Los pueblos de Antigua
What better way to discover the outskirts of a city than to take a lovely afternoon bike ride?
Well, if the city in question is Antigua, a motorbike ride might actually be a better idea, as the streets here are made of a kind of broken up cobblestone that makes Brussels streets look smooth as a mirror. But if you do not mind going to bed with a aching backside, a bike ride is a fantastic way to get around to the hidden pueblos in the outskirts of Antigua.
Following our teacher/guide, who was unapologetically riding ahead on her motorbike as we struggled along, we discovered the various villages and churches that lay hidden at the foot of the hills just behind the city limits.
All the villages are Santo -somethings, named after the patron saints of their little churches, and have stories to tell about the area and its history (the capital was moved to Antigua after the crater of the aptly named volcano Agua collapsed in 1541 and the water it contained flooded the previous capital), its traditions (like flying kites on the Dia de los muertos to communicate with the upper world), its economy (entire families work to harvest coffee beans in the local plantations for about $ 40 a week), and its sometimes baffling traditions (the right to carry the sacred "image" of Christ at a procession in one of the villages for a few minutes sells months in advance for about... $ 40).
Enjoy the pictures - taken on the smoother roads!
