Revue Magazine

Ganadores del concurso fotográfico junio 2012 de REVUE

2012-05-16T15:24:33-07:00

Ganadores por decisión de los jueces del equipo editorial / Winners by editorial decision

Posición/Position: 1er lugar / 1st place Premio: Cena para dos en el restaurante La Peña de Sol Latino / Dinner for two at La Peña de Sol Tema/theme: Padre / Father Título/title: Piggy Back Lugar/place: Finca Eureka Autor/author: José Chavarria Web: www.jchphotography.net

Posición/Position: 2do lugar / 2nd place Premio: Q300 Tema/theme: Padre / Father Título/title: Mi querido viejo / My dear old man Lugar/place: Ciudad de Guatemala Autor/author: Telma Cruz

Posición/Position: Mención honorífica / Honorable mention Tema/theme: Padre / Father Título/title: Sebastian Lugar/place: Ciudad de Guatemala Autor/author: Tono Valdés Web: www.tonovaldes.com

Ganadores por voto popular en Facebook / Winners by popular votes in Face

Posición/Position: 1er lugar / 1st place Premio: 6 botellas de vino La Chamiza / 6 bottles of wine La Chamiza Tema/theme: Padre / Father Título/title: Mirada y pensamientos / Look and thoughts Lugar/place: Ciudad de Guatemala Autor/author: Marco Ortiz Web: www.estudioideart.com

Posición/Position: 2do lugar / 2nd place Premio: Q300 Tema/theme: Padre / Father Título/title: Primogénito / First-born Lugar/place: Retalhuleu Autor/author: Alberto Bolaños Web: http://alberto-fotografiaguatemala.blogspot.com/

Posición/Position: Mención honorífica / Honorable mention Tema/theme: Padre / Father Título/title: Un legado de fe / A legacy of faith Lugar/place: Aldea San Cristóbal el Bajo, Sacatepéquez Autor/author: Gary Velásquez Palacios

Todas las fotografías participantes / All the photos participating

Agradecemos a todos lo que participaron con una fotografía en nuestro concurso fotográfico. We thank all the people participating in our photo contest.

Sunsetting in Petén, Guatemala

2012-05-16T14:00:20-07:00

Atardecer petenéro by Alberto Bolaños

To see other photos of Alberto Bolaños, visit the Revue website in a regular basis or go to Alberto’s other sites: Flickr and Blogspot.

Museo Popol Vuh

2012-05-16T10:11:42-07:00

May is the “Month of the Museums” and a great time to visit Guatemala’s historical treasures.

Named after the sacred Mayan text that weaves together myths and historical narratives, el Museo Popol Vuh offers a unique insight into the world of the ancient Maya through an exhibition of ancient artifacts from each of Guatemala’s major periods of pre-colonial development.

Situated within the grounds of Francisco Marroquín University in Guatemala City, el Museo Popol Vuh is one of Guatemala’s most modern-looking museums and boasts one of the country’s most impressive collections.

It all began in 1977 when Jorge and Ella Castillo donated the legacy of their collections to the sons and daughters of Guatemala. From domestic tools to funerary urns and jewelery to religious sculptures, these relics can be used to piece together the lifestyles of Maya men and women: the clothing they wore, the activities they enjoyed and the trade routes they took.

Many of the items are in surprisingly good condition, having been discovered in archaeological deposits below the surface of Lake Atitlán and Lake Amatitlán. It is thought that many of the objects were deposited in the lakes during religious rituals and were subsequently preserved in the water for thousands of years.

Popol Vuh’s pre-Columbian and colonial art is exhibited in chronological order behind glass cabinets and takes you on a journey from Mesoamerican hunting tools to post-colonial Catholic statues.

Some of the most impressive objects include a reproduction of the ancient Mayan text, the Dresden Code, and a giant cracked altar with a detailed narrative of King Aj Wosal Chan K’ihnich, who ruled the city of Naranjo from 546AD-615.

Perfect for anyone with a thirst for all things Mayan, the museum is located within walking distance of Museo Ixchel—allowing you to visit both in an afternoon. But while the pieces are indeed impressive, the museum is unlikely to sustain the interests of small children.

Admission is Q35, with an additional charge for flash photography. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

photos by Johannes Blijdenstein

How can I tell if my dog food concentrate is of good quality? The labels are confusing.

2012-05-15T12:40:57-07:00

High-quality dry foods should have a whole-meat source as one of the first two ingredients (for example, chicken or chicken meal). If a list of ingredients begins with whole chicken, followed by three or more grains and no other meat proteins, it’s likely that the food contains way more grain than meat. There is no way to know for sure, however, since the makers are not required to specify the amounts or percentages of each ingredient. Ideally, whole, unprocessed grains and vegetables will be used since their nutrients have a better chance of surviving the food-making process.

High-quality food should have the minimum of food fragments. Fragments are lower-cost byproducts of another food manufacturing process, such as Brewer’s rice, which is a waste product of the alcohol industry. If the list of ingredients begins with lamb, rice flour, rice bran, Brewer’s rice, the product is mostly rice even though lamb heads the list (whole meat has water weight and the ingredients must by law be listed by weight).
High-quality foods should not contain generic fats or proteins. “Animal fat,” for example, can be just about anything, including recycled grease from restaurants. It would be preferable to see “beef fat” or “chicken fat.”

The food should not contain artificial preservatives, such as BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin, nor artificial colors.
Your pet really doesn’t care what color his food is, and a lifetime of exposure to chemical dyes is not necessary. Sweeteners are not necessary (but dogs do like them). They are usually used to enhance the taste of low-quality food.

Alternative Energy: the New Normal

2012-05-15T10:11:30-07:00

Alternative energy such as solar panels and windmills are no longer cutting edge.

written by Sri Ram Kaa & Kira Raa

Industrialized countries enjoy a wide variety of technology and conveniences. From washing machines to microwaves, we have grown dependent upon our appliances. We depend upon petroleum-based transportation and consume tons of plastics each year.

Entire infrastructures, especially food production and delivery industries, are based upon petroleum products. A large portion of household electricity depends upon petroleum. Rising prices for food and transportation are a sign of the challenge that await developed societies as we deplete global fuel reserves. Like it or not, the future is demanding that we use alternative energy.

Guatemala offers its residents many hidden benefits. The climate offers the gift of releasing the need for heat or air conditioning, and the weather supports vibrant agriculture. Guatemala offers a natural congeniality; it is easier to connect with nature here as the windows are always open! It is the ideal environment to live buoyantly without dependence upon out-paced infrastructures.

