Christmas in Beautiful Guatemala

Christmas in Guatemala

December in Guatemala is a special time of year, many traditional and cultural experiences happen depending on what part of Guatemala you visit. In the larger cities you will experience many of the same things we do here in America like Christmas trees, wreaths, and with Guatemala being such fertile soil Poinsettias are a big hit.

A big event that happens on December 21st is the birthday of Santo Tomas, patron saint of the Quiche Maya market town of Chichicastenango. Festivities are centered on the square in front of the church, where hundreds of costumed dancers perform amid a riotously colorful crowd of tightly packed Maya onlookers.

Christmas time is special and when you can spend it with friends and family it even makes it a more special time of year. Make it a priority to reach out and touch someone this special time of year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.

Latin American Coffee Exports Rose 5.7% in November

Coffee exports from Mexico and eight other Latin American countries climbed 5.7 percent in November from a year earlier, an industry group said. Total shipments rose to 1.73 million bags from 1.64 million bags, Guatemala’s National Coffee Association, or Anacafe, said in a report e-mailed yesterday.

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(Reuters) - A landslide in northern Guatemala on Tuesday killed three children and another 12 people buried in the disaster are believed dead, a local official said.

Heavy predawn rains caused the disaster that buried four homes while families slept.

"They have been trapped under heavy mud. It's unlikely that anyone is still alive," Sergio Cabanas, director of civil defense, told Reuters.

Rain and unstable terrain prevented rescue teams from reaching the landslide on foot and crews have been removing dirt with heavy machinery. Rescuers will continue to search for victims through Thursday, Cabanas said.

Authorities by Tuesday evening had removed from the rubble the bodies of two young boys - four and six years old - and a seven-year-old girl.

(Reporting by Mike McDonald; Editing by Vicki Allen)

Guatemalan Coffee Ranks Right Up Among the Great Coffees Of the World

Guatemalan Coffee Ranks Right Up Among the Great Coffees Of the World
By Greg Parsons

The top three coffee producers in the world are Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. But in terms of producing quality coffee, Colombia dwarfs its close competitors. And what country comes next after Colombia in high-grade coffee production? The traditional coffee powerhouse Brazil? No. It is Guatemala, a small Central American nation that has just been recovering from the ravages of a 36-year civil war.

It is not, however, not surprising that Guatemala to produces such quality coffee. Guatemalans have known coffee for centuries. The first plant was brought to Guatemala by Jesuit priests in the 1750s, who thought that it would make a great ornamental tree. Widespread coffee cultivation would follow half a century later.

Today, connoisseurs consider Guatemalan coffee as one of the finest in the world. As a testament to its greatness, Guatemala is a regular participant of the Cup of Excellence (COE), the most premiere annual coffee competition in the world that is organized in order to determine the best coffee in each registered coffee-producing country. Just think of the COE as coffee's Super Bowl. The finest and most expensive coffee in Guatemala that has been auctioned through the COE came from Huehuetenango, one of the main growing regions in the Central American nation. Its price? Well, it was bought for a whooping US$ 80.20 per pound.

And it is a well-deserved price. For Guatemalan coffee indeed offers an unforgettable experience to anyone. Ask any coffee enthusiast who has wide knowledge of different brands and you would probably hear from them that coffee from Guatemala is included in their top 5 best coffee lists.

How does Guatemalan coffee acquire its unique and rich flavor? Obviously, one huge factor is the climate. Guatemalan weather, not too wet and not too humid, is perfect for growing. Plant coffee in an arid area and you will get beans that are too acidic. Cultivate them in a place where rainfall is constant and you will get coffee that tastes dull. Guatemala's mild climate is just the coffee tree wants.

Amiable climate alone would not make good coffee. The substrate must also be in optimum condition. Coffee wants soil that is not all rich in nutrients and minerals but also has mild Ph levels. And that is exactly what Guatemalan soil offers. Because it is located in a region where volcanic activity is rather high, soil in Guatemala is mostly volcanic in origin. What makes volcanic soil good for coffee is the fact that it contains huge amounts of minerals and is not acidic in nature.

But the main factor that accounts for the goodness of Guatemalan coffee is the way it is cultivated. Almost all trees in Guatemala are shade grown. Farmers do not expose coffee trees to the sun. Rather, they cultivate them amidst the shade of larger trees like macadamia. The result is that the beans develop slower. How does that make coffee taste great? Well, when a bean matures slowly it becomes harder and develop richer flavors.

Greg has been writing articles for over 4 years. Please visit his latest website about gourmet coffee at Coffee Bean Reviews, with information on finding the best Guatemalan Coffee, with ideas and discussions that any coffee lover would be interested in.
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Iconic Birds to Look Out For On Your Latin America Vacation

Iconic Birds to Look Out For On Your Latin America VacationBy Karen Ward

From the high Andes to the Amazon jungle, Latin America is a birdwatchers' paradise. Among the huge range of birds in Latin America are a few that have become emblematic of the continent. The Condors, hummingbird, Quetzal and macaw are birds to look out for on your Latin America vacation.

