Corpus Christi in La Antigua Guatemala: A Fruitless Search and Unanswered Questions

The author begins by noting the Corpus Christi holiday in La Antigua Guatemala, a religious observance accompanied by a traditional fair. Their initial intention was to find a quince, a seasonal fruit, but their search proved fruitless.

During their exploration of the town square, the author unexpectedly met an old friend, Evaristo. Evaristo conveyed the community's anxieties regarding a large-scale urban development project near the city entrance, which he described as controversial and lacking clear justification. He sought the author's opinion, reflecting the community's desire for answers and their frustration with the municipal government and a local priest involved in the project.

The author, however, expressed a sense of resignation. They explained that they had withdrawn from local neighborhood groups three years prior, after dedicating 48 years to defending the city. This decision stemmed from the realization that their efforts were futile against what they perceived as the destructive actions of land speculators and "veiled" authorities. The author lamented that the initial goal of giving residents a voice in city governance, which they supported as City Conservator, had been undermined. They felt that some mayors had come to view these citizen groups as obstacles rather than partners, prioritizing personal enrichment over the preservation of the historic city's urban and architectural integrity.

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¡No te vas a morir!