When we moved here we knew it was time to take the plunge and live off grid. We found a true jewel in a tranquil area of Lake Atitlán and developed it with the goal of disturbing nothing. The property is remote and was without any ties to the grid; we had to go off grid completely. It was an easy decision. We were starting fresh and evaluated our choices from both a spiritual lifestyle and a business perspective.

Once a solar system is installed, a lifestyle choice has been made. Your investment means that you are free from monthly charges, power spikes and unexpected power outages. Living off grid has other amazing advantages including tranquility, independence and a greater sense of security.

There are many subtle benefits from this decision. Sustainability demands self-responsibility. By un-plugging from unconscious electrical use, one gains a respect from the electrical consumption required to sustain our modern life.

For example, building a solar system requires that one make a list of every electrical device you use in your home. From light bulbs to hair dryers, refrigerator to computers, you must identify the amount of power required for every electrical device you use. This use analysis helps you decide how many solar panels are needed.

By taking inventory of your power consumption, you stand face to face with the cost of your life and the values and choices that are significant to you. It demands that you become responsible for every purchase you make.

With a review of the electrical devices you use and an estimate of how many hours per week you use them, your needs are determined. From this review one can decide the number of solar panels, batteries and other devices needed to power your life. We found that the review helped us identify unneeded appliances. We no longer own a microwave or a TV. The internet provides enough information and distraction for anyone.

Living with the power of the sun we gave up nothing. We have all the technologies we enjoy, ample lighting, kitchen appliances, an elegant full-service spa and even a Jacuzzi!

Alternative energy such as solar panels and windmills are no longer cutting edge. The true cutting edge includes perpetual motion and zero-point energy devices, which will appear on the scene as society changes. We look forward to integrating them here in Guatemala.

Solar power depends upon sunlight, and Guatemala has plenty of sunny days. Even in the rainy season, it is seldom cloudy more than half a day. Prices for panels have been dropping every year, and the system we created in 2009 can be re-created today for around a third less…and we are powering five casitas, a community center and a spa! Your one-time investment prepays for many years of electrical use and eliminates all uncertainty for your future.

The impact of decades-long production and consumption can be seen throughout modern societies. The clock is ticking and it is time for a new normal. Are you ready to unplug from unconscious consumption? Perhaps it is time to get acquainted with alternative energy and while you are here in Guatemala drop by Lake Atitlán and say hello, we’d love to show you how comfortable off-grid living and vacationing can be.

Authors contact: www.LakeAtitlanSpa.com ~ email: office@tosaspa.com

Lap at the Lake

2012-05-14T12:57:16-07:00

Lakeside run is Guatemala’s first non-profit marathon

Marathons are not new to Guatemala, and especially not to Panajachel, where the nation’s first foot race originated in 1958 as an eight-kilometer uphill slog. Enthusiasm was such that runners too poor to own shoes ran barefoot. A statue in Panajachel commemorates this early race, which soon became a footrace from Pana to Guatemala City.

Panajachel hosts another running “first” in late May. The Atitlán Marathon is not Guatemala’s first true marathon—today there are four others—but it is the first that is wholly non-profit. All proceeds will support the one cause uniting every sector in the Atitlán Basin: the conservation of Lake Atitlán.
You cannot find a run anywhere with a more spectacular venue.

The event includes both a full marathon (42 kilometers) and a half-marathon. Other scheduled activities are a kids run, a “fun run” for adults, a bike race, a cayuco (native canoe) race, coffee tours, weaving and arte naif painting exhibitions, photo hikes around the lake rim and a concert blending contemporary Latin jazz and pre-Columbian music.

The Atitlán Basin’s resident attractions include Guatemala’s finest botanical garden (at Hotel Atitlán), a soy foods factory and Central America’s only marine archaeology museum (at Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo). And Atitlán Basin is home to great boating, paragliding, sport fishing, nightlife and international cuisine.

Altitude enhances the challenge, the half-marathon stradles the lakeshore, which is a mile high. But the full marathon ascends another 2,000 feet; the exact profile and route can be seen at the event website. But volunteers will be liberally stationed to provide water, electrolyte replenishment and first aid—and applause.

Special certificates will be awarded to “ultra-runners,” participants completing both the full and half marathon over a two-day period. The marathon committee has also obtained discounts and preferential treatment from airlines for international registrants.

Runners from around the world are already signing up, but the organizers are also seeking local runners and volunteers.

The Atitlán Marathon and its associated events are scheduled from Friday, May 25, to Friday, June 1. Information is available at 7762-2326 and at www.atitlanmarathon.com, which has details about registration, the program of events, sponsorships and maps and profiles of the routes.

Sunrise in Sololá

2012-05-14T12:06:51-07:00

Amanecer de Sololá by Alberto Bolaños

To see other photos of Alberto Bolaños, visit the Revue website in a regular basis or go to Alberto’s other sites: Flickr and Blogspot.

Orthopedic Care in Guatemala

2012-05-11T10:11:15-07:00

With no conscious effort at all, our bones and joints and muscles engage as one miraculous mechanical unit. They propel us forward, as intended, with perfectly syncopated balance and strength. That is, until the pain starts.

Sometimes it’s a dull ache in the hips or a “slippery,” unstable feeling in the knees that gives you concern. Ibuprophen and other anti-inflammatories can work wonders to reduce discomfort. However, when the pain keeps you up at night, and it’s difficult to rise from sitting, it is time to see the doctor.

ABOUT HIPS
X-rays may show loss of the cartilage in the hip socket and a “bone-on-bone” appearance. Bone spurs and bone cysts are commonly seen on detailed diagnostic scans like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans. The goal of hip replacement surgery is to relieve pain and increase the mobility and function of a damaged hip joint, and is usually considered only when other therapies, such as physical therapy and pain medications, have failed.

Minimally invasive hip replacement allows the surgeon to perform the hip replacement through one or two small incisions. Patients usually have less pain compared with traditional hip replacement surgery, and rehabilitation is faster.

Total hip replacement, called total hip arthroplasty, is a common orthopedic procedure also; it involves removing the head of the thighbone (femur) and replacing the ball-and-socket mechanism of the hip with artificial implants.

Hip prostheses consist of a ball component, made of metal or ceramic, and a socket, which has an insert or liner made of plastic, ceramic or metal. The femoral component is generally cobalt chromium combined with titanium, which induces bone growth into the implant. The ceramic head of the acetabular cup is coated with bone growth inducing material. The implants used in hip replacement are biocompatible—meaning they’re designed to be accepted by your body—and they’re made to resist corrosion, degradation and wear.

In Guatemala, Dr. Guillermo Claverie is a leading figure in the field of orthopedics. He has over 25 years of experience and performs 500 total hip and knee replacements per year. Dr. Claverie has documented high success rates with private patients from all around the world, and with local Guatemalans who benefit from low-cost surgeries through his charitable foundation, Fundaorto. The Guatemalan-American Foundation for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery was founded by Dr. Claverie and his wife in 1999.

