend...."
Roasting corn
This is the Tanque de La Union. It was a gathering place for washing clothes in one of the city squares. Notice how smooth the rims of the wash basins are - all made of stone, not concrete.
Typical dress and style of the Indians. Very colorful and pretty. She came running up to Dennis and said, "Yo lo vendo". ( I will sell it to you). Undoubtly she has heard her father say this many time. So cute.
Very colorful busses and let me tell you...these women can put anything on their heads and go on with it. One lady walked by with a basket on her head and chickens sticking their heads of the basket. She happened by too quickly to get a picture.
These ladies are actually cleaning, picking, and spinning cotton into thread. They will make the blankets you see in the foreground.
Sausages in tomatoe sauce, refried beans, potatoes, great food everywhere you went. We had lunch under the trees in a church yard. The best fried chicken I have had since I was a little boy and my grandmother fried it up. Fresh!
On the Cerro de Cruz. Overlooking Antigua.
Another great trip. On our way back to the hotel on our last day. We turned a corner to see a blind girl down the street begging for change. And further down were two old, and I mean old ladies, walking arm in arm, taking the tinest steps possible. We dropped some change into the cup of the blind girl, and as we passed the two elderly ladies we noticed they had very little in their lives as far as possession go. Dennis turned back to give the ladies some change. As he caught up them, I saw him give the ladies a bit of money. They had to turn their heads way back to see up to Dennis's face, they were so small, like two little birds. One of the ladies placed her small, wrinkled hand on Dennis's as she took the money and asked blessings on his act of generosity. Dennis said you could not believe the look of gratitude and thankfullness expressed in their wrinkled eyes and almost toothless smiles.
As we turned off the main road, Antigua still had not presented its personality. The colonial structure of "Behind Walls" is apparent in this photo. It's walking around that you see the details that make this place really magical.
The fountain at our hotels entrance.
The arch in the background is a landmark in Antigua. It was constructed to allow the nuns to move unseen between the monasteries on each side of the street.
Of course with the Catholic/Spanish history of this city, there are churches and cathedrals everywhere. Some in ruins, still used, or very elaborate.
For scale, these angels were a bit larger than life size.
The markets are plentiful and full. Lots to look at, explore, admire, and desire. All for a "very good price, my friend...."
Roasting corn 
This is the Tanque de La Union. It was a gathering place for washing clothes in one of the city squares. Notice how smooth the rims of the wash basins are - all made of stone, not concrete.
Typical dress and style of the Indians. Very colorful and pretty. She came running up to Dennis and said, "Yo lo vendo". ( I will sell it to you). Undoubtly she has heard her father say this many time. So cute.
Very colorful busses and let me tell you...these women can put anything on their heads and go on with it. One lady walked by with a basket on her head and chickens sticking their heads of the basket. She happened by too quickly to get a picture.
These ladies are actually cleaning, picking, and spinning cotton into thread. They will make the blankets you see in the foreground.
Sausages in tomatoe sauce, refried beans, potatoes, great food everywhere you went. We had lunch under the trees in a church yard. The best fried chicken I have had since I was a little boy and my grandmother fried it up. Fresh!
On the Cerro de Cruz. Overlooking Antigua.
Another great trip. On our way back to the hotel on our last day. We turned a corner to see a blind girl down the street begging for change. And further down were two old, and I mean old ladies, walking arm in arm, taking the tinest steps possible. We dropped some change into the cup of the blind girl, and as we passed the two elderly ladies we noticed they had very little in their lives as far as possession go. Dennis turned back to give the ladies some change. As he caught up them, I saw him give the ladies a bit of money. They had to turn their heads way back to see up to Dennis's face, they were so small, like two little birds. One of the ladies placed her small, wrinkled hand on Dennis's as she took the money and asked blessings on his act of generosity. Dennis said you could not believe the look of gratitude and thankfullness expressed in their wrinkled eyes and almost toothless smiles.Dennis started back my way. As he was returning, I saw one of the ladies share her money with the blind girl and told Dennis to look back. They were splitting the money between them. It was a very moving and emotional sight.
That's not a souvenir, that is a memory.
