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FOCUS - MAY 2016 55 Jonathan van Bilsen is a photographer author and columnist and can be followed at photosNtravel.com the seasoned traveller and has a wonderful swimming pool clean modern restaurants with exceptional cuisine I love to eat and spacious rooms. Antigua is the kind of village where you can spend three or four days and be totally oblivious to the goings-on around the world. Long pleasant strolls along cobbled streets doing nothing more than gazing in shop windows or admiring lo- cal architecture is an extremely relaxing way to spend a few days. There are many clothing shops which offer the latest in local fashion jade factories which create jewellery that begs to be purchased and all at reasonable cost. Tourism has not yet reached a point where greed has escalated prices be- yond reach. I especially enjoyed the square in the centre of the town. Large shade trees kept the hot temperatures at bay. Everyone was preparing for Easter a time very special to Guatemalans and a bustle is noticeable everywhere. Lunchtime around the square brings out busy chatter about the planned festivities all while enjoying an ice cream. The colourful clothes of the ladies add a festive mood. Each village in Guatemala has its own colour combination for fabric creating a pleasant uni- formity to the area. Kids are kids anywhere in the world and Antigua is no exception. The cute and friendly smiles are a surefire recipe for receiving candy but most were intrigued to view photos of themselves in my camera. They all wanted their pictures taken which created a buzz of excitement around me. The Mayans inhabited Guatemala and the surrounding area for more than two thousand years and created the basis for the present day culture. With the introduction of Christianity new traditions have emerged. Beautiful cathedrals and mag- nificent statues are everywhere and March was a great time to visit as Easter preparations were well underway. Antigua in spring is a time not to be missed. The entire season is a grandiose homage to Christianity and is re- flected in the many processions where images made artis- tically by Guatemalan artisans are paraded throughout the city. Another part of this tradition is the creation of beautiful carpets made with dozens of varieties of flowers mixed with coloured sawdust. They then adorn the streets of Antigua turning the entire city into a living work of art. The entire spring season surrounding Easter is a reflec- tion of the religious fervor brought from Spain five hundred years ago and is a time well worth the visit. Take your cam- eras and your sun tan lotion and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the warmth of the sun. Downtown Antiqua. Ladies in Guatemala dress in colourful costumes. 158 Casimir St. Port Perry 905-985-2268 virginia.frewmarlintravel.ca MC TICO 4577532 JoinouruniquegroupdepartureDIRECTfrom PETERBOROUGH Airport to June 23 - 26 Staying at Bienville House Hotel SELLING FAST