Arthroscopy is a common surgical procedure in which a joint (arthro-) is viewed (-scopy) using a small camera. During the procedure, your orthopedic surgeon inserts the arthroscope (a small camera instrument about the size of a pencil) into your knee joint. The arthroscope sends the image to a high-definition television monitor so that your surgeon can see the structures of the knee in great detail. Arthroscopy is a very effective tool that allows your surgeon to feel, repair or remove damaged tissue.

In the prestigious and modern Multimedica Hospital in Guatemala City, Dr. Álvaro Collia has specialized in traumatology, orthopedics and sports medicine for over 11 years. In his practice, he normally treats 300-350 cases of shoulder, hip and knee problems per month. Dr. Collia performs about 20 total hip and knee replacements every month with nearly 100% successful results and patient satisfaction. Since 2010, Dr. Collia has been researching both minimally invasive surgery methods and stem cell therapies in order to offer his patients the most cutting-edge medical treatments available.

The materials used in artificial joints vary, depending on the type of joint being replaced and how the joint needs to function.

Hip joints, for example, need to be sturdy and able to bear your body’s weight. Knee joints need to be flexible as well as strong. In general, the components must be durable, flexible and able to function in the body without causing an immune system reaction.

Replacements for hip and knee joints include portions made from metal, such as stainless steel, titanium or chrome and cobalt alloys. The patella or kneecap replacement is made of a strong, durable plastic called polyethylene. The zirconium implants are made of metal that has gone through a process that allows oxygen to absorb into the metal, creating a ceramic surface. These implants incorporate the benefits of a smooth surface with the benefits of a hard material, making it an ideal option for both hips and knees.

Artificial joints have improved greatly since they were first introduced around 40 years ago, and all the finest high-tech Biomet implants are imported to Guatemala direct from the manufacturer. There are new types of knee replacement parts that are highly flexible, allowing the knee to bend up to 155 degrees. The pieces are designed to fit perfectly together and to function as closely as possible to a natural joint. Special bone cement is used in some cases to hold static parts of the artificial joint in place.

While traditional implants last about 15 years, those made of these newer materials potentially can last up to 20 or 25 years. Guatemalan surgeons, with many years of global training, extensive practical experience and cutting-edge technical instrumentation, are striding gracefully and confidently into the future.

by Lori Shea medical tourism facilitator

Lori Shea is the founder of Guatemala Medical Travel www.GuatemalaMedicalTravel.com; you can contact her directly: lori@guatemalamedicaltravel.com

Sunrise at the Volcán de Agua Crater

2012-05-11T08:11:45-07:00

Una madrugada en el crater del Volcán de Agua by Alberto Bolaños

To see other photos of Alberto Bolaños, visit the Revue website in a regular basis or go to Alberto’s other sites: Flickr and Blogspot.

Volcán San Vicente in El Salvador

2012-05-09T08:11:59-07:00

Volcán San Vicente, El Salvador (Lena Johannessen)

Photograph: Puente de Piedra, Histórico. Ciudad de Quetzaltenango

2012-05-09T08:00:44-07:00

Puente de Piedra, Histórico. Ciudad de Quetzaltenango (Harry Díaz / www.flikr.com/harrydiaz)

Photograph: Lake Atitlán in green and blue

2012-05-08T07:28:37-07:00

Lake Atitlán in green and blue (Thor Janson/www.bushmanollie.com)

Raging Bulls and Aging Saints

2012-05-07T18:07:51-07:00

Time for the annual fair in Santa Cruz la Laguna

The feria in Santa Cruz la Laguna is one of a kind. No other Atitlán fair is more classical, more Guatemala-in-the-rough, and more “we’re-not-in-Kansas-anymore, Toto.”

There are two Santa “Cruces”: the upper, traditional town and the lower, lakeside district; they are a twain that meet at fair time like they never do otherwise. The lower town is heavy with resorts and expats; the upper town clings to custom and sheer mountainsides. There are no motor roads into them and, understandably, no cars. This shields Santa Cruz from the invasion of video games that vulgarize most ferias, but chingolingos — ring-toss and other classical amusements that predate electrification—abound in the upper town. Garish Ferris wheels, likewise too big to bring in, are not seen.

One palpable intrusion of modernity is the piñata-class plastic toys. The vendors of anything small enough to bring by boat are present in force, but their wares are a novelty here. These items, seen year-round elsewhere, appear only at feria time. Consequently, youngsters and their grandparents examine them with unjaded curiosity.

“One year, some guy floated in a ramshackle cotton-candy machine,” says Dave Ratcliffe, an unofficial town historian and proprietor of Iguana Perdida resort. “Being from the outside world, it was suddenly the rage. Years later, it’s still a big deal.”

The two districts are linked by a road that, by its length and steepness, separates upper from lower as much as it joins them.

It is no walk but a hike, and no ordinary hike at that. Lake Atitlán fills its vista, and those on the road at dusk can watch spectacular sunsets give way to the lighted clusters of Atitlán’s other and far-flung towns. Feria season lends a unique enhancement to this scenery, infecting everyone present with the unity seen among employees working together on a holiday. There is a sense that, for a few days, everything is different.

Since the event is a “county fair” in a county with no roads other than the twisted umbilical linking Santa Cruces two unequal personalities, it is a moment when rural cruceños “go to town.” Many go farther still, taking the boat into Panajachel for annual shopping and browsing. This is as close as some ever come to Guatemala City or Quetzaltenango.

The vetting for fair queen begins in April and culminates on May 8 with the investiture of the winner. Other highland queens, attired in dazzling finery and headdresses, come to assist with the coronation.

“But these poor girls arrive in the late afternoon the day before,” says Ratcliffe, “when the Xocomil has whipped up the lake. And most have never been on a boat.” Some of the queens are seasick by landfall.

Santa Cruz, like Guatemala as a whole, is today largely Protestant. But the pageantry of Guatemala’s Catholic heritage survives here.
“Santa Cruz has five evangélico churches,” notes Ratcliffe, “and a single Catholic one. But the traditional pomp endures. There’s not one parade, but two—one religious, one all-inclusive.”

The latter, the town’s premier social event, takes place on May 9. It resembles parades in other towns in that the marchers equal or exceed the spectators. Schools send their whole student body, and the city officials and the cofradía (town elders) are feted. Entire church congregations fold themselves in. But this parade snakes from lower to upper Santa Cruz—no small feat for for adolescent tuba players at high altitude. The marimbas come out this day and are played continually and ambiently for three days.

