Guatemalan Barbie Dolls & Creativity

Today we want to share with you an exciting, creative, and new work of art that Indigenous Maya have come up with.

Guatemalan Barbie Dolls! Rather, Barbies or dolls dressed in traditional Guatemalan clothing!

I first saw a photo of some barbies and read a blog about these beauties a few months back but provided no information on who created them and where one can be purchased. Being that I lived in Antigua, the top tourist destination of Guatemala with TONS of arts/crafts/souvenirs at hand, I never saw one Barbie in traditional clothes.

In fact, since I made frequent trips to Guatemala as a child (since my dad is from there and I still have family here) and since my dad travels to Guatemala nearly every month bringing back 'artesanias' (handicrafts) for us as gifts, over the years not much has changed. I remember in the 4th grade my dad would bring back bunches of Guatemalan friendship bracelets like the ones below, and we would give some away to our friends and in fact SELL them to our peers. My brother and I started a trend in Elementary school with these things.

But like I said, not much has changed. The same exact bracelets, bags, pens, keychains, sandals, etc. that I saw 20 years ago are still being sold to tourists. Not that there's anything wrong with that, however, Guatemalans are falling behind the time and technology. But there's hope! Guatemalans are some of the most TALENTED and CREATIVE individuals I have ever known- and I've traveled to many parts of the world. They are extremely resourceful, even making trash into treasure. I guess when you're dirt poor your imagination and desperation to survive kicks into high gear. Thankfully, even what they produce from trash, wood, or wheat- comes out amazing. Take for example this young man and a tree stump. Look at what he created, so elaborately!

Then there's my friend, Emilio Tah, who takes ordinary things and turns them into fashion:

Fortunately, many artisans are starting to design modern things like:

Sneakers with traditional material

Heels

iPad Covers

Flats

Phone Cases that are hand painted

Wedges

Barbie Dolls in Traditional Dress

The Barbies in particular I'd like to feature, because the ones we have come directly from a women's association that also make up a folkloric group. As a folkloric dance group, they would wear beautiful, traditional outfits and they decided to put those same outfits onto dolls and sell them. It has been a HIT! Please meet the individuals who created the Guatemalan Barbie Dolls:

BY THE WAY! If you're in Southern California between August 30-2 September, I'd like to invite you to the Los Angeles County Fair BECAUSE, the OPENING weekend we will be showcasing the Latin American Culture with many artisans who make this stuff, from all over Latin America. They will be located at: PLAZA DE LAS AMERICAS inside the fair. You can buy their products without having to travel to Guatemala! The dates of the Latin American Festival is August 30-2 September (opening weekend). Don't miss live shows filled with exciting folkloric dancing and Latin food!

Shoes: Corazón Maya

These items and more can be purchased at our online Etsty store and you can get 10% off on any items purchased when you use the following coupon code for the month of July: DOLLFACE

Good Food, Great Prices

                                          

Today's post is mainly geared for people already IN Antigua, Guatemala- expats primarily but also for those tourists who want some good, cheap, Guatemalan food.

I have discovered 3 cheap Guatemalan restaurants (they all deliver!) in Antigua that are SOOO yummy that you MUST try!

"A Lo Chapin"
 6ta. calle poniente #26A, 03001-Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepequez
7832-9143 &  4739-4678

A Lo Chapin is a Guatemalan restaurant with a daily menu that changes that comes with a house drink which is usually some Hibiscus Iced Tea (Rosa de Jamaica), Tamarind juice, & Lemonade mixed with a juice of a fruit known as CHAN which tastes similar to Guava but has black seeds. Here's a picture that may scare you or intrigue you.

The food is pretty good & also pretty cheap! I'm talking about $3-4 a plate with drink CHEAP! They post their menus daily on their Facebook page. All I know is that I've had the BEST pollo horneado there hands down! Oh and the best Rosa de Jamaica drink & the yummiest horchata. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they make all their natural drinks themselves & all their ingredients are freshly bought from the local mercado. Here are a few photos:

"Restaurante y Taqueria El Faro"
2nd Avenida Sur #2
(one block from the La Union Tank)
7832-4324
Hours: 9am- 9:30am

There are a lot of Mexican roots in Guatemala. This restaurant is a Mexican hole in the wall restaurant and their food is also VERY good and VERY cheap! They too have a menu for the day's special. Otherwise, their tacos are great & burritos are SUPER! Big & tasty. My husband loved the Nachos MORE than Monoloco's b/c he said these nachos have more meat rather than a bunch of gunk that Monoloco has. When my husband & I first ate here we got the 2 meals below and 3 'gaseosas' (sodas) and the total was 69Q ($8!!!). I've tried looking for info on these guys online to order from them or just get any info but there's NONE! So that's why I'm writing about them.

