The Basilica is a huge and relatively new church. I am guessing it was built in the early 1900´s as they have some old photos of the construction - I suppose I could do some research. Typical of the Catholics to spend so much effort and money on a church like this while the people being ministered to go hungry - I will never understand that, but of course I don´t understand organized religion anyway. Be that as it may, its a beautiful building but in some neglect. One is able to climb the belfry (I think that's what it is called) tower on the right and the clock tower on the left (the one nearest in the photo) for a mere $2. Safe?? Not sure, but you best be careful.
La Basilica
The inside of the church - it is something - notice the ceiling - a few pictures later you will see it from the other side.
Continuing up the belfry tower (on the outside) and these are steep stairs.
A better view of the stairs
From the top of the tower looking at the clock towers - in between at the top of the hill is ``la virgen´´. I climbed 2 or 3 floors above the clock - which have not been functioning since the early 1990´s.
To get to the tower you must walk across the ceiling of the church - well here it is - at least if this collapses you don´t have far to fall.
This is taken on my way up the clock tower. This was a tad safer, normal steps most of the way and then ladders up the last few flights, but the farthest you could fall is maybe 10 or 12 feet.
The belfry tower
the ladders working my way up to the tip top of the clock tower.
Yours truly at the top of the belfry tower.
Graciela y Alma
From left to right in the back, Graciela y Alma. From left to right in the front, Estilita, Reyna Guadalupe y Paty
Just a shot of the feria
Graciela y Alma - this was called the zipper
I won this for Esperanza - of course to win it, it cost me 35Q - but she loved it. Esperanza can't talk.
This building was built about 1900 and is a pedestrian mall, that you can walk thru. There are several businesses inside, one particular of note. 
The business of note is Salon Tecun, the oldest running bar in Guatemala - since the 30's
Estelita before
Graciela before
Not sure why Graciela wanted the hair in front to hang there - oh well its not my hair, which by the way they wanted me to have braided - no way!
My dinner - this picture doesn´t really do justice as to how big that plate of food is - and yes I ate almost all my vegies.
This is Pitaya (If the guy at the restaraunt spelled it correct) - a very interesting/tasting fruit - I love the color though.
La Basilica
The inside of the church - it is something - notice the ceiling - a few pictures later you will see it from the other side.
Continuing up the belfry tower (on the outside) and these are steep stairs.
A better view of the stairs
From the top of the tower looking at the clock towers - in between at the top of the hill is ``la virgen´´. I climbed 2 or 3 floors above the clock - which have not been functioning since the early 1990´s.
To get to the tower you must walk across the ceiling of the church - well here it is - at least if this collapses you don´t have far to fall.
This is taken on my way up the clock tower. This was a tad safer, normal steps most of the way and then ladders up the last few flights, but the farthest you could fall is maybe 10 or 12 feet.
The belfry tower
the ladders working my way up to the tip top of the clock tower.
Yours truly at the top of the belfry tower.
The big laguna
The second laguna - much smaller
me
The 3 cyclists and me. They were taking turns taking pictures with only 3 people in them so I offered to take their picture together.
The road for the majority of the way is stone - very hard to walk on.
It was cloudy but the scenery on the way down was gorgeous.
my road
Posts