The other parade follows on May 10, the principal day. A solemn procession honors the Virgin Mary and the town patron, St. Helena of the Cross (Santa Elena de la Cruz), and their statues are marched on litters around upper Santa Cruz. No relics of Helena—bones, garment fragments, etc.—are held in the church vaults, but locals still petition her for miracles.

Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome, is the protagonist of Evelyn Waugh’s novel, Helena. The story records that she had brushes with martyrdom but died peacefully at 80. Hollywood’s portrayal of her in the compelling 1962 Constantine and the Cross alludes to her discovery of the cross of Christ. According to tradition, she went to Jerusalem in search of it; once there, she was presented with three candidates. She directed an ailing woman to touch these, and nothing happened with the first two crosses. But when the woman was cured on touching the third one, Helena proclaimed it the true cross. She then went on to uncover the crucifixion nails and, in fact, is today considered the patron of discovery itself. The Santa Cruz procession commemorates her own finds—17 centuries and a hemisphere away.

The fair’s climax, also on May 10, sees the emergence of masked horse dancers and wild toritos. These “bulls” are men running every which way, almost blindly, with their head and torso in a crate studded with rockets that go off as they charge. Screaming spectators part before them like schools of fish fleeing predators. Toritos have disappeared from most Guatemalan ferias, but they live on in cloistered Santa Cruz.

“It’s worth seeing,” Ratcliffe says. “But it’s insanely dangerous. Something best enjoyed from some distance. The women, at least, often plan their cover before it starts.”

The traditional boozing is blunted with a gloppy dish called pulique, a blend of chicken broth, corn masa and achiote, a spicy, red-orange clay made from crushed seeds. Card tables display traditional sweets: candied figs, macaroons, confections of guava, pumpkin seeds or peanuts, homemade mints and more.

Things begin winding down after the town’s name is emblazoned on the church campanile.

“And then it’s time to start planning for next year,” says Ratcliffe.

Outsiders wishing to experience the fair may lodge in Panajachel or in Santa Cruz itself. The boats disembark from Pana’s first dock, Muelle Tzanjuyú.

Avoiding Invisible Obstacles

2012-05-03T10:54:05-07:00

When I was a Boy Scout, we played a game when new Scouts joined the troop. We lined up chairs in a pattern, creating an obstacle course through which the new Scouts, blindfolded, were supposed to maneuver. The scoutmaster gave them a few moments to study the pattern before our adventure began. But as soon as the victims were blindfolded, the rest of us quietly removed the chairs. I think life is like this game. Perhaps we spend our lives avoiding obstacles we have created for ourselves and in reality exist only in our minds. We’re afraid to apply for that job, take violin lessons, learn a foreign language, call an old friend, write our congressman—whatever it is that we would really like to do but don’t because of personal obstacles. Don’t avoid any chairs until you run smack into one. And if you do, at least you’ll have a place to sit down. —Pierce Vincent Eckhart

Who are some of Guatemala’s most inspiring women?

2012-05-02T16:06:16-07:00

With the recent passing of Guatemala literary giant Luz Méndez de la Vega (1919-2012), and with Mother’s Day celebrated on Thursday, May 10th, it brought to mind a reflection of the most extraordinary women who have inspired me since I moved here in 1969.

These are women who are famous but also have the incredible quality of commanding attention as soon as they walk into the room—the “WOW” moment!

I met Dr. Méndez in 1972 at the University of San Carlos where she taught literature—an extremely attractive woman and soon becoming one of the foremost literary figures in Guatemala. Luz was the first woman to receive the Miguel Ángel Asturias National Literature Prize (1994), was a member of the Academia Guatemalteca de la Lengua and wrote many articles for the press defending the preservation of La Antigua Guatemala. I worked with her son, architect Rodolfo Asturias Méndez, one of the finest architectural restorers in the country, at the National Council for the Protection of La Antigua Guatemala. To him, she was “just” his mother.

Other women have inspired us throughout the years:

Rigoberta Menchú Tum—who definitely has a presence when she walks into the room—received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 “in recognition of her work for social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation based on respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.” I was honored to meet her on various occasions, including with the Dalai Lama during his visit to Guatemala. “La doctora” also established a seat for the Mayas at the Guatemalan table of politics and social rights.

Helen Mack, president of Fundación Myrna Mack, which she and a group of Guatemalans founded in 1993 to modernize and democratize the Justice System in Guatemala, standing up for justice in Guatemala. Coming up on 20 years of relentless efforts, she provides us with a sense that we are able, as women, to pioneer extremely difficult tasks.

Ana María Klein, whom I am honored to call my friend. She has done remarkable work with Madres Angustiadas, founded to facilitate Guatemalan men, women and children in the topic of security and exercising one’s rights and obligations in strengthening public institutions working in security and justice. I also admired her dedication in the 2011 Supreme Justice elections in Guatemala, a truly monumental task over the years. I also know her also as a wife and mom.

These women have contributed in an insurmountable way to improving the quality of life in Guatemala and inspire us to do better. Many are mothers. Many “mother” causes. Many do both.

The Color of Butter

2012-05-01T16:00:40-07:00

For a Germanic word with five of its six letters so harsh-sounding, “butter” is fairly pleasant in spoken English. Of course, in Spanish “mantequilla” sounds prettier, but that’s true of most words in Romance languages. Maybe it’s the smooth, rich taste of butter on toast that we think of, or butter dripping from a hot ear of corn, that coaxes a smile when we say the word butter.

Or is it the color? Butter is a sunny, bright, warm color, with memories of happy days, children playing in a field, picking wild buttercups for a little bouquet. Ah, remember holding a buttercup under young friends’ chins to see if they like butter?

Or maybe it’s that flower itself? Formally, buttercups are ranunculus, ranúnculo in Spanish, from the Latin for “little frogs,” of all things. And there are over 600 species of ranunculus around the world, mostly growing wild from Svalbard at the top of the Earth to Tierra del Fuego near the bottom.

Only a few species of ranunculus are native to Central America, but hundreds of varieties have spread here, involuntarily carried by migrant birds or mixed in grain seeds. Some types have many dense petals on the blossoms, others a few buttery petals spreading out like captured fireworks. Some ranunculus flowers are as large as the quetzal coin, other species have tiny blossoms. All are pale to rich dark yellow, varying as butter does with the seasons.

Sure, ranunculus are poisonous to horses and cattle, but animals are put off by the bitter taste and don’t eat enough to get hurt. Neither do we. Buttercup-yellow is there for us to enjoy as we did when children, points of sunshine along pathways, or in shaded areas with enough moisture to keep ranunculus happy.

Ranunculus blossom year-round here, but this warm, sunny season with just enough rain makes them plentiful now. Watch for them—see how many bits of butter you can spot in Altiplano fields.