Delivery: They deliver with a minimum of 50Q (expats take note).

Super Burrito 25Q ($3)

Nachos

"Cafeteria La Concepcion"
4a Calle Oriente 61 "B" Antigua, Guatemala
(At the exit of Antigua, last building on the right- white wall)
4361-8810
Monday-Friday only

This place is special to me b/c I fell in LOVE with their steak sandwich. It not only came with a side of french fries, but a salad piled with avocados. It was DELICIOUS! Husband approved. The 'pan' (they call sandwiches "panes" here) is really big too. They ALSO have daily lunch specials for 35Q ($4). They do breakfast, lunch, & dinner. Last Saturday I wanted to take my husband to try the food b/c he loved my cold leftovers (the steak sandwich) so I wanted him to try the food freshly made. BUT....it was closed!!!!! They are only opened Mondays-Fridays. I've recommended this restaurant to others and each one of them was very impressed with the food- even a friend of mine who was spoiled with great cooking by her ex-husband was skeptical until she tried it. So, TRY IT! It's on the way OUT of Antigua. So from Central Park face the Cathedral & Citibank (4th Calle Oriente). Walk up WITH the flow of traffic. Keep walking. You'll see a large fountain & a gas station. Keep going- go with the flow of traffic. You'll pass "Kristahl" laundromat, past Cafe Condesa Express- go all the way to the end of the street. Make sure you end on the right hand side. There, the VERY LAST BUILDING on that street on the right hand side, is Cafeteria La Concepcion.

Steak Sandwhich (pan de lomito)

Guatemala Safety 101

If you are considering a trip to Guatemala and check the U. S. State Department's travel warnings, it reads like the plot of an action film. However, how safe is it really in Guatemala?

Guatemala is a developing nation that has a lot of development, particularly in Guatemala City. Poverty is a sad reality that drives most petty crimes, but there are organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, that work in rural villages throughout the country to provide healthcare, education, & help meet all other needs. But when you arrive you will see that although many Guatemalans have little, they maximize very creatively the resources they do have. So while you may see beggars, you will mostly see individuals of all ages working by trying to sell fruit, produce, food, gum,  handicrafts, as well as see a few play an instrument and shine shoes.

Little Ana, 5 yrs old, selling bracelets to us

There are specific locations throughout Guatemala that we call a "bubble" that does not see the type of crime found commonly in major cities throughout the world. Antigua is one of these bubbles. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and because of this, the municipality of Antigua strives to keep the town in tact, safe, and since it attracts tourists from all over the world it generates more income for the locals who live there and in surrounding villages. Additionally, Guatemala was the first country in Central America to institute the Tourism Police. These officers work to serve the tourist with safety & information.

Below are a few common-sense tips for safety while traveling through Guatemala:

- Don't bring valuables unless you have to (i.e., expensive cameras, watches, jewelry, laptops, etc). It's ok if you bring your smart phones, tablets, & mp3 players because they are small and after all- most of us still want to have internet access to upload photos or keep in touch with family back home.

- If in the middle of large crowds for a festival (like Semana Santa), put nothing in your pockets & don't carry any bags. Just leave them in your room.

- Don't hike alone even if you're with a group of tourists. Hire a local guide or better yet, go through a travel agency that provides armed security and a local guide.

- Don't walk around in the wee hours of the night.

- Don't carry a lot of cash. Most establishments in Antigua take major credit/debit cards. I recommend you get a pre-paid Visa card and notify your bank that you will be traveling. Traveler's Cheques are no longer accepted unless you're using that check to make a deposit in a local bank.

- When arriving at the airport, there are official taxis. Make sure the cab you get in has an official taxi sign with an identification number on the sides. But most hotels, hostels, and Bed & Breakfasts can arrange airport pick-up for $35. So arrange airport pickup with your accommodations.

- Young women who travel alone & struggle with the local language, are soft targets. So if you're a woman, don't travel alone.

- Exchange money at banks. You will need 2 forms of identification. You can always check the current exchange rate HERE . Please note that only USD & EUROs are the only currency that Guatemalan banks will exchange. Also, if your bills are torn or wrinkled- they will NOT be accepted. 

