Guatemala’s English-language Magazine MARCH 2022
revuemag.com Year 31 No. 1
30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
THIS MONTH IN REVUE On the Cover “Espejo del cielo” El Palmar, Quetzaltenango by Guido De León PHOTO CONTEST Theme for March 2022 “Guatemala in Black & White” click for details
From the Publishers La Antigua Interactive Map CLICK TO: Buy Fresh-baked Bread Get your car repaired Relax at the Lake
Previous Revue articles and Photo Contests RevueMag.com
Advertiser INDEX
places to go, things to do and fun to be had.
Restaurants - Hotels Shopping - Services Real Estate - Travel
Guatemala’s English-language Ezine
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INTERACTIVE REVUE
consultas@revuemag.com Corporate offices: Tel: (502) 5031-0859
VIDEO
2
For Business Listings, Information, Maps and Events Calendar RevueMag.com fb.com/revuemagazine
Lent Activities in Antigua for march 2022 by Hadazul Cruz
The Four Sundays of Lent will include Holy Masses, Holy Vigils, and a Sacred Music Concert.
40
REVUE PHOTO PORTFOLIO
WHISPERS IN THE THREAD
featuring Sergio Delattre
Artbook presentation with Lena Bartula Talk and book signing by the author on March 28 ...more
A photographer’s journey to Acatenango ...
60
48
Amalia’s Kitchen by Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard
Delicious Moments in Nicaragua With a recipe for Guiso de Pollo y Verduras While my heart and soul and culinary core are deeply Guatemalan, my desire and curiosity to learn about the synergies of all Latin cultures is only natural — we share so many traits. ...more
64
3
Places to go, things to do and fun to be had... Click on title to go to desired page
DINING ANTIGUA DOÑA LUISA XICOTENCATL home cooked meals and fresh bread baked daily CERRO SAN CRISTOBAL organic farm, slow food, garden-to-table restaurant THAI-WOW delicious thai food in a beautiful setting
SERVICES/SHOPPING ANTIGUA ARNOLDS GARAGE engine repair, transmissions, a/c, master mechanic COMUNITEL internet service where no one else gives it VET PRO veterinary clinic - English, Spanish, French spoken CASA MURIEL senior living center, assisted living retirement home
LAKE ATITLÁN JARDINES DEL LAGO HOTEL you deserve to relax at the lake
4
revuemag.com
5
6
PAN DE BANANO
PIE DE MELOCOTÓN
Breakfasts, Sandwiches, Burgers, Stuffed Potatoes, Cakes, Pies & Cookies
Desayunos, Sandwiches, Hamburguesas Papas Rellenas, Pasteles, Pays & Galletas
ENSALADA DEL CHEF
PAN DE ALMENDRA
ESCANEA Y CONOCE NUESTRO MENÚ
7
FEATURED VIDEOS, GUATEMALA Restaurant Cerro San Cristóbal, La Antigua
video courtesy of Mexcal - Rhet Filadelfia Coffee Tour in Antigua
14
15
from the Publishers
T
his month marks the Revue magazine’s 30th anniversary. We are so grateful for the many interesting people we have met along the way, and, for the pleasure of working and collaborating with some amazing and talented writers, photographers, activists, artists, musicians, doctors, entrepreneurs, volunteers and teachers. Thank you for reading and we hope you enjoy our March edition. Beautiful photography is the main fare in our 30th Anniversary Issue of Revue. Volcanoes of Guatemala is the theme and the images from the photographers are a feast for the eyes. In the picture-to-word equation, we have over 30,000 words in the following pages, not counting the articles. For the first time in two years there are some Lent Activities in Antigua for March. The four Sundays of Lent will include Holy Masses, Holy Vigils and a Sacred Music Concert. More activities may still be announced and we will keep you posted on the Revue Facebook page. In the literature department, artist and writer Lena Bartula returns to Antigua to present a talk and book signing on Monday, March 28 at Cafe Condesa for her book Whispers in the Thread, with 147 full color pages of contemporary textile art, stories, poems, and legends. — Terry & John Kovick Biskovich All the best in March to all of you.
revue team Publishers/Editors: John & Terry Kovick Biskovich Photography: Luis Toribio, César Tián Graphic Designer: Hadazul Cruz Contributing Writer: Mark D. Walker Webmaster/Social Media JB Systems: Luis Juárez, Luis Toribio Publishing Company: San Joaquin Producciones S.A. 16
interactive features As you turn a page you’ll notice some of the text/images are briefly highlighted. Click or tap on them to enter the world of interactivity. Double-tap on a page to zoom in. Click on a page to view highlighted content. In the contents and advertiser index pages just click or tap on the subject you’re interested in and it will take you to that page. Videos will play directly in the format.