The Andean condor is the big daddy of the bird kingdom is an important symbol in the Andes. Watching the huge condors soar overhead is an unforgettable moment in any vacation in the Andes. At 10 feet (3 meters), condors have the largest wingspan of any land based bird. Their wingspan combined with a hefty weight of 33 pounds (15 kilos) makes getting off the ground a tough task for condors. To compensate, condors live in mountainous areas where they can cruise along on the thermals and wind currents. Although condors do live along the coast and desert areas, they prefer the open spaces of the Andes.

Colca Canyon in Peru is arguabley the deepest canyon in the world, a beautiful landscape and also the location of 'the Cross of the Condors', At this scenic spot above Colca Canyon, you are guaranteed to spot condors who gather here daily. The magnificent Torres del Paine National Park in the far south of Chile, is also a good spot for seeing Condors.

From the largest bird to the smallest. Hummingbirds are tiny birds measuring just 3-5 inches (7.5-13cm). The smallest bird in the world is the Bee Hummingbird at 5cm long. Hummingbirds characteristically hover around flowers and use their long bills to drink the nectar. In order to hover, hummingbirds flap their wings in incredible 12-90 times per second. Hummingbirds are found throughout Central and South America, from lowlands to heights of 5,200m in the Andean highlands.

Ecuador is species rich with 130 types of hummingbirds. Good places to spot Hummingbirds include cloud forest around Zaruma in the south east of the country. The best and most developed area for seeing Hummingbirds though is Mindo. A range of reserves in the Mindo area are dedicated to protecting and observing Hummingbirds.

The Quetzal was sacred to Mesoamerican people, and is still revered today in Guatemala where the Quetzal is the unit of currency. Quetzals are brilliantly coloured and are generally regarded as the most beautiful bird in the world. In the mating season between March and June, the male can grow an amazing train measuring up to 3 feet (1 meter) long.

Parts of Costa Rica and Panama are considered the best places to spot quetzals. Panamas national parks of Volcan Baru and La Amistad are ideal places to travel to spot quetzals. The aptly named Quetzal Trail through Volcan Baru National Park near Boquete offers excellent opportunities to spot the Resplendant Quetzal.

Many of the 17 species of macaw, are very rare or endangered. These incredibly beautiful and colourful birds are perfectly suited to the bright greens and colourful fruit of the Amazon rain forest. Macaws are social birds and congregate in flocks of 10-30 individuals. When together, they make a terrific noise as they chat to each other and mark their territory. Macaws are romantic birds who mate with the same partner for life and even share food and groom each other. On the eastern sides of the Andes, macaws congregate at river banks to lick the clay soil. At these clay licks, visitors can see the fabulous spectacle of hundreds of macaws all congregating together early in the morning.

An excellent place to see macaws in the wild is a clay lick in the Tambopata Reserve near Cusco, Peru; home of the Tambopata Macaw Project.

South and Central America are wonderful places to spot wildlife from the Amazon to the could forests of Panama and of course the Galapagos islands; making a Latin American vacation perfect for families of all ages.

Karen Ward uses her years of experience of living and travelling in Latin America to plan customized, private and combination tours at Into Latin America. Visit Tambopata, Colca Canyon, Panama and Mindo on our great tour packages.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Ward
http://EzineArticles.com/?Iconic-Birds-to-Look-Out-For-On-Your-Latin-America-Vacation&id=6254601


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Backstrap Weaving - Ancient Craft Still Practiced by the Mayan Women of Guatemala

Backstrap Weaving - Ancient Craft Still Practiced by the Mayan Women of GuatemalaBy Karen Pickett

Backstrap weaving is an ancient art practiced for centuries in many parts of the world - Peru, Guatemala, China, Japan, Bolivia, Mexico and Native Americans. Today it is still used on a daily basis in many parts of Guatemala to weave fabrics to make clothing and other household cloth needs. Many of the women also weave a variety of items to help earn a living by selling to tourists.

The looms are simple, typically 6 sticks, usually handmade by the weaver. A backstrap loom is easily portable because it can simply be rolled up and laid aside when not in use. The back rod is tied to a tree or post while weaving and the other end has a strap that encircles the waist and the weaver can move back or forward to produce the needed tension. The weaver usually sits on the ground but as the person ages that is more difficult and they may use a small stool.

In Guatemala the women have typically used cotton yarn for their weavings and used natural plants from their area to dye the yarn various colors. They still tint yarn by hand but also buy cotton yarn that has already been chemically dyed. The natural tints are softer colors than chemical dyes. These natural tints come from plants and bark such as:

sacatinta -a blue color
coconut shell -brown
carrots -orange
achote -soft orange/peach
hibiscus flower -rosy pink
chilca -soft yellow
bark of the avocado tree -beige

The backstrap loom also known as the belt loom can make different widths of fabric depending of the width of the rods. Guatemalan artisan weavers can weave as narrow as a belt or as large as 24 -26 inch width and perhaps more. If a cloth needs to be wider, the two pieces are joined together with heavy embroidery stitches. An example of this would be the corte (the skirt) of the Mayan women, which if hand-woven would have the pieces joined with embroidery stitches.