Human rights activists to be honored for work in Guatemala, Latin America

2012-05-01T15:17:16-07:00

Two human rights defenders who have worked extensively in Guatemala and elsewhere in Latin America will be honored this month in New York with one of the largest human rights awards in the world.

The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives (ALBA) and the Puffin Foundation have selected Fredy Peccerelli, executive director of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, and Kate Doyle, senior analyst of U.S. policy in Latin America at the National Security Archive, to receive the second annual ALBA/Puffin Award for Human Rights Activism.

“Both Doyle and Peccerelli are indefatigable defenders of human rights who have played a seminal role in the fight against impunity in Latin America,” said Sebastian Faber, ALBA chair.

A determined and creative researcher-activist, Doyle has spent 20 years working tirelessly with Latin American human rights organizations and truth commissions—in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Peru—to obtain the declassification of U.S. government archives in support of their investigations.

Peccerelli is an innovative forensic anthropologist whose work has been instrumental to the first-ever conviction of Guatemalan military forces for crimes against humanity. As founding director of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, Peccerelli leads a team that, over the past 15 years, has exhumed hundreds of mass graves filled with victims of Guatemala’s civil war.

The award ceremony will take place May 13 at the Museum of the City of New York.

More information at www.alba-valb.org.

The Many Faces of Tikal

2012-05-01T14:56:16-07:00

All photos by Byron Ortiz

Tikal (or Tik’al according to the modern Mayan orthography) is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is located in the archaeological region of the Petén Basin in what is now northern Guatemala. Situated in the department of El Petén, the site is part of Guatemala’s Tikal National Park and in 1979 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tikal was the capital of a conquest state that became one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya. Though monumental architecture at the site dates back as far as the 4th century BC, Tikal reached its apogee during the Classic Period, ca. 200 to 900 AD. During this time, the city dominated much of the Maya region politically, economically, and militarily, while interacting with areas throughout Mesoamerica such as the great metropolis of Teotihuacan in the distant Valley of Mexico. There is evidence that Tikal was conquered by Teotihuacan in the 4th century AD. Following the end of the Late Classic Period, no new major monuments were built at Tikal and there is evidence that elite palaces were burned. These events were coupled with a gradual population decline, culminating with the site’s abandonment by the end of the 10th century. (source: Wikipedia)

REVUE’s June Photo Contest: Father

2012-05-01T13:40:06-07:00

If you would like to participate in our MONTHLY PHOTO CONTEST with the theme FATHER for JUNE, 2012 please send ONE HI-RES photo with caption/location and your name and website for the credit line to: photos@revuemag.com.

Submissions entered by May 10 will be eligible for June’s photo contest.

Si desea participar en nuestro CONCURSO FOTOGRÁFICO con el tema PADRE, edición de JUNIO, 2012; por favor envíe UNA fotografía en ALTA RESOLUCIÓN con el título, lugar donde fue tomada, su nombre y el sitio web para el crédito a: fotos@revuemag.com.

Serán elegibles las fotos que se reciban hasta el 10 de mayo para el concurso de la edición de junio.

Habrán premios para las fotos ganadoras, incluye cena para dos en La Peña de Sol Latino. Para más información RevueMag.com

May 2012 in Revue Magazine

2012-05-01T00:00:59-07:00

“Vamos mija” by Javier Álvarez Vassaux

Happy May to one and all. We hope you are enjoying our monthly Revue Photo Contests. As our cover conveys, this month’s theme was “Mother.” To be fair, the theme for June will be “Father.” We welcome all photo submissions, details and prize information can be found on the Revue website, Revue Facebook page and in this issue on page two.

Other fun things this month: a trip to Yaxhá Lagoon (crocodiles included); a visit to the Popol Vuh Museum to celebrate the “Month of Museums;” and a tour of the National Palace in Guatemala City.

As well, you will be: introduced to some inspiring women of Guatemala; invited to the Lake Atitlán Marathon; challenged to discover how much electrical power we need in our life; informed about the the high caliber of orthopedic care available in Guatemala; delighted with inside information about pepper and peppers; asked to envision the color of butter; inspired to read the book Shamans, Witches and Maya Priests; encouraged to celebrate the annual fair in Santa Cruz la Laguna; and updated on the cultural events taking place around Guatemala in May.

Thanks for reading the Revue and we hope you find it as it is meant to be… “fun, free and informative.”

—John & Terry Kovick Biskovich

By the way: The Revue main offices in La Antigua can now be found in our permanent location at 3a avenida sur #4-A.
Tels: 7931-4500 or 7832-4619

Guatemala Stargazing

2012-04-17T08:00:49-07:00

Ahora que entiendo la noche by Ivan Castro Peña

The rains will be starting soon and the burning in the fields may make for some viewing difficulties, but there will still be some good stargazing in the region in the next few months. Binoculars can help the viewing but there is no need for a telescope until you get hooked on the stars.

In early April the bright evening “stars” are really the planets Jupiter and Venus, one above the other and fairly low in the western sky just after sunset. Venus is brighter and higher while Jupiter is closer to the horizon and not as brilliant. Immediately above and to the left of Venus is the star Aldebaran, a red-colored star that is the eye of the bull at the start of the horns of the constellation Taurus.

During this month Venus will continue to rise while the rest of the stars and Jupiter will be closer to the horizon at sunset, so that by the end of April Venus will be higher than Aldebaran and Jupiter gradually becomes lost in the horizon’s haze or surrounding hills at sunset.

Meanwhile, in early April the moon will be in the eastern sky at sunset and on the 6th will just be rising as the sun sets: a full moon. The planet Mars will be immediately to the left (north) of the moon on April 3 but will be somewhat washed out by the moon’s bright reflected sunlight.

Three of the more interesting celestial objects are in the early evening sky this month: the constellations Orion (the hunter) and Taurus (the bull) and the asterism (group of stars) called the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters.

On April 3 Venus will be right in among the Pleiades. In Japanese the Pleiades are called Subaru, and the star group is part of the Subaru car insignia, reflecting the joining of six different companies to form Fuji Heavy Industries after World War II.

A special treat is available for anyone with a good southern view in the coming months. The smallest constellation, the Southern Cross, will be visible low on the southern horizon around midnight in late April, and into May in the early evening. It is called the Cruz de Mayo in these parts, and I will always remember the first time I ever saw it, from the beach at Tulate on the south coast some 45 years ago.

Stephen Stills said it all with his song of the same name. It does indeed look like a small cross with a bright star at each end of the upright and the slanted cross bar but with no star in the middle joint. It looks more like a child’s kite. A dimmer star on the lower right side completes the bright stars of this amazingly beautiful constellation. This smaller and dimmer side star is shown on the Australian flag but not on New Zealand’s.

