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.

Guatemala Street Food Helps Provide An Income For Poor Families

A beautiful tostada being sold in Antigua

One of the best ways to get to know Guatemala when walking around small towns, is by dining on Guatemala's street food. Though most street food vendors do not operate with a permit, it is traditionally known that just about anyone can set up a food stand right outside their small home or down a busy street, and sell home made food- from tortillas, tostadas, grilled chicken, steak, sausages, sandwiches, to atoles.

Unlike the states where you can walk into most restaurants and will be able to order a breakfast item for dinner, Guatemala's menus change 3 times a day to offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Now let me explain the 3 different types of dining that exist in Guatemala.

First, we have restaurants. Some are American such as IHop, McDonald's, Wendy's, Las Cebollines, etc, which consist of either fast food with an indoor restaurant to luxurious steak houses with excellent service. But these restaurants are only found in highly populated towns like Guatemala City, Antigua, Villa Nueva, San Lucas, Panajachel, Quetzaltenango, & Chimaltenango. Once you're out of those areas then your other options for dining are comedores and street food.

Comedor. A comedor is like a mom and pop diner where the owners actually own or rent a building with a kitchen, a counter to order food, and have tables and chairs for customers. As you drive you can see their signs above their doors saying, "Comedor" or a Fanta, Gallo (the beer), or Coke-a-cola signs will be displayed usually gesturing that there is a comedor at that location. When you stop in, usually there are no menus. The food they offer may be written on a wall somewhere or a board and in some places like Zacapa, you just order whatever it is they are making like pupusa also known as empanadas in Guatemala (a tortilla stuffed with melted cheese, beans, chicharron, or loroco).

Then you have street food, which consists of families standing outside their homes or on street corners grilling away.

Dobladas

Empanadas/Pupusas

On the left are Rellenitos, the middle Panes or sandwiches

For breakfast you can find Atoles to drink of several different flavors like manjar, arroz con leche (rice pudding except hot & liquidy), and corn. In Antigua one early morning, a lady had a huge trash bag filled with already cooked scrambled eggs. On the grill was some vegetables and big loafs of french bread that she used to make a delicious breakfast sandwich. Wish I had taken a photo of that!

Atole de Manjar, a morning beverage with cinnamon

Throughout the day you will notice that breakfast items are no longer sold on the streets. You start to see colorful stands selling sliced up fruit in bags or ladies standing under umbrellas selling tostadas with a guacamole or refried bean spread. All this food is very cheap and surprisingly fills you up quickly. As a tourist, one can walk through a mercado and try some new fruits.

Tourist couple trying out street food in Antigua's Mercado

Fruit stand in Guatemala City

Tourists being silly with some new exotic fruit they purchased to try

Drink some fresh coconut juice & then eat the flesh, she chops it up for you

One of my favorite things to do with my husband, is walk around the town of Ciudad Vieja, where we live, and grab some street food for dinner. Since my husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy, we learned that street vendors generally don't begin to grill meat until 7pm- or when it starts to get dark. One time we walked around Ciudad Vieja around 4pm asking each vendor and comedor if they had Carne Asada and they all told us that the time to find it is later on at night. The hot dog stands also known as Cheveres, taco stands (known as Gringas instead of tacos), & women grilling corn on the cob all come out earlier than 'cena' (dinner time).

Street Food at Lake Atitlan

Longonizas, Chorizos, Carne Asada, Chicken, & Tortillas all street food

This woman doesn't have walls in her 'comedor' but she serves a decent plate for street food

Street Food at Panajachel- at a Salvadorean Comedor

But the one thing that I really appreciate about Guatemalan street food, is the families. Young parents trying to make a living by selling what they know they can make. Some ladies only sell tortillas and that's it. Other families were able to earn enough to buy an actual cart.

I can understand someone hesitant to eat street food because there are no sanitary regulations, but that choice is yours. You can see them grilling and cooking. When I've ordered a 'licuado' (a fruit smoothie made of the fruit & milk or water), many vendors use purified water as you can see them take water from the big blue jugs. Others, just have soda to offer.

One night as my husband and I were walking around Ciudad Vieja, we stopped at a hot dog stand. While we waited for our food, out popped these two precious girls who didn't say a word to us but just kept staring at us.

They youngest one would get a little restless because since both their parents were busy working, they had to stay behind the small hot dog cart and behave. Their parents work daily on the same corner selling hot dogs & 'gaseosas' (sodas).