17
18
1st Place Judges Vote “Agua” La Antigua by German Velásquez
19
20
2nd Place Judges Vote “Coloso” Asenso volcán de Pacaya by Alejandro Gonzalez 21
22
3rd Place Judges Vote “La Ventana de Aitlán” San Jorge La Laguna by Edgar Morales 23
24
Honorable Mention “Amanece (sunrise) en Antigua Guatemala” by José Miguel Hosttas V.
25
“Contemplación” San Antonio Palopó, Sololá by Lo Reyes
26
1st Place Popular Vote “Vista Volcán San Pedro” Panajachel Solola by Roberta Marisol Sacalxot
2nd Place Popular Vote “Atardecer” La Antigua by Alejandrina Zapet
28
“Amanecer entre colosos” Alotenango by Renato Guillermo
29
30
“Sunset view from San Cayetano Estate of volcan de Fuego” by Jerry Long
31
32
“El Imparable Volcán de Fuego” Campamento del Volcán de Acatenango by Hugo O. Chajón
33
34
3rd Place Popular Vote “Dos volcanes” Palencia, Ruta al Atlantico by Will Cruz 35
36
“Desde el volcán de Acatenango” by Daniel Iguardia
37
38
“Father and Son” by Bo Chelette
39
by David Rojas
40
Photo courtesy of Hermandad de Jesús Nazareno de la Salvación
First sunday of Lent March 6 Jesús Nazareno de Santa Catarina Bobadilla La Antigua Guatemala
Activities 8:00 hrs. Holy Mass 9:30 hrs. - 00:00 hrs Holy Vigil. Additional, special veneration time every half an hour for people who aquire the Lent Kit 2022. There won’t be a procession this 2022. More information: /Jesus-Nazareno-de-la-Salvacion 41
by Javier Álvarez Vassaux 42
by Roberto Urrea
Second Sunday of Lent March 13 Jesús Nazareno de Santa Inés La Antigua Guatemala
Activities 7:00 hrs. Holy Mass 8:00 - 21:00 hrs. Holy Vigil 18:00 hrs. Sacred Music Concert There won’t be a procession this 2022. More information: /JesusdeSantaInesAntigua 43
by Miguel Cruz
44
by Roberto Urrea
Third Sunday of Lent March 20 Jesús Nazareno de Jocotenango, el Dulce Rabí Jocotenango
Activities To publication date, there was no official announcement about Third Sunday activities. Stay tuned. More information: /hermandaddejocotenango 45
by Luis Antonio Ortiz
46
by Francisco Boc Ajin
Fourth Sunday of Lent March 27 Jesús Nazareno Santa Ana, La Antigua Guatemala
Activities To publication date, there was no official announcement about Third Sunday activities. Stay tuned. More information: /nazarenodesantaana 47
Whispers in the Thread Artbook presentation with Lena Bartula
BOOK PRESENTATION WHERE Cafe Condesa, La Casa del Conde 5a Avenida Norte, La Antigua 48
WHEN March 28, 5pm
PRESENTATION SYNOPSIS
W
hispers in the Thread recounts and celebrates a 15year series of contemporary huipiles by Lena Bartula. It has been an inspired, deep dive into the mystery and seduction of a garment that is at once text and textile. Says the artist: “The idea of ‘clothing as messenger’ transformed me into a fabric and installation artist, and along the way, an advocate for women’s rights. Come along on this journey that began with the woven wonders of Guatemala,
Oaxaca, and Chiapas, changing my life, my art, and my heart.” Bartula returns to Antigua to present a talk, book signing and sale on Monday, March 28 at Cafe Condesa. Whispers in the Thread, with 147 full color pages of contemporary textile art, stories, poems, legends in both English and Spanish, connects the strands of ancient wisdom to contemporary artmaking with social consciousness. Included in the book are works from her 2014 49
exhibitions in Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, Museo Ixchel, and even her weaving collaboration with Lidia Lopez of San Antonio Aguas Calientes.
there will be time for Q&A, one of the best ways to connect artist with audience. Books will be available for signing and sale both before and after the talk.