- Shuttle buses (known as "colectivo"), first-class tour buses, & private drivers are the safest ways to get around Guatemala. However, it is also safe & encouraged to rent a scooter and visit the surrounding towns in Sacatepequez (the Department of which Antigua is a part of). But always travel during daylight.

- Carry a copy of your passport with entry stamp. Leave the original in your room.

Now that we've taken the precautions, let us help you plan your trip to Guatemala! This is a beautiful country with warm, caring, people and breathtaking beauty. Incidents are few & far between. We at Lost City Adventures make sure that you are taken care of. 

Email us now!

Saving the Student & Teacher

In Guatemala, $150 is the lowest price you will see for taking 1 week of Spanish classes. Rates vary if you decide to stay with a host family. The highest we've seen for a week is $310. The teachers themselves are only paid 15Q an hour with a maximum work of 4 hours a day. That is $1.92 an hour.

When the season is low and schools are not busy, the licensed teachers are out of jobs.

Lost City Adventures has come up with a plan saving YOU, the student, several dollars & helping the local teachers work. 

Our Spanish School program is unique because the teacher comes to us (you, if you're staying with us) and the best part- you pay the teacher directly. At 40Q an hour ($5.11), you get the same teachers who are contracted by the Spanish schools but you pay less and they get paid what they are worth. For 20hours a week the cost is $102. 

We are currently in the process of creating a special Spanish School Package that includes Spanish lessons, accommodations, trips, & meals.

So if you're looking for Spanish lessons, contact us. Whether you stay with us or not, we can send you a private teacher who works around your schedule at 40Q an hour. The local teachers need the work.

Spanish Teachers

Info@LostCityAdventures.com

Inside The Ipala Volcano

Central America is filled with a variety of volcanoes scattered across the lands, bringing rich nutrients to each country as well as entices the physically active to hike them. In Guatemala, there is a unique volcano where families spend their weekend picnicking- inside the crater.

Volcán Ipala is a stratovolcano located in Eastern Guatemala in the municipality of Ipala, Chiquimula, near the town of Agua Blanca, in the department of Jutiapa. It has a 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) wide summit crater which contains a crater lake (Lake Ipala), whose surface lies about 150 m (500 ft) below the crater rim.

Ipala Volcano has a beautiful lagoon in its crater whose waters are crystal clear and deep blue, measuring approximately 600 meters in diameter. Many families take boat rides on the lagoon & kids swim in the designated beach area. There is also a look-out point above the crater to see its entirety as well as the scenery of Agua Blanca & Chiquimula.

The volcano has the shape of a large cone. It is sparsely vegetated except in its summit and around the lake. There is a closed forest which consists of cypress trees, oaks and parasitic plants. 

There is a small cave near the water called "La Cueva de Leona," which means 'The Lioness Cave' because a Lioness was found in it some years ago. You have to climb a wooden ladder to get a peek into the small cave. 

Families enjoy their weekends inside the Ipala Volcano relaxing. There are picnic areas, a souvenir shop, and even a soccer field where families can play together. Avid hikers who wish to spend more than a day will be glad to know there are bungalows and camping areas. You can hike up to the lake along a scenic trail (about two hours) but if you’ve got a high-clearance vehicle you can drive to Ipala Lake as well. Make sure it's a 4x4 because you literally drive over rocks & dirt, no cement. The road up from the town of Agua Blanca is steep, rutted and rocky. Parking is usually 20Q. There is an entrance fee into the park which is usually 50Q. 

Guatemala's Traditions

A Procession during Semana Santa in Antigua

Guatemala is one of the world's major cultural destinations, offering one of the most popular processional traditions which are original, authentic and unique in Latin America. From the pre-Hispanic indigenous cultural heritage and traditions followed by the colonial conquistadors to contemporary times,  all of these traditions are fused in this marvelous land full of contrasts.

The most traditional cultural events in Guatemala are:

- Semana Santa or Holy Week, is celebrated each year between March and April and is a religious tradition that was started in 1543, when the Spanish moved the Holy Sacrament of Old City to Santiago de Guatemala, which was the capital of Guatemala, which today is known as Antigua Guatemala. The biggest attraction of Easter are handmade carpets with beautiful designs made of seeds, dust, flowers and colorful processions with marching bands.