So when I buy street food I am mindful that with the few Quetzales I have, I make a decision to help poor families provide for their children such as the two girls above, who will end up working for their parents as soon as they are tall enough or able enough to help. So I encourage our readers to not be afraid of home made food being sold on the streets but do exercise discernment, because Guatemala street food  helps provide an income for poor families.

                      

Family Fun in Guatemala

IRTRA Xocomil Water Park 

Guatemala has so much more to offer for families than the typical tourist destinations! I was shocked at how many family friendly things there are to do in Guatemala while my step-children spent their summer in Guatemala. So parents, here it goes.

Auto Safari Chapin, located between Escuintla and Taxisco, is a drive through zoo which hosts native animals as well as exotic animals from all over the world. It began in 1975 when Roberto Berger and Ricardo Mata had the idea to create a wildlife reserve, with the intention of conserving and reproducing endangered Guatemala Fauna. Mr. Rafael Herrera donated the first animals to the reserve: 15 white-tailed deer. Auto Safari continued adding local and international species to its collection, many of them donations from different entities. The park hosts more than 96 different animal species and over 70 plant species. 

 

 

Auto Safari Chapin has several vans that can be used to fit large parties while driving through. This park is more than just a zoo, however. There's a children's petting zoo, a lagoon where you can take a boat ride around some small islands and watch monkeys putting on a show, a big swimming pool with a water slide to cool off, and a restaurant. The only negative thing I can say about Auto Safari Chapin is that there is only 1 restaurant in the park which means you end up waiting at least 2 hours for your food- and food is not allowed into the park (they check your bags). Other than that, it is a beautiful drive to get there & you can spend the whole day having a wonderful time with your kids. Auto Safari Chapin is open from 9:30am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday (closed on Mondays) and these are their fees.

IRTRA. There is so much to tell you about this amazing company and its 5 different amusement parks and glorious hotels. IRTRA is a Guatemalan institution dedicated to providing leisure and recreation service with excellence. The IRTRA was created by Decree 1528 of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala in 1962. It aims to provide an excellent service to the community, especially for private company employees and their families, as well as to contribute to domestic and foreign tourism. Until the late 1950s in Guatemala, there were no suitable places for specialized and organized recreation for workers and their families. In 1960, the idea among some businessmen from Guatemala to create an institution to fill the gap in the recreation dedicated especially to employees of private companies giving them the opportunity to positively use their time off work to share with their family, came to life.  Entrepreneurs presented the proposal to the central government to form a committee which would study, present and promote a law that would give life to an institution that would provide healthy recreation to workers in suitable places. 

An IRTRA member has the right, with their ID membership card known as the "Carnet" or "Carne," to a free entrance into the various parks with up to five family members. Those who are not members and foreign tourists can also use the facilities of IRTRA by paying the non-affiliate admission fee. The non-affiliate admission fee is quite reasonable, as is the food inside the parks. It is unlike Disneyland or Six Flags where you expect to pay double for a soda and a churro. They also keep the parks extremely clean. IRTRA is very affordable. If you happen to have a friend or family member who is an affiliate, you're in luck. Some IRTRA parks lets them bring visitors in for free. Now to introduce to you the 5 different parks.

Xetulul-pronounced [sheh-tool-lool]



 is an amusement park located in Retalhuleu and is the third largest park in Latin America. Here you will find magic and fun for the whole family. You will discover the wide range of activities you can do, with breathtaking attractions, exciting electromechanical games for all ages, spectacular shows, the fantastic magic show in The Great Theatre of France, extraordinary gift shops, and a variety of restaurants to suit all tastes in the different buildings that provide architectural scenery showing the origin and history of Guatemala and European countries that have influenced the Guatemalan culture. Xetulul is capable of receiving 12,000 visitors simultaneously and consists of 7 plazas. Open 10am-4pm on Fridays, 10am-6pm Saturdays and Sundays.  Friday-Sunday only. For non-affiliate fee information go here.

Xocomil [shocoh-meel] is Guatemala's famous waterpark located right next to Xetulul, also located in Retalhuleu. It is one of my favorite places to go. Xocomil waterpark is an amazing water-playground amidst lush vegetation and an environment that showcases impressive Mayan architecture yet also includes the latest in equipment, facilities and amenities in a water park that is world class. In 1998 the World Waterpark Association (WWA) granted Xocomil the recognition as the world's best water park in the Innovation category. Xocomil has received over 4 million visitors, thanks to its spectacular and exciting attractions. It has the capacity to serve 8,500 attendees simultaneously. IRTRA offers joint admission for those who want to visit Xetulul & Xocomil in one day. They are open 9am-5pm, Thursday-Sunday only. For non-affiliate fee information go  here. Xetulul,  Xocomil,  and the IRTRA Hostels are on 180.5 km CITO-180 road that leads to the Quetzaltenango department of Guatemala's southern coast.



