Famous for it leather works

We came up to this point where the traffic cop was directing some traffic. And there was a huge cowboy boot statue there. I asked William what it was all about. Learnt that the village that the road to the left leads to a village that is famous for its leatherworks.

In fact, we decided to take that smaller road and go thru a bunch of villages with different artisans and meet back with Pan American Highway later somewhere!

We hit the Pan American Highway again. Today’s goal is to hit the beautiful Lago Atitlan. The lake is surrounded by mountains and three volcanoes. The clouds will make it a hit or miss though.

It is Sunday morning! Today we will go to Lake Atitlan! Woke up very early morning. Unfortunately too early for my hotel to have hot coffee. So, went out to the street side cafes. Those coffee shops open up very early.

As I stepped out, this sight hit me. Yesterday, I could not discern Volcan de Agua much due to low lying clouds. Overnight, the clouds have started moving out.

That is an impressive volcano seemingly at the end of the street!!

It was nearly 10 pm. I was walking back from the restaurant. The central park was teeming with people on this Saturday night. Tired kids were still playing, adults were still buys street side food and enjoying it with others.

As I was cutting thru the park, I noticed a bunch of folks waving sparklers (like we use in Diwali). Figuring there was some kind of Easter activities going on, took a detour to check in.

Turns out there was a wedding going on! Or at least celebrations of somebody getting married!!

Walked up to Indian Accents to try out some local Indian food. I had a great time – not only with the baingan bhartha I had but also getting to know the chef and owner. Sumit Kumar used to work in Taj Palace in Delhi many many years back. Turns out the couple of times I had stayed there – he was there too. He then moved to Frankfurt as a chef of a restaurant and eventually came to Guatemala. Met his wife Maria Leonardo here and started the restaurant Indian Accents in Antigua!

He is clearly very passionate about his work. I was the last customer left. He took me inside the kitchen to show how he hand built the tandoor himself!!

If any of you ever come to Antigua, do try out Indian Accents here. Great food! Great owners!!

There I was drinking my cappuccino and watching what the local people are up to, when a procession came thru! It was the kids’ parade (for Easter). The elderly ones were mostly cleaning up after them. No surprises there!!

After seeing all those school buses plying passengers for transport, get this… ice creams are sold all over Antigua out of containers that look like small school buses. The details are interesting – check out how the side view mirrors have been meticulously put in! I think Guatemala is fascinated by school buses!