- The Palo Volador is held every December 21 in different parts of Guatemala. In Joyabaj, Quiche it is held on August 15. The flying pole dance is a pre-hispanic tradition that remained intact during colonization. The stick is made of a tree, in which is placed at the top of a structure designed to be rotatable. Two ropes are wound which two of the "flying" are attached and begin to rotate so until they descend to the ground. After each of the dancers is dressed in overalls and funny movements of a dance to marimba gourds.

-La Carrera de Caballos Todos Santos Cuchumatán is a traditional horse race at an annual fair in Cuchumatán, which begins October 23 and ends on November 3. They organize various cultural activities in this municipality and is visited by domestic and foreign tourists. 

- Los Barriletes de Santiago Sacatepéquez is a fun tradition, held every November 1 in Santiago and in Zacatepequez Sumpango. This is a festival that involves giant kites that soar to the sky with messages to ancestors, and thus commemorating the Day of the Dead. These giant and decorative kites are designed by locals with great care and artistry.

-La Qema del Diablo, or The Burning of the Devil, is an exciting tradition held every December 7th throughout the country. Market stalls begin selling papier–mâché devils a week before. The tradition of burning the devil began in colonial times. In anticipation of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the patron of Guatemala City, those who could afford it adorned the fronts of their houses with lanterns. Eventually, the poor who could not afford such lanterns began gathering their garbage and would burn all of the year's rubbish in front of their houses. Over time it was formalized and in addition to individual piles of garbage, communities started to burn The Devil to clear the way for Mary's feast.

The idea is to burn all of the bad from the previous year and to start anew from the ashes. In cities throughout the country The Devil is burned at the stroke of six. In Ciudad Vieja, the first capital of the country, a devil three stories tall is constructed and burned in the city square. 

http://youtu.be/ZBH4OqLSBw8

This is by no means an exhaustive list of Guatemala's traditions as there are so many throughout the country, but it does illustrate just how culturally rich and exciting Guatemala is. Every tradition is meaningful whether it is pre-hispanic, established by the Indigenous or a tradition that came from the Spanish Conquistadors. Either way, we are left with lots of excitement.

Season For Jocotes!

Jocotes

As you walk through the mercado after living here for some time, you start to notice that new fruits that are now in season are being sold and others you were used to are not. For example, I used to see red bananas called "Majunches" all over the place and then all of a sudden there are Papayas everywhere!

Red Banana (Majunche) and Yellow Banana

Now it's the season for Jocotes. This is a Latin American fruit and I remember in my youth, since I grew up in Southern California and made frequent trips to Mexico, we would bring back with us frozen Jocotes which became my favorite fruit in the entire world! So naturally, I got excited when I would go to Guatemala and eat some Jocotes. They are small and round that are red, green, or yellow in color. The redder they are, the juicier and sweeter it tastes. If you eat a green one, it will be drier leaving you with a cotton-mouth feeling which may not make a good first impression on you. So before you try one, make sure it's red or at least on the orange side. The flesh looks exactly like a mango and there's a big seed in the middle. In fact to me, they are a mix between tiny mangoes and plums. Because the fruit is so small, you don't get much flesh when eating it. So you end up eating a handful. If you eat red ones be careful, they're really juicy! In fact that's what inspired this entry. I was eating juicy red Jocotes that I bought in El Progresso, Jutiapa a few days ago where they were selling them in buckets full and decided a little education on this delicious fruit was necessary.

Jocotes of all different colors

A Jocote not eaten next to a half eaten Jocote

According to several different sources, including Wikipedia, the Jocote is related to the cashew fruit. Now, prior to me moving to Guatemala I was unaware that cashews, the nuts, were part of a fruit.

Cashew Fruit & Nuts

Spondias purpurea , the scientific name of the fruit, is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, that is native to tropical regions of the Americas. It is most commonly known as Jocote, which derives from the Nahuatl word xocotl, meaning "fruit." Other common names include Red Mombin, Purple Mombin, Hog Plum, Sineguela, and Siriguela. The fruits are often eaten ripe, with or without the skin. It is sometimes eaten unripe with salt and vinegar or lime juice. The single large seed, which takes up most of the fruit, is not eaten.

The health benefits of Jocotes are:

• Low in calories and saturated fats
• High in dietary fiber
• Good source of Vitamins A and C
• High in potassium, iron, and other essential minerals

Next time you are in Guatemala, make it a point to try some Jocotes if you see some, especially since the dry season (October - May) is the season for Jocotes. And now with all this typing about the fruit I think I'll go eat some more.