IRTRA Hostels. Since Xocomil & Xetulul are about 3 hours from Guatemala City, IRTRA has created a home away from home for both affiliates and non-affiliates called Hostales de IRTRA, so that families can have a weekend getaway enjoying not only the parks, but the amenities the hostels have such as several pools, mini-golf, a jacuzzi, several restaurants, bars,  an emergency clinic, laundromat,  office amenities such as faxing and photocopying, international phone calling, transportation by air or bus for groups of 30 or more,  lost and found, plenty of parking, and a choice of different room types on grounds. This is a fantastic luxury resort located in San Martín Zapotitlán, Retalhuleu 180 kilometers from Guatemala City on the road to Quetzaltenango Retalhuleu by the South Coast. It has 669 rooms, making it the largest hotel in Guatemala and one of the largest and most beautiful in Central America. You can choose from four different concepts:

Hostal San Martin / Colonial style
Hostal Santa Cruz / Mediterranean style
Hostal La Rancheria / Bungalow style
 Hostal Palajunoj / Forest style

They have facilities and high quality service, offering different rates to suit your taste, budget and lifestyle. It is a gorgeous community. I say 'community' because you must pass through gated security similar to entering a gated community. Plenty of grass, trees, walkways, and peacocks everywhere! They have a shuttle service that takes guests from the hotels to the parks and back. A map of the grounds is needed to get around. The hotels are reasonably priced as well. If you are an affiliate, they are even better! For reservations you can contact Hostels Offices +502- 7722-9100.

Mundo Petapa. A surprisingly great theme park located in Guatemala City. This park was inaugurated on March 26, 1976, is located on Avenida Petapa and 42 Street in Zone 12. The capacity of the park is 12,000 visitors. The park was designed to give recreation to private sector workers without leaving the city. Mundo Petapa not only has rides for all ages, but there is also a petting zoo, picnic grounds, restaurants, the coolest dinosaur playground I've ever seen, and swimming pools. Parents can choose to buy a 'passport' booklet which buys 12 rides and the passport can be shared among the family or buy a wristband per person that gives an unlimited number of rides. Open Thursday-Sunday, 9am-5pm. For non-affiliate fee information go here.



Agua Caliente (in Spanish it means 'Hot Water'). IRTRA Agua Caliente is the second park that was opened.  Its doors opened on May 16, 1967 and as a capacity of 3,000 visitors. It was named Agua Caliente due to it being a natural site of sulfur baths, desirable for pleasure and health. You will love this park because you can take enjoy the baths (natural jacuzzi) and then have an outstanding picnic outdoors, since it has a reserve of vegetation intended for recreation and enjoyment for visitors looking for wholesome family entertainment. There are restaurants, picnic areas, sulfur pools,  regular swimming pools, sports fields, electromechanical rides, kiddie rides, souvenir store, ample parking, a first aid clinic, and recreation games for the whole family. Open Thursday-Sunday, 8:30am-4:30pm. For non-affiliate admission fee and ride fee click here.


IRTRA Amatitlan is located at Lake Amatitlan. It was the first park established by IRTRA being inaugurated on September 3, 1963. It has a capacity for 2,500 visitors. This park does not have rides although there is a boat ride on the lake. It has 2 swimming pools, restaurants, playgrounds, lots of BBQ pits and picnic tables, and a recreational salon with games. It is a place to go with family and have a picnic and go for a nice swim. It is very inexpensive for non-affiliates. The great thing about the location of this park, is that it is next to the Santa Teresita spa & thermal water pools where you can have some luxury in a bath of rose petals or natural hot springs. IRTRA Amatitlan is also near the famous Pacaya Volcano where many tourists spend an adventurous day hiking this grand volcano.




Auto Safari Chapin & IRTRA parks are just a few of the many activities that bring family fun in Guatemala while you're on vacation. These businesses are specifically designed to bring a full day of adventure to your family with great quality, great service, & professionalism. As an American I was impressed at the high quality of service, the modern equipement used, how inexpensive the cost of food is, & the cleanliness of each park. So when you decide to visit Guatemala with your family, throw in a trip to IRTRA or Auto Safari Chapin. These parks are off-the-beaten-path and travel agencies don't include them in packages.