Published in Dec. 2019, Whispers features poems and essays by contributing authors and a superbly written forward by Ana Paula Fuentes, founding director of Museo Textil in Oaxaca.
Lena Bartula is an artist, writer, curator, gallerist, and transplant from the U.S. now living in Mexico. Her textile and mixed media work is rooted in social consciousness, environmental awareness, and women’s stories. Early in her career, she used text and image to convey messages in oil, acrylic, printmaking, and collage, never imagining she would travel outside that known terri-
While the book is bilingual, this presentation at Cafe Condesa will be given in English, the artist’s first language. Afterward, 50
tory. In the mid-90s while living in Santa Fe, New Mexico she fell in love with the indigenous blouse called a “huipil’ and in 2003 began stitching her stories on paper and cloth. Now her studio practice revolves around reclaimed fabrics and found objects, transforming them into imaginary garments and fabric collage, inspired by the traditional clothing of diverse cultures of the world. Her art has been shown in museums and galleries in more than 80 exhibitions and is found in collections in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Holland, Mexico
and U.K. She moved to Mexico in 2004, and since 2008 has resided in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. In 2018, Bartula opened La Huipilista Artspace, where artists, workshops, salons, readings, and every kind of artful event are held. She believes in “All Art, All the Time” and thus, she lives, works, and exhibits in her own artspace, where she is the artist in (her own) residence. This year, 2022, she created “A Room of Her Own,” a small apartment / writers’ retreat for single women and is rescheduling the projects that were stalled during the pandemic.
51
What others say about
Whispers in the Thread The intricacy and beauty of Bartula’s work is unique and belongs to the canon of what a garment – especially a woman’s garment can mean. — Jennifer Clement, President of PEN International Lena Bartula’s Whispers in the Thread, in itself, is a work of art; it satisfies and astonishes on so many levels — aesthetically and intellectually, conceptually and spiritually. — Judith Cooper Haden, Photographer and author, Oaxaca the Spirit of Mexico: From Seed to Salsa This magnificent book, beautifully designed and illustrated, allows us to enter Bartula’s world of motivations and leads us through her rich creative process. —Alberto Lenz, former director of Centro Cultural El Nigromante de Bellas Artes By embracing the Mesoamerican dress called a huipil as the vessel for her vision and story, Lena Bartula creates a bold and unexpected body of contemporary art and process thinking... In her book, images and text leap borders and sociopolitical abstractions. — Maia Williams, Co-director, San Miguel Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival 52
53
VE T E RIN ARY CL I NI C
Mon-Fri: 8am - 1pm & 2:30 - 6pm - Sat: 9am - 2pm
E N GLI S H F R E N CH S PA N I S H Spoken Dr. Juan Pablo Calderón - Vaccinations - Surgery - X-ray - Dental Clinic 54
- Ultrasound - Laboratory Services - Emergencies - Export Licenses for pets
* Gas anesthesia
Tel: 7965 3347 Km. 47 Carr. a Ciudad Vieja, Casa No. 1 San Pedro El Panorama Hospital Veterinario Vet-pro
55
ASSISTED LIVING RETIREMENT HOME Casa Muriel is an active retirement community with all the services of a comfortable private home, plus nursing care and activities to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. It’s also a luxury private residence focusing on all the positive aspects of aging by maintaining physical and intellectual activity, cultivating a serene outlook and celebrating good humor among friends. University trained RNs, a full-time gerontologist and local certified nurse assistants offer medical advice and hands-on attention every day, to assure your well-being, dignity, and peace of mind. Private or shared, cozy or spacious, pre-furnished or bring your own comfy recliner, bookcase, and furnishings to feel right at home. Individual internet routers assure reliable high-speed connection in every room, for TV shows, movie streaming, and video chats with the family. Contact us now to take advantage of special discount prices during this month. On the GuatemalaRetirement.com website, home page lifestyle sections will take you to additional pages with stories that describe Our Residents, The Comfortable Home, Health & Well-being, Community Interaction and Medical Providers.