Looking straight north in the early evening the asterism called the Big Dipper is easily visible with its distinctive long-handled ladle shape, now upside down pouring out its liquid onto the North Star, which is a faint star and probably not visible in the haze just above the northern horizon.

Written by Phil Jones, photo by Iván Castro Peña

About the author: Phil Jones works in Central America and visits Guatemala to assist in microfinance. He combines his work travel with stargazing all over the world and has written columns and guided evening stargazing tours.

Folklore and Fiestas in Jocotán

2012-04-16T15:40:54-07:00

The procession includes a ritual for a good harvest (photo: Hugo Peña Montes Ramirez)

This year the folkloric festival is celebrated April 26-28 and the feria is July 21-25

Interested in Mayan culture and want to check out a lesser-known region of Guatemala? Thinking about visiting the ruins of Copán? You can combine a trip to Copán, Honduras, with a stop in Jocotán, Chiquimula, Guatemala, and learn more about the Maya Ch’orti’.

The Ch’orti’ are related culturally and linguistically to the lowland Maya of Yucatán and Belize (Chol) rather than the highland Maya of Guatemala (Quiche-Pokam); scholars agree that ancestors of the Ch’orti’ built the Copán (Honduras) and Quiriguá (Guatemala) structures.

Jocotán is situated in the middle of the Ch’orti’ homeland, located just off a paved highway between the department capital of Chiquimula and the Honduran border crossing of El Florido. This community hosts a yearly feria honoring Saint Santiago (July 21-25) and a regional folkloric festival (April 26-28). The latter was initiated by Jocotán teachers in 1986 as a way to highlight Ch’orti’ culture, and activities include dance, music, procession and a handicraft market, as well as the election of Katu Suchij or Reyna o Flor de Maguey (Queen or Flower of Maguey). The feria patronal also includes a rodeo.

While visiting Jocotán you can relax in the new central park, view the colonial church, wander through an interesting Sunday market, or soak in nearby hot springs. The town is small enough to explore easily by foot, but there are plenty of tuktuks if you want a ride.

A relaxing place to enjoy a drink or meal is the ecotourism restaurant Río Grande and a comfortable place to stay is the Hotel Ramírez/Cuna Maya Chorti (www.hotelcunamayachorti.com). Reservations can be made via e-mail or by phone: hotelramirez@hotmail.com or cocinerohugo@gmail.com or (502) 4770-7691).

To get to Jocotán take any bus or microbus between Guatemala City/Chiquimula and El Florido, including the Litegua bus company (www.litegua.com). It also runs minibuses between La Antigua Guatemala and its main Guatemala City bus terminal. (Antigua office: (502) 7832-9850).

Dance group dressed in Ch’orti’ traje (photo: Hugo Peña Montes Ramirez)

Ganadores del concurso fotográfico mayo 2012 de REVUE

2012-04-16T13:00:06-07:00

Ganadores por decisión de los jueces del equipo editorial / Winners by editorial decision

Posición/Position: 1er lugar / 1st place Premio: Cena para dos en el restaurante La Peña de Sol Latino / Dinner for two at La Peña de Sol Tema/theme: Madre / Mother Título/title: “Vamos M’ija” Lugar/place: La Antigua Guatemala Autor/author: Javier Alvarez Vassaux Web: www.flickr.com/21359405@N04/

Posición/Position: 2do lugar / 2nd place Premio: Q300 Tema/theme: Madre / Mother Título/title: Ojos de madre Lugar/place: Panajachel, Sololá Autor/author: María José Carranza

Posición/Position: Mención honorífica / Honorable mention Tema/theme: Madre / Mother Título/title: Cargando mi Felicidad Lugar/place: Autosafari Chapín, Escuintla Autor/author: Flor Ortiz

Ganadores por voto popular en Facebook / Winners by popular votes in Face

Posición/Position: 1er lugar / 1st place Premio: 6 botellas de vino La Chamiza / 6 bottles of wine La Chamiza Tema/theme: Madre / Mother Título/title: La verdad detrás de la vida / The truth behind the life Lugar/place: Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Autor/author: Octavio Cortés Belches

Posición/Position: 2do lugar / 2nd place Premio: Q300 Tema/theme: Madre / Mother Título/title: Mis 4 razones para celebrar a las Madre / My 4 reasons to celebrate motherhood Lugar/place: La Antigua Guatemala Autor/author: Melissa Estefania Monterroso Contreras

Posición/Position: Mención honorífica / Honorable mention Tema/theme: Madre / Mother Título/title: Amor eterno / Eternal love Lugar/place: Templo del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús San Nícolas, Quetzaltenango Autor/author: Violeta Arredondo Web: mismejoresfotografias.webs.com

Todas las fotografías participantes / All the photos participating

Agradecemos a todos lo que participaron con una fotografía en nuestro concurso fotográfico. We thank all the people participating in our photo contest.

Cancer Treatment in Guatemala

2012-04-14T08:00:32-07:00

State-of-the-art treatment centers and excellent oncologists offer viable options for patients

Just say the word “cancer” and all sorts of emotions arise. Maybe we remember the sadness and loss of a co-worker or neighbor. Sometimes the grief strikes closer to home, like my husband, or your sister, or worse, a child. But more and more, we are experiencing another set of emotions regarding cancer treatment today: hope, bravery, triumph, relief and gratitude.

In the United States, one in six people is expected to suffer some form of cancer in their lifetime. With this sobering statistic regularly in the news, you have to wonder how this disease might affect your lifestyle, family relationships and retirement fund.

Determining the most effective course of treatment is not always a clear choice, as it is the result of extensive testing and careful planning by a team of cooperating specialists. Having insurance is no guarantee that you will be protected from major, life-changing expenses. Patients with insurance are thinking carefully before agreeing to treatment, because out-of-pocket co-payments for the drugs alone could easily run $15,000 to $30,000 a year.

In Guatemala, we are proud to offer three cancer treatment centers and top-notch oncologists, each with a separate focus, that are able to work in conjunction as a team, together with the surgeons, to impact the patient’s treatment plan toward a successful recovery.

Dr. Luis Linares of Hope Radiotherapy Center has over 25 years of experience performing 25,000 cancer-related procedures. From university studies in England to extensive research and work at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and then as medical director of the New Orleans Cancer Center, he has brought his skills and expertise back home to us in Guatemala. Offering radiotherapy and brachytherapy, Hope International opened in 2010 with state-of-the-art cancer treatment technology which surpasses the quality available in 60% of cancer hospitals in the United States.