Our Hotel Bed & Breakfast

We are up and running- and already booked! Lost City Adventures provides a hotel bed & breakfast accommodation just minutes from the bustling streets of Antigua and with a view of two breathtaking volcanoes. Free pick up/drop off to the airport, free Wi-fi, free laundry, free breakfast, special maid service upon request, 2 apartment suites, & transportation to Antigua. We are located in the Villas of San Santiago in Ciudad Vieja.

ANTIGUA "Agua" Apartment Suite

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Our First Week in Guatemala

Semuc Champey

Bienvenidos a Guatemala! 

Shawn & I have spent our first week here in Guatemala and have been EXTREMELY BUSY, but not without it's share of fun.

We finally went to Semuc Champey ourselves to see the photos, such as the one above, in person. While we were browsing INGUAT 's website (Guatemala's national board of toursim) all the way from Kuwait, we saw just 1 photo of Semuc Champey. I have never heard of this place nor EVER seen pictures of this amazing jungle jewel- and I've been to Guatemala many times. So we did our research and the 1st stop just HAD to be Semuc Champey. But first, we stayed in the outskirts of Coban with my dad's friend at his AMAZING property. This dude was working for the US Postal Service in California, retired, and came back home to Guatemala where he lives in the mountains and his entire....I forget how many acres but it's a LOT....is very well landscaped. He has natural aqueducts formed right from the mountain itself as well as lush gardens that overflow with blooming orchids. He has a river at the entrance of his place! 

Anyway- the drive to Semuc from Coban was pretty far. Once we were making our way into Lanquin, a city just before Semuc Champey, the road pavement was no more. The road got narrow. It was a dirt road at first- then some rocks- then some semi-paved tracks over dirt. We were driving on mountain edges with a prayer in our hearts to God hoping we don't go over the edge. Steep hills & curves, trucks heading toward you and you've got to figure out just where on that tiny road, will you be pulling over. Or will it be HIM pulling over to the side? I mean there were shuttle vans that drove way too fast for those roads carrying tourists- in the RAIN! But somehow they still managed LOL. And thank the good the Lord we managed too!

We went into the Lanquin Caves & saw the gorgeous Lanquin River. Then went to Semuc Champey which was only about 15 mins away, and walked along the Cahabon River, which then opens up to the amazing pools of Semuc Champey. The water was so enticing I jumped in with my clothes on! I mean- after hiking inside those hot & humid caves, holding on to bat dung-covered rocks so you don't slip into a hole that will take you down into the river in pitch black because of how slippery it is- you come out sweaty & gross. So a jump in the pools is exactly what was needed!

Lanquin River

Lanquin Caves (Grutas)

Rio Cahabon

It was quite an adventure just driving there, being there, and most certainly the drive back too!

There's FAR more I can write about where else we went. Like we went to Chiquimula & relaxed in volcano water spas called Aguas Thermales. Water from the local volcano is carried into these pools and the water is HOT (oh and it's sulfur too). It was quite relaxing and surprisingly, NOT a tourist destination. The locals created something very nice for themselves to enjoy.

Well we have been everywhere! Coban, Lanquin, Semuc Champey, Chiquimula where we met an American couple who are missionaries here, Totonicapan, Quetzaltenango, Zacapa, Jutiapa, Guatemala City, Antigua (we have already begun making friends in the expat community)- we went from East to West & let me tell you....Guatemala is an amazing country. From jungle to desert, tropical to ancient. No region is alike. 

As for our Bed & Breakfast hotel, we already have clients! We are located in Ciudad Vieja, just minutes away from the bustling streets of Antigua. I really like how quite & peaceful our location is. The property we have is pretty big and our master bedroom is huge! We are actually going to be fully booked for Semana Santa (Holy Week) so we are thankful to God that He is providing us with income already. Not to mention all the people my dad introduced us to- members of Congress, the Director of INGUAT, a School of Tourism owner who is sending his students to work for us as interns for on the job training hours (which means we don't have to pay them). There are just SO many things falling into place for us....I mean, I became friends with one of the wealthiest indigenous men in Guatemala who came over and prayed over our home/business/marriage (turns out he's also a pastor). 

Things are going well! I just have to learn to drive stick shift. We got a vehicle too! But the stress is about to begin b/c, since we are already fully booked for Easter, we need to buy more beds! 

Well so far, so GOD! I say God instead of 'good' because God IS good and it is HE who has gone before us in this business venture, in this new country, in our new marriage. 

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