Our Man in Antigua

in this case, not the Italian word for suppository…it refers to the current flurry of rumors, gossip and as we say here in Antigua…’chisme.’….specifically the recent outing of some weird people in the park, either on Facebook and/or the Guatemala Chronicle (google it)…pictures and names. Any long time ex-pat gringo will tell you not to mingle/be seen or hang out with the local village girls, for fear of association with other previous gringos who have come/gone, for nefarious reasons(minors/sex stuff) but the people within the above mentioned article were warned, verbally and otherwise…one would’ve thought that being taken by local police and ‘questioned’ a few weeks ago would’ve been sufficient notice…obviously not..too dumb or too careless? who cares? not me, btw…’they’  apparently don’t get it that  we (gringos) are a highly visible part of this community and that any/all actions are noted…whew…dumb moves, guys…sorry about the fall out but there will be more.

and so, the new water lines, installed last year or so? on 5th calle, in front of Bodogona is an ongoing leak/project…if you’ve ever had a  ring and valve job on an older engine, you know that the new/increased compression puts a strain on the rest of the motor…will this happen here?…the city continues to fence in the central park with more ‘decorative steel grill work.’….trimmed with gravel, no less:  keep those pesky villagers/dogs off the lawn, eh?

and, speaking of the City…this Sunday marks the start of a new project: keep the  incoming visitors with cars from parking on the newly cleaned streets…the muni parking lot, outside Antigua hold about 500 cars…they will get to park there and shuttle into town….hmmm, 500 shiny new SUV’s? what a prize/jackpot for any wandering semi-smart car thieves…one would hope that ‘security’ is on-duty and not part of any ring of thieves….in Guatemala? no…yes, of course…my, what a fine looking SUV that is…or was. so, keep out the  visitors from the City? next, a fee at the bus station to access the park?

Air Quality today? none, unless you like seeing the air you’re inhaling..ah, this town…never boring, never quiet…a bubbling bowl of granola, complete with  fruits, flakes and nuts.