Another perspective and more pictures of Antigua
"Our final day was spent doing the traditional tourist day in Antigua and wonderful meal at Cafe Sky.
Our amazing team leaders, Miguel and David, managed to herd us through cobblestone streets and market labyrinths without losing anyone.
Around every corner are colorful walls, carved doorways, flower boxes, myriad small shops and cafes, armed policia, ruins, artists, street vendors and tourists -- mostly American!
An elderly gentleman who is half Mayan, half Spanish and a native of Antigua, "adopted" us and led us on an historical tour through the main Catholic church (which is still in use) and its adjacent ruins dating back to the 1548, which had been destroyed by an earthquake in the 1773. Much of it was built over traditional Mayan worship grounds -- not by accident. The catacomb burial areas remain intact and are still used today. Of course they are segregated into separate rooms for those worshiping Mayan gods and those who are Catholic.
Returning to VOH was bittersweet knowing that all that is left to do is pack, say goodbye, and set a very early alarm for tomorrow morning.
P.S. Miguel, if you are reading this, all day I was trying to remember Iximche, the Mayan ruins in Tecpan, outside of Antigua, which was the final Mayan capital in Guatemala. Muchas gracias, amigo!" - Suzi
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