By: NYChapin

NYChapin — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:07:00 +0000

oh what a great shot. Half of my short life in Guate was spent in and around the Cerrito. I think I left half of my knees playing futbol in the dusty area to the left of the church. Later they put more giant flower pots and made it a little more difficult to get a full field ( I blamed the Padre for that) When the Clark Tour buses full of tourists used to rumble up the cobblestone road, I would join the rest of the patojos up near the cross and offer to have our picture taken with the gringos. Some times we would get a few “chocas” ( google it in a guate site and be careful not to write “chicas” or you will be in trouble) from them and later a scolding from our parents for being so “atrevidos”. I saw the footsteps of “pie de lana” de chapin Robin Hood and contemplated the tranquil waters of a fountain where the “Llorona” would come at night and wash her hair. After the Quake of 76, I slept with my family on a giant tent. I remember the mariguaneros and locos lurking around. There was a guy who would walk around the park reading a book whitout looking up ( I do the same now). I saw my first muerto there.His eyes were still open, I guess you can spend a lifetime trying to describe that look on his face, but “peaceful” is the word that often comes to mind. First time back after many years gone, I made the mistake of going up the road in a car. It did not feel right. I was there for a wedding, but I what I really wanted to do was to play a chamusca with my cousins. Maybe next time.

Comments on: Cerrito del Carmen

By: NYChapin