janusz l's photostream  

Guatemalan countryside , Just south-west of Morales . Beautiful rolling hills and variate of trees including palms. A lot of pastures but somehow cows are different , they could be standing in 2-foot grass but they look skinny … not sure they are looking after the figure … they don't like grass in particular or maybe all that green stuff has limited nutritionist .

Please view large – makes huge difference

Convent of Santa Clara founded in 1699. The convent's first church was completed in 1705, but destroyed in 1717. The remains standing today are those of a new church and convent started in 1723 and finished in 1734. A complex of corridors and stairwells gives access to various parts of the shadowy ruin. Truly beautiful and peaceful and I'm sure that I will return.

Bit of facts about Antigua Guatemala … you maybe surprised
Antigua Guatemala, founded in 1543, was the seat of Spanish colonial government for the Kingdom of Guatemala, which included Chiapas (southern Mexico), Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The full title bestowed upon the city was Muy Leal y Muy Noble Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemala, that is, the "Very Loyal and Very Noble City of Saint James of the Knights of Guatemala." For the first century or more of its existence the city did not live up to the pretentious official title, but it ultimately grew into the most important city in Central America, filled with monumental buildings of ornate Spanish colonial architecture. By 1773, in addition to the cathedral and government palace the city could boast of over 30 churches, 18 convents and monasteries, 15 hermitages, 10 chapels, the University of San Carlos, five hospitals, an orphanage, fountains and parks, and municipal water and sewer systems. According to many authors, Antigua Guatemala in its heyday, with a population of perhaps 60,000, was surpassed in the New World only by Mexico City and Lima.

This image is inspired by image created by Katie for her exhibition … unfortunately I can find it :-) but I have space below to include it later.
www.flickr.com/photos/28015872@N02/

Beautiful lake just south of Guatemala City. Less celebrated than Lake Atitlan but still nice place to visit ( our first trip outside the city on my 2nd day in Guatemala ) . This lake was very polluted but it's being cleaned actively.
Funny story , I may have not mentioned but GPS is not always very useful in Guatemala ( specially in the city … some roads will change direction depending on the needs of traffic without set time ). So Katie is driving on the leisurely trip around the lake … crossroads … OK we will ask for directions . Close to the road there are couple kids and adult man - “ Por Favor Senior “ we are looking for the road to …. the man turned around and told us directions and we drove off .
…. The Man Was BLIND !!!!!!! Directions … Perfect ! Nice helpful people .
Actually I really liked Guatemalans … Thank you all

Rays of sun , that what we need on the gloomy winter days. Just like red canoe – you can't go wrong with palms. Just north of San Luis in Peten – Guatemala. Beautiful landscape on the perfect day on the way to Tikal.

Convento de Las Capuchinas, Antigua, Guatemala
The Church and Convent of Capuchinas is a notable convent and church in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. It is one of the finest examples of an 18th century convent in Guatemala. It was consecrated in 1736 but like the rest of the city suffered damage during the 1751 and 1773 earthquakes respectively.
Beautiful convent with wonderful architecture and climate.
Capuchin nuns were forbidden to see outside world , visiting families could not see then , gifts were passed through revolving door.
This is the reason why Domenica called this place “ Cells of the Virgins “ as the rules were more like a prison.