Two Backpackers

Backpackers & Tattoos – Episode 8

| by Jason on February 25th, 2024 | 8 Comments » | Central America, Guatemala, Travel Videos

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Watch Jason get his first tattoo ever in Antigua, Guatemala in an HD Travel Video from Jason and Aracely of TwoBackpackers.com. In Episode 8, we both get some tattoo work done and introduce you to Mike from Antigua Tattoo, who gives several of us tattoos from Basecamp Hostel. Enjoy the show!


It’s stereotypical of backpackers to get tattoos while on their journey away from home.  I fulfilled that stereotype, but I had wanted his tattoo of a burning sun for the last 3 years.

I was in Antigua, Guatemala, the first stop on our 1 year travel journey.  After Aracely was feeling better, we both took the advice from those working at Base Camp Hostel and visited Mike, owner of Tatuaje Antigua (Antigua Tattoo).   Mike had been doing some incredible work on a multi-visit tattoo for Victor, who worked at the hostel we were staying at and we were impressed.  It was an easy decision to choose Antigua Tattoo.

I knew I wanted a tattoo of a burning sun with the words, “Carpe Diem.”  The struggle would be making it look masculine enough to center between the shoulder blades below the neck.   I imagine the sun as all powerful for all of nature, including me.  The heat gives me energy and the ability to live life as exciting as I can.   After making several sketches on my own, I presented the concept to Mike.  After a few days, Mike came back with an improved artistic design that Aracely and I both approved of.   I had expanded the words to include the phrase, “Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero” – “Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future.”   This was the entire phrase from the Latin poem by Horace.

Being my first tattoo, you would think I was a bit nervous, but considering Aracely already had one, a rose on the shoulder that she got when she was 18, I kept my manhood intact by showing no fear!

Mike finished the tattoo in 2 hours.   The results were perfect.  I got exactly what I was looking for, and now, coincidentally fit the backpacker stereotype.

The inking wasn’t done, however.  Aracely originally had her blue rose tattoo done when she was 18 and at the age of 27 it had become quite dull.  Mike took 10 minutes to redo the entire rose, and now it was colorful again.

We returned back to Base Camp Hostel with our warrior badges and shared our experiences with the other 3 that had recently been inked by Mike at Antigua Tattoo.

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Tags: adventure, backpackers, Central America, Guatemala, HD video, tattoo, travel video