Radiotherapy involves directing a specialized external beam into the tumor to diminish or destroy it, while brachytherapy is a time-release method of implanting seeds that release radiation in specific daily doses. In both of the non-painful treatments, no surrounding tissue is damaged. At Hope International, eight weeks of radiotherapy treatment, with five sessions per week, costs around $10,000, compared to $50k-90k in the U.S.
Dr. Luis M. Zetina Toache is leading figure in Latin America in the field of chemotherapy. As medical director of ONCOMEDICA Cancer Consultants since 2000, Dr. Zetina conducts high-level scientific research on new cancer drugs, here in Guatemala, fully supported by the FDA. He has participated in research protocols on Herceptin, Avastin, Tarceva, Xeloda and other drugs to successfully treat cancer with the latest advances in chemotherapy treatment methods.

Dr. Zetina is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the European Society of Medical Oncology and the Chemotherapy Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Ezra Greenspan of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. We are grateful to have the benefit of his many years of cutting-edge skills and research available to us here, in zone 15, Guatemala City.

At Medi-Center Guatemala, Dr. Byron Sanchez, a well-published hematologist and oncologist, has been researching the possible benefits of stem cell treatments for his patients. Although success rates vary, we look forward to the day when this exciting biotech application could be the source of reliable long-term positive results.

All of the physicians agree that early detection is the best hope for a cure. Since it is more difficult to treat patients who may have been mishandled or misdiagnosed by other doctors, the most highly skilled cancer specialists agree that the personal situation of each patient must be carefully analyzed before deciding which treatment plan is best for that particular patient.

written by Lori Shea, medical tourism facilitator

Lori Shea is the founder of Guatemala Medical Travel (www.GuatemalaMedicalTravel.com); you can contact her directly: lori@guatemalamedicaltravel.com

Las Fuentes Georginas

2012-04-13T12:13:16-07:00

An Historic Spa in the Highlands

Whether seeking therapeutic relief or a scenic, relaxing getaway, visitors again can enjoy the thermal pools of Las Fuentes Georginas in Guatemala’s Western Highlands near Quetzaltenango.

Severely damaged by Hurricanes Mitch in 1998 and Stan in 2005, the historic attraction was ruined in 2010 by Tropical Storm Agatha, which destroyed the access road and buried the site in mud and debris. After nine months of substantial rebuilding and new construction, the scenic venue reopened in March 2011.

The mist-shrouded spa offers guests an almost-surreal experience as steaming water cascades down a wall of rock, filling the first, wide pool. From there, the water flows into another pool, and then another—each a little cooler than the previous.

It’s common to see parents with kids, young couples and older patrons enjoying the pools. Occasionally, crutches are left beside the bathhouse while their owners immerse themselves in the soothing, mineral-rich water.

After workers from nearby Zunil stumbled upon the thermal springs in 1902, the site quickly became a communal bath for neighboring villagers. Improvements were made over the years; in the 1930s, frequent visitors included President Jorge Ubico and his wife Georgina, for whom the destination was named.

In addition to the pools, Las Fuentes Georginas provides several newly remodeled bungalows for overnight visitors. An excellent restaurant overlooks the pools, offering a varied menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner selections, as well as a fully stocked bar.

The pools, restaurant, bungalows, changing rooms, restrooms—every inch of the attraction—underwent substantial work, if not complete replacement, since Agatha’s destruction.

A short ride from Quetzaltenango, Las Fuentes Georginas is a well worth a visit.

written by Matt Bokor – photos: Thor Janson

Side note for Fuentes Georginas by Thor Janson
Overnight accommodations are available in one of a dozen or so refurbished cabins. Fuentes is located a half-hour drive from Quetzaltenango above the town of Zuníl.

Many visitor are not aware that Fuentes Georginas is also the entrance to the municipal forest reserve and for those who want to climb Zuníl Volcano. From the restaurant and main pool a path leads up into the forest. An hour or so climb takes you into true cloud forest where you may get a glimpse of the endangered resplendent quetzal. For nature lovers and bird watchers I would recommend a mid-week overnight stay to take full advantage of this beautiful, cloud-enshrouded forest.

After your strenuous hike doing some primo bird watching and nature viewing you have the added treat of soaking your weary bones in the medicinal hot sulfur waters. And if you really want to cure what ails you—if anything indeed does—do what the locals do and sip a little of the magic water directly from the rocks where it emerges. They say that it can cure just about anything!

More details are available at www.lasfuentesgeorginas.com

The town of Zunil, just below Fuentes Georginas (photo by Thor Janson)

Technology: Servant or Master?

2012-04-05T06:00:07-07:00

No matter where you reside, your life is now technology driven. Technology that was intended to liberate us, to provide more free time and productivity, has over the decades, enslaved us. In recent history, the change started 120 years ago with the development of factory production lines and electric appliances. The introduction of automobiles and technologies such as refrigeration has indeed offered support to us all.

However, over the decades, technology has become our master and we find ourselves dependent upon clocks, cell phones, internet and fossil fuel. Our careers and our connection to family and friends are now organized around technology.

True mental and physical health requires that we honor our essential nature. We are not machines; we are humans! Natural environments, like those here in Guatemala, revitalize us. Loving interactions with family and friends offer nourishment that is essential to our well-being. Spiritual connections are equally important.
Technology tends to feed our brains and often our priorities get distorted; we lose connection with the whole person. Technology becomes the middleman and the filter through which we interact. However, technology can support us, provided that we first anchor our sense of who we really are.

This is a guiding principle of holistic healing, taking into account that we are more than just a brain, a body or emotions. We are a whole person: Body, mind and spirit are all important ingredients in our identity and our health. By adopting a holistic perspective, one can make new choices about priorities. By valuing the whole person, then our decisions about where to invest our time and focus start supporting our health and well-being more effectively.

A holistic approach might require that you unplug from your favorite technology for a period of time, just to gain a fresh perspective. For example, how many hours a day do you (or your children) spend watching television? Surfing the internet? Has technology disconnected you from your wholeness? Have you adapted your life to technology?

While visiting Guatemala you have the perfect opportunity to unplug and reconnect. The moments spent gazing at the profound beauty of nature or simply chatting with a new friend offer perspective and balance.

True health invites us to honor all aspects of our being. Holistic health reminds us that the easily dismissible areas (perhaps exercise and spirituality) are important contributors to our health and resilience. If technology and compromise have slowly taken over your life energy, then inner discomfort will be present. That discomfort is a call to pay attention before a life crisis emerges.

Unplugging from your day-to-day life patterns offers perspective and renewal. Stress is reduced. Taking time off from our habits gives us access to deeper levels of inner wisdom and clarity. Unplugging from technology renews our self-awareness while unplugging from stress actually heals lives.

