Antigua Guatemala

La Antigua Guatemala means the "Old Guatemala" and was the third capital of Guatemala. This is my favorite town to visit and it is located about 45 minutes from the city.This place is famous for its well-preserved Spanish influence and Baroque architecture as well as a number of spectacular ruins of colonial churches. We stayed in a hotel called "Las Farolas" for a few days. It has a beautiful garden with spectacular flowers and plants.

The temperature at night was so perfect to sit, relax and read a book.

This place was surrounded by plants and antiques.

I couldn't resist taking pictures of these beautiful exotic plants.

Look at this... it's so pretty!

This flower is called "Yellow Shrimp"

Huge leaves!While taking these pictures, someone was watering the plants by hand, with a hose :o) BTW this garden is pretty big!

This is a really cool vine. Are you able to see the lines coming from the top? Look at the bottom of the window and you will see the flowers at the end. Here is a closer look of the flower. Gorgeous, don't you think?
We took a horse carriage to the Central Park (only 3 blocks from the hotel).

Isy and my sister Vivi, my Mom and I

This is the entrance to one of the Souvenir Markets

While at the market I saw this indigenous hand weaving a textile. She explained to me that they have a story on each of them and it takes her 3 months to make one. They're sold for very little money compare to the amount of time it takes to make it.

This is one of many Catholic Churches in Antigua Guatemala. This one is use now for events. That night they had a wedding celebration and it looked like a night club.

The Central Plaza is surrounded by important buildings dating back from colonial times, this central plaza is the main hangout for locals. It’s always packed on weekends and festivals, when it is the scene for concerts and parades.

Fountain and Cathedral.

Closer look of the fountain. Don't you like it?

Cathedral

A couple of jewelry vendors at the Central Park.Hanging out at the Central Park.I guess she didn't want her picture taken!

This group of indigenous were playing "Marimba" and some other instruments while the little boy was dancing.

Streets of Antigua Guatemala

Isy being attacked by an angel!If you would like to hear how "Marimba" sounds like, click on the video bellow.

Airplane Ride to Guatemala

Last month, on October 1st, Isabelle and I went to Guatemala. We were so excited for our trip!
This is Isy going to the airport.

She is a small creature and only weights 27 pounds so they allowed her to go with the carry-on baggage.

This girl was so sweet and tried to make Isabelle smile, but it didn't happen... Nice try pretty girl!

She was such a good traveler.While at the Airport you have to "have" the experience of buying something in there. She picked tic-tacs. I asked her to eat one at a time to avoid ear ache. She was pretty good about it and did as I asked. No ear aches :o)
She wanted to talk to Daddy :o( ... come on Isy, we just saw him 1 hour ago!Behind Isabelle is the airplane to go to Atlanta.

We departed at 10:55 PM. Good bye Seattle!

Almost midnight! of course she is tired. Do you think I was able to sleep?
NO! How can you sleep in an airplane?
Four and a half hours later we arrived to Atlanta. What? Morning already! We had a layover for 3 hours and 20 minutes. Isabelle took another nap.

Okay, this is her 3rd nap... Flight from Atlanta to Guatemala. Lucky her!

Time to do some coloring before landing!
Aerial view of Guatemala
(sorry, the window was dirty and didn't notice until the pictures were taken)

More posting of our trip coming soon!

Sunset at Redondo

We took the kids for a walk at Redondo Beach. It was a beautiful summer day in the afternoon.

I love my two little girls!

The love of my life (sigh)

Water is pretty cold but, kids don't really care :o)

Filming MultiCare Commercial

Jer's employer, MultiCare, is a health care organization that owns 4 hospitals and multiple clinics, including the Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma. They were looking for models for an upcoming commercial and Andre fit the bill (gotta love the boy's "diversity"). He was invited to the video shoot where he had his own wardrobe, make-up and Hair person, and about 20 crew and directors who were producing the commercial.

Andre was placed at a table in front of a massive green screen (like you see in movie production), and surrounded by lights and diffusers. There were cameras set up to catch his every move. Only the art directors sat out front with him. Everyone else was hidden behind the screens watching the shoot on the monitors. Andre just had to play games the whole time. For an hour and a half they made jokes to him while he played with remote control cars, blew bubbles, etc.

When they finally got the perfect shot they used it at the end of their new commercial. It is airing all over the Seattle/Tacoma region. Here's the final product: