Caso Santo Domingo y Salsa Dancing, el quince de noviembre, 2016

Antigua Guatemala is packed with things for a tourist to do.  The Museum's Promenade is at the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel which also used to be the sight of the church and convent of Santo Domingo.  There are 7 different museums to visit such as the Museum of Silverware which has a large statue of Archangel Michael-

Silver came to the Americas in the 16th century with the Spanish conquerors.  They brought it for religious purposes- crosses, flags, incense burners and chalices.

The foundations of the main cloister and fountain are original.  A cloister is a covered walk in a convent, monastery, college, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other-

This tombstone is from 1659 and reads " this is of Maria of Spain and her heirs"-

Burial of people was always done with the head facing east and the feet west.  Nails and wood are visible in this coffin that was found under the floorboards in the convent's crypt. Cemeteries didn't exist until 1819 so until then, people were buried inside the church.

As space became limited in the floor, bones were accumulated in corner boxes called ossuaries-

Clerics were buried in the floor wearing their habit and holding their rosary-

There's a shop selling chocolates for $2 U.S.each!  They sure looked good and the smell.....

I like how they are using the former walls of the convent as part of their modern day church-

Inside the pre-Columbian and Glass art museum are numerous ancient sculptures-

The Maya Stella is from 250-900 A.D.

This fellow is from the same period: 300-900 A.D.-

The hole in the belly of this diety allows the soul of the deceased to exit to the upper world-

The Pre Columbian and Glass Art Museum is really cool because not only does it incorporate partial walls from the convent but modern glass pieces mimick the ancient works-

Pumpkins were hollowed out and used as bowls-

This ornate funeral urn dates from 300-900 A.D.-

In the Sacatepequez Arts and Crafts Museum, the art of candle making is explained-

Wire dolls, wearing traditional clothing are also a popular tradition-

I've been wondering why fireworks and firecrackers are constantly exploding and a display in the museum explained that they are very popular and used to celebrate birthdays, weddings, fairs, baptisms...you name it.  There are numerous loud blasts every day. Combine that with the constant rumble of Volcan Fuego, it makes for a noisy place!

After the museums, I had an hour lesson of salsa dancing. Two women led the class- they were so sexy and their moves were smooth and light.  I felt like an old plug!  It was fun and I caught on.... eventually... well sort of.  Hopefully I'll have the opportunity again in San Pedro de la Laguna, my next stop.

Tomorrow I'm going to the Azotea Cultural Center in Jacotenango with Sheny, my teacher.  It is on my list of things to do while in Antigua so I'm looking forward to it.