Here in Guatemala you can take time in a natural environment and renew your essential spirit. We all have an inner compass, a wisdom that can be accessed through our hearts. Perhaps it is that wisdom that brought you here!

written by Sri Ram Kaa & Kira Raa

Authors contact: www.LakeAtitlanSpa.com email: office@tosaspa.com

Atitlan Marathon 2012

2012-04-04T17:39:19-07:00

Runners along the planned marathon route: Roxanna A. & Cheryl M. (photo by R. Morgan)

MAY 1 – Tue., through May 25 – SPORTS & Culture: Registration is open for Atitlan Marathon 2012. The Atitlan Marathon 2012 is a 5-day non-profit sports and cultural event held at Lake Atitlan to raise funds for Lake basin environmental projects. Competitive half & full marathon races are held May 26 and 27. Recreational/cultural activities are offered May 25-29. Detailed information can be obtained at Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo in Antigua and Panajachel, online atwww.atitlanmarathon.com and by phone, daily from 3-6 p.m. at 7762-2326, Panajachel.

11 – Fri., 4 pm. – SPORTS: Final day of bank registration (Banco de Antigua) for Atitlan Marathon 2012, Guatemala.

21 – Mon., 8 pm. – SPORTS: Final day of walk-in registration in Antigua for Atitlan Marathon 2012. Hotel Posada Don Rodrigo, La Antigua.

25 – Fri., 6 pm. – SPORTS: Final day of walk-in registration in Panajachel for Atitlan Marathon 2012, Panajachel.

26- Sat., 8 am – SPORTS: Atitlan Marathon 2012 half-marathon race, Panajachel.

27 – Sun., 7 am – SPORTS: Atitlan Marathon 2012 full marathon race, Panajachel.

REVUE article: http://revuemag.com/2012/02/marathon-fever-comes-to-the-shores-of-atitlan/

Pine

2012-04-04T10:00:19-07:00

Pino (photo by Rudy Girón)

The clean, crisp, fresh, familiar scent of pine, from long and short needles gathered and bundled to be scattered on shop and café floors, is an aroma found year-around in Guatemala businesses and homes. This month more than ever, pine forms a large part of the rich odors of the Lenten season. Before the scores of processions wind through cobbled streets, pine needles are spread to soften the marchers’ tread. Needles are often a base for the alfombras, the intricate carpets of flowers and sawdust, or lovingly placed in green rectangles as a simple adoration before the passing saints.

The delicate scent of carpet needles is overpowered by smoke in the processions.Pine resins are concentrated into hard balls of pom, pitch, providing the heavy smudge from incense burners swung vigorously in front of the processions. You will smell it again when you next undress, your clothing saturated with the pine incense.

And taste pine. Those who head to the hills to gather needles and resins also pick up cones that yield nuts, roasted and munched alone or mixed into salads, stews and other flavorful dishes.

Want to paint? Artists need scores of shades on the palette to properly paint the trees of Highland forests or pine products in the processions. Green pine needles, golden pine pitch, light brown pine nuts, coffee colored pine bark, scores of shades are necessary to picture pine.

Pine is the most common tree in the world, we’re told by arborists, with more than 100 species on six continents. Two varieties are native to Guatemala and Central America, the long-needled Montezuma Pine and the somewhat shorter needles of Honduras Pine, the national tree of our neighboring country. Recent studies suggest both varieties developed many millennia ago in the Cuchumatanes mountains of Guatemala, then spread north into Mexico and south to Nicaragua, but we won’t let our Honduran friends down by telling them where their national tree originated.

Pine scents, pine shades, pine nut taste, the sticky touch of pine pitch, soft needles underfoot, pine easily reaches four out of five senses. Add sound, the crackle of pine logs in a fireplace, and pine is a delight for all our senses.

One-Man Band: Soapbox aka Rodrigo Rosales

2012-04-04T07:29:03-07:00

Soapbox aka Rodrigo Rosales (photo by Alan Benchoam)

Anyone who listens to music radio in Guatemala will no doubt be familiar with the name Soapbox. The talented musician had a No. 1 hit with his first solo single Time, and his second release, Now I’m Gone, looks to be heading in a similar direction. But not everyone may be aware that the man behind the name, Rodrigo Rosales, is a home-grown, Guatemalan star who does everything (down to directing his own music videos) himself.

“I think that being in a group can sometimes be restrictive,” Rosales says. “But if you’re a one-man band, you don’t have to limit yourself.”

The Guatemalan artist says he has always been inspired by musicians who played multiple instruments and guitarists who challenged the conventional approach to performance.

“When I was 13 years old I saw a (television) special on Jimi Hendrix and it blew my mind,” Rosales says.
From that day forward Rosales admits only wanting to perform in a similar style. So, having learned to play the guitar when he was 11, Rosales later taught himself to play the drums and piano before building a recording studio in his room and teaching himself all elements of production.

“I used to lock myself away and just focus on my music. I didn’t go out much; I just practiced in my room and was a bit of a loner… but I guess it’s starting to pay off now,” laughs Rosales.

Even though the musician has appeared on four albums from other artists in the past year, he professes that the Guatemalan music industry isn’t an easy one to crack.

“You need to have someone in there. I would go to radio stations every day with my music and get rejected. It was really difficult and I nearly gave up—that’s what the song Time is about,” says Rosales.

But eventually he started to receive support from local artists, helping to propel his music onto the radio.

Like most successful Guatemalan performers, Rosales funds his music through another career. He works as a furniture designer during the week and spends his spare time writing songs and trying to get the best sound possible out of his equipment.

Having grown up listening to music in English, Rosales says it was a natural decision to sing in English, but the musician still considers his voice his weakest instrument.

“I’m not used to being a frontman, I feel more confident playing the guitar than singing. But I have to get used to it, and now I guess there’s no turning back.

“My greatest challenge has always been myself. I was afraid at the beginning and didn’t have much confidence so I’ve had to overcome that,” says Rosales, who originally called himself “Soapbox.”

“When I was growing up, people used to dismiss local bands and I thought that if I put my name out there I would get rejected, so I used the pseudonym ‘Soapbox’,” admits Rosales.

Although Rosales has toured with bands and composed songs for other musicians, he is now focusing on his solo career. His self-written, first album Soapbox Vol. 1 is out now in local music stores. For more information on Rosales’ upcoming tour dates visit: reverbnation.com/soapboxgt

Revue Photo Contest for May: Mother

2012-04-03T15:05:22-07:00

Vote for your favorite photo at: Revue Photo Contest for May: Mother on Facebook

You are invited to participate in our MONTHLY PHOTO CONTEST with the theme MOTHER for MAY, 2012 please send ONE HI-RES photo with caption/location and your name and website for the credit line to: photos@revuemag.com.

Submissions entered by April 10 will be eligible for May’s photo contest. Prizes will be awarded after voting is over on April 15.