A great book about weaving with the backstrap was written by Barbara Taber and Marilyn Anderson in 1975 - "Backstrap Weaving, step by step techniques on one of the oldest and most versatile looms". Another book with some information is "The Weaving Primer, A Complete Guide to Inkle, Backstrap, and Frame Looms" by Nina Holland, 1978.

Education And More, a Christian Fair Trade organization, works with artisan weavers in Guatemala and helps them earn a Fair Trade income with their backstrap weavings. Visit our website and our Education And More blog to learn more about Fair Trade, backstrap weaving, and our Women's Artisan Groups. There are many photographs of the backstrap loom and of women weaving in Guatemala!

Karen Pickett, Director
Education And More

http://www.educationandmore.org/
A Christian Fair Trade organization working to educate children and reduce poverty in Guatemala.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Pickett
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Volcano Hunting In Guatemala - Hot Stuff

Author: Gary Sargent

If geography classes never used to excite you, Guatemala will change all that. Sitting on the boundary between two tectonic plates, the country is host to over 30 volcanoes of all shapes, sizes and states of activity. If you ever wanted to see what the inside of our planet is like and what happens when it decides to make an appearence, Guatemala is for you. From the thrill seeking adrenaline junkies that want to stand next to flowing lava to those wanting to see the lush tree-covered volcanic slopes rising above the gorgeous Lake Atitlan, there's something for everyone.

Active volcanoes - Bubbling Hot

If you want to feel like you're inside a National Geographic Channel episode, you couldn't go wrong with a visit to the following active volcanoes.

1) Pacaya

Pacaya is an active volcano located within easy reach, just 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Guatemala City. A short hike brings visitors to the summit, where they can observe eruptions of ash and lava at close range. Some even return with stories of how walking over the upper slopes melted the soles of their shoes...

2) Fuego

Constantly spewing small ash clouds, this monstrous volcano's last major eruption occurred in 1974. To hike up barren slope is grueling, and most visitors will be content to admire Fuego's beauty from the safety of Antigua's cobblestone streets.

3) Santiaguito

The most dangerous volcano in Central America, Santiaguito first erupted on Volcano Santa Maria's southern flank in 1922. It constantly spews spectacular ash clouds and lava, and may be safely observed from nearby Santa Maria's summit. The hike to the top of Santa Maria takes about 4 hours and camping on the summit is recommended, to witness a spectacular nighttime lava show from Santiaguito below.
Dormant volcanoes - Keeping Us Guessing

They can't promise booming gas eruptions or spewing lava, but these volcanoes are just as impressive to visit.

1) Acatenango

Acatenango's last eruption was in 1972, so you can climb all the way to the summit without dodging lava flows. One of the most beautiful and varied hikes availble, you'll pass through entirely different ecosystems on the way to the summit. First farmland, then cloud forest followed by high alpine forest and finally the volcanic zone to the very summit.

2) Agua

Looming over the pretty colonial town of Antigua, a climb up this volcano is recommended for spectacular views. Hiking time is about 5 hours from Santa Maria de Jesus, or 2 hours from the end of road that climbs partway to the top.

3) Atitlan

The tallest of the three volcanoes dominating the stunning lake with which it shares its name, Atitlan's summit takes about 8 hours to reach; the reward is a breathtaking view of the world's most beautiful lake and Guatemala's Pacific coast.

Extinct volcanoes - Just Big Hills

Their glory days as unstoppable forces of nature may be gone, but the volcanoes left by ancient activity still have plenty to offer the visitor, especially in the way of flora and fauna left undisturbed by any activity.

1) San Pedro

Perhaps the most frequently photographed of all Guatemala's volcanoes, San Pedro's beautiful cone seems to rise from the waters of Lake Atitlan. The hike to the top takes about 4 hours, and while visitors will not get great views due heavy vegetation on the summit, the crater serves as refuge for rarely encountered species of plants and animals.

2) Toliman
One of the three volcanoes, along with Atitlan and San Pedro, that forms the natural dam holding in Lake Atitlan, Toliman has its own delights to offer. A small group of rare Horned Guans survives in the forest near the summit and hikers should plan on camping out for a good chance of sighting the birds.

3) Cerro de Oro

A smaller volcano on the south side of Lake Atitlan provides an interesting mix of geography and history, having once contained a Mayan fortress in its crater.

Getting to know the varied and spectacular geography of Guatemala will undoubtedly be an adventure, but that doesn't mean you should take unneccessary risks. If the lure of the active volcanoes should take your fancy, ensure that you book a tour with a reputable and responsible agency that provides you with a professional guide. This way you'll make sure that you will have nothing but incredible memories and photos of some of the most incredible and unique experiences that Latin America has to offer.

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About the Author

Gary Sargent is the Managing Director of the tour companies Escaped to Peru and Escaped to Latin America and has lived in South America for over 10 years. Gary is passionate about life here, the people, customs and places. Visit his website to learn more information about Guatemala or to look at tours in Guatemala


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