56
Website in English: GuatemalaRetirement.com Website in Spanish: ResidenciaAdultoMayor.com Facebook.com/CasaMurielAntigua Email: L.Shea@ GuatemalaRetirement.com Guatemala phone: +502/ 3315-1555 USA phone: (401) 486-7782
Our goal is for every resident of Casa Muriel to say, “What a relief! I don’t have to worry about that anymore.” We share classes, meals, music, exercise, and activities because meaningful relationships and good humor cure loneliness, the primary cause of aging. Classes and informal groups are scheduled every day, to discuss photography, music, nature, pets, books, international travel, etc. Unlimited topics to initiate friendships and learning.
Consider a post-operative short-term stay a Casa Muriel for a stress-free recovery. The quality of life you will enjoy next year depends on the postoperative care and therapy you receive in the days and weeks that follow. Attention to detail and constant monitoring will assure daily improvement until you feel strong enough to go home, back to your old self and better than ever.
With natural ingredients and loving preparation, Casa Muriel provides meals, social events, and dinner conversation that you can’t get when you are living alone. Wake up to your favorite foods and beverages and enjoy what you like to eat during the day. Menus are planned with the preferences of each individual resident in mind.
57
V.I.P. PATIENT ADVOCATES Guatemala Medical Travel is the trusted source for high-quality medical coordination services in Guatemala, providing nurse-companions, business managers, and VIP personal attention for local and international patients since 2009. As a very specialized medical travel facilitator, Guatemala Medical Travel investigates and thoroughly qualifies the doctors and hospitals we represent in order to assure that our clients receive the finest medical care in the country. We verify credentials, conduct in-depth interviews and request letters of recommendation from both former patients and other doctors.
Informed consumers turn to the internet to access the vast amounts of information regarding health care options available in other countries. Patients now have the ability to choose from the best in the world, not just in their home state. At Guatemala Medical Travel, our international clients are aware and confident, ready to take advantage of the superior quality and affordable health care choices offered in Guatemala. 58
We are proud to work together with these globally recognized providers of Guatemala Medical Travel, an outstanding group of superior physicians, dentists, and hospitals, fully qualified through board certification, extensive investigation, peer review, and several years of practical experience with hundreds of successful medical travel patients. Patients in Guatemala are actively encouraged to fully understand the treatment methods the doctor prescribes, and to participate in the decision-making process for their own long-term good health. Depend on your GMT personal advocate to facilitate the process and keep you informed, promptly and efficiently.
For foreign visitors, local neighbors, and Casa Muriel residents, we work hand-in-hand with the finest medical & dental providers in Guatemala City to offer global quality procedures and attentive VIP personal care, sincerely and accurately at a very reasonable price Website: GuatemalaMedicalTravel.com Email: Lori@ GuatemalaMedicalTravel.com Guatemala phone: +502/ 3315-1555 USA phone: (401) 486-7782
e
59
REVUE PHOTO PORTFOLIO featuring Sergio Delattre
“Yesterday was a great trip to Acatenango, and seeing Fuego exploding from so close was wonderful! It was exhausting however and very cold. I couldn't take night photos unfortunately due to the cold and wind, but I got some photos here...” —Sergio Delattre, Antigua Tempus Photography (Feb. 24, 2022) Instagram: @antiguat_photography FB: @antiguatphotography
60
Sergio Delattre
61
Sergio Delattre
62
63
Amalia’s Kitchen text & photos by chef and author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard
Delicious Moments in Nicaragua
W
hile my heart and soul and culinary core are deeply Guatemalan, my desire and curiosity to learn about the synergies of all Latin cultures is only natural — after all, we share so many traits. 64
From north to south and east to west, Latin America is rich not only in culture, but in unique cuisines. Recently, I traveled to a country off the beaten path for many and found a warm and very friendly land and people.
