Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
P.M. daily, free). There are samples of the festive sawdust-and-flower carpets that adorn
the city's streets during Holy Week, as well as exhibitions on other aspects of Catholicism
and Lent.
Casa Popenoe
Authentically restored to re-create the living conditions of a 17th-century official, Casa
Popenoe (1a Avenida Sur #2, tel. 7832-3087, 2-4 P.M. Mon.-Sat., $1.50) was originally
builtin1636byDonLuisdelasInfantasMendoza.LikemuchofAntigua,itwasleftaban-
donedafterthe1773earthquakesuntilDr.WilsonPopenoeandhiswife,Dorothy,boughtit
in 1929. Dr. Popenoe, an agricultural scientist, worked with the United Fruit Company for
much of his career and had a long history of adventures in plant collecting and botany in
additiontohispainstakingrestorationofthisfantasticculturalmonument.Hediedin1975,
but two of his daughters still live in the house, including archaeologist Marion Popenoe
Hatch. You'll see paintings of Bishop Francisco Marroquín and fierce conqueror Pedro de
Alvarado. Also on display are the wonderfully restored servants' quarters and kitchen. A
narrow staircase leads up to the roof terrace, from where there are gorgeous views of An-
tigua and the volcanoes off in the distance.
Antigua has a lively nightlife scene, particularly on weekends when wealthy Guatemala
City youth flood the city streets in search of a good time.
Bars
AplayonthePinkFloydsong,“TheWall,”
El Muro
(3aCalleOriente#19,tel.7832-8849,
6 P.M.-1 A.M. Mon.-Sat.) is Antigua's newest gathering place, popular with the American
expat crowd. It has cool chalk art on the walls and basic snacks for when the munchies
set in, including pizza, grilled chicken, and hot dogs. You can also order food from Ni-Fu
Ni-Fa next door. Also popular with the American expat crowd is
Café No Sé
(1a Avenida
Sur#11C,tel.5501-2680,9A.M.-1A.M.daily),whereyoucanenjoydrinksinarustically
charming setting, often with live music. There's also good pub grub, though the main at-
tractionisthetequila/mescalbar.Thesecond-handbookstorenextdoorisopenuntil4P.M.
Just a few doors down,
Nokiate
(1a Avenida Sur #7, tel. 7821-2896,
www.nokiate.com
,
6:30 P.M.-1 A.M. Tues.-Fri., noon-3 P.M. and 6:30 P.M.-1 A.M. Sat., noon-9 P.M. Sun.)
