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Published: February 22nd 2010
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Today we set off to wander, as shown on the map. Antigua is the old capital city of the Spanish colony. Many churches were built, and many were damaged and eventually collapsed from the persistent earthquakes in this volcanic land.
Maureen wanted to see the Mayan Museum because it is highly recommended by Lonely Planet, the one “must see” place. It was not found at the place designated by their map. Someone was kind enough to give us directions, “up three blocks and over two.” After two more kindly directions, someone told us "Oh, I remember, it closed seven years ago."
Cemetaries and Violence
Of course I wanted to see the cemetery. We were advised, by two different people, “oh, don’t go there without a police escort.” Really?! We went anyway, and quickly saw why. The massive gravestones are perfect hiding places for thugs. Neither they nor you could be seen from the street. No one is likely to rescue you. We did not stay long.
“Vox Populi”, a person on the street regular feature of La Prensa, asks about violence on page three.
“Do you think we
Antigua Cemetery
This colonial cemetery has a rather different feel from the pueblo cemetery. live in a violent society?” 13% say it is “violent”; 87% say it is “very violent.”
“In the past few months, do you know someone who has been assaulted?” 2% do not answer, 13% say no, 68% yes, “someone I know,” 25% yes, “me, or someone in my family.”
“What steps do you take to protect yourself?” 87% do not go out at night, 78% do not get on just any taxi, 73% hide cell phones, 70% are always accompanied by someone, 66% only takes buses in limited hours, 13% carry eye spray, and 1% carry a gun. I rarely saw single women walking during the day, and cannot recall one at night. ( In fact, I saw very few people at night, but this does not mean they are doing a lot inside, judging by our hostels, which have just one dim bulb, enough light to find a bathroom door. Anyway, people get up at dawn, to get something done before the heat starts cooking. )
“Has this become significantly worse in the past year?” 80% yes.
"What is the primary cause?" 15% unemployment, 14% government doesn’t do anything, and 10% values. -on this last point,
the only police cars I saw were at night. Store owners hire their own armed guard to stand outside the store for protection.
“Should security be doubled (!) in airports?” Response 100%!Y(MISSING)es, 0%!N(MISSING)o. I was surprised. Do many locals frequent airports?
I expect it will only be a matter of time, if not already, that their cities will have pirañas, like Quito does. Usually at night, packs of a dozen youth will swarm a car, stopped at a light or in traffic, and swiftly, ruthlessly, undress it. Hubcaps, mirrors, lights, shattering windows for briefcases, laptops, watches, radios, sunglasses, anything. The car owner, helpless, honking frantically to no one, certainly not the police, and aware that the smartest thing to do is nothing at all. Now sometimes in daylight, the prey caught in commuter traffic. Pirañas, coming soon to a neighborhood near you.
Back to wandering
As the sun went down, the streets filled up with a new crowd. Lines of SUVs and BMWs from Guat City, stuffing the small streets, filled with laughing twenty and thirty somethings, professionals from Guat City, coming to Fort Lauderdale to party hardy. It was Saturday Night!
An assisted living facility
Their sign reads: Home for Old People “Little Heads of Cotton.” Knowing how their seniors are regarded gently and respectfully this sign feels endearing. Antigua was rockin' again. We sat at a table with nachos and a row of tequila shooters and watched a great show.
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Marcia Billings
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Again, a little scary. Darn.