Cobblestones - quaint, atmospheric feature or ankle breaking hazard

Sunday, May 27, 2:30pm -

Again, the internet connection is up and down, so I’ll post this online after things improve.

It’s been rainy here. Last night it poured and today started out sunny early and then got cloudy and cooler with scattered rain.

The whole of Antigua proper is “paved” with cobblestones. Oh, that sounds very quaint and European, you might say, and I suppose it is in theory. In practicality, it makes for fillings- rattlling, bone jarring travel by any vehicle. I had considered the possibility of renting a scooter or a bicycle while I was here, but immediately dropped that idea as soon as we were driven into Antigua by our driver from the airport. Yet, people are driving everywhere; in cars, chicken buses, tuk-tuks, bicycles and motor scooters. I’m not even sure why tho’, you can walk from one side of Antigua to the other in under an hour.

Not only are the cobblestones brain bouncing to ride upon, they are very tricky to walk on as well, yet I see young Guate women walking down the sidewalks and across the streets in 3”-4” heels and not breaking their ankles. I’m amazed.

Not only are the streets treacherous, but the sidewalks make for an interesting stroll as well. They are very narrow in most places and we often have to walk into the street to pass people. Most of them are not in very good shape either. It just doesn’t seem to be a high priority of the owners of the property to spend money to repair the walk in front of their buildings. If I manage to not get an ankle sprain while I’m here, it will be a major accomplishment.

I have a theory as to why Antigua has not paved their streets and gotten rid of the cobblestones. Aside from the money it would cost, I think the cobblestones are probably more forgiving and easier to repair in case of earthquake. The cobblestones probably just shift around during an earthquake and don’t get too much worse than they already are. If some section gets too lifted up, all that would have to be done is take the stones out of that section, level it off and replace the stones. Voila! Ready to rattle your bones again.

The cobblestones are definitely one of the things that make Antigua, Antigua, but it’s one of the things I’m personally less than thrilled with.