At times, I felt I was in Guatemala and as I turned the corner, in Mexico, and then in El Salvador and other countries that I have visited in the Latin American region. The towns and city structural similarity is another commonality that we inherited from the Spaniards. What is unique about Nicaragua is its cultural diversity and historical background. While in the country, I spent time in León and Granada, both colonial and cultural, but uniquely different from each other. Granada resembles La Antigua Guatemala from a long time ago when I was
a little girl growing up in Guatemala, and León is a laid-back place with a small-town feel. I enjoyed each one differently. Managua was transformed by past political strife and there really is not a quickly recognizable downtown. From the airport to my hotel downtown it felt that there was a short distance and once you are in the area many relevant places are within a few minutes from each other. Conflict from its past took its toll throughout the country, but it is more obvious in the capital. Today’s Managua is a contrast of a recovering city with modern touches and an
65
older world feel where carts drawn by donkeys awkwardly merge with the bustling traffic of cars and buses at all hours. This was touching and special. It reminded me that in Guatemala City some public services were once managed with donkey carts. While working animals are still used in rural parts in some Latin countries, in Guatemala City they have almost vanished. The cherry on the cake for me was the visit to the mercados and cooking with local chefs and friends. I found a simple yet delicious cuisine that had all the traits of 66
Mexican and Central American cuisine combined. I identified unique cooking techniques and ingredients that give the cuisine its character and style; however, it is each individual that makes it truly special. I am fond of all things made with vegetables and found a new friend in Nicaraguan cuisine, as it contains plenty of the locally grown varieties of the typical Latin American staples such as corn, squash, herbs and spices, plus other unique plants. Key flavorings such as mint and sour orange predominate.
67
tion of a special dish that I truly enjoyed during my visit.
Guiso de Pollo y Verduras Shredded Chicken and Vegetable Stew By Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard (AmaliaLLC.com)
What I learned and took in from Nicaragua will stay with me until the next time I visit to continue a deeper exploration of the north and southern coasts, which promises to be equally unique. If you care to visit, do so. Despite the country’s challenges of the past, I felt safe everywhere I went and the people whom I interacted with made me feel at home. In celebration of a sweet time spent with friends and colleagues, here is my rendi68
1 tbsp. canola oil 1 cup julienne yellow onion 1 tsp. minced garlic 3 roma tomatoes cut into 8 wedges 1 cup julienne carrots 1 cup julienne chayote squash 1 tbsp. tomato paste dissolved in a little chicken stock 2 cups cooked shredded chicken ½ cup chicken stock 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Add the oil to a hot skillet and sauté the onion, garlic, tomatoes, carrots and chayote squash gradually for a total of 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, the shredded chicken and chicken stock. Season with the lime juice, salt and pepper, and taste. Serve with Nicaragua-style guacamole, chile criollo, queso seco rallado, gallo pinto, crema acida, and tortillas.
Guiso de Pollo y Verduras
69
70
“Volcanes impresionantes de mi bella Guatemala” Desde faldas del Volcán de Pacaya by Sergio Antonio Juárez Lemus 71
“Fuego rumbles” La Reunión by JB
72
“Conquistando al gran Acatenango” Volcán de Acatenango by Sucely Guarcas
73
74
“Los guardianes (Tolimán y Atitlán) desde la Piedra” Mirador Piedra Roja, San Jorge La Laguna by Luis Soto (piclass)
75
76
“Baño de sol” Fuego by @Mirna Ortíz Photography
77
78
“Atitlan” by Henry Cukier
79
80
“Ixcanul” Panajachel, Sololá by Alexis Tax
81
“Triada de luz” San Miguel Dueñas by Diego Romero
82
“Majestuosa Agua” La Antigua by David Dean
83
“Amaneciendo entre Volcanes” Lago de Atitlan by Julio Mucun
84
85
“¡Volcán de fuego!” RN14 by José Carrillo / MotoChapin502
86
“Volcano view” Lake Atitlan by Sheryl Williams
87
88
“From afar” Fraijanes Flor Tobar S.
89
90
“Guardianes colosales” Alotenango, Sacatepéquez by Emanuel García
91
“Espejo del cielo” El Palmar, Quetzaltenango by Guido De León
92
“El solitario antigueño” Antigua by Jaime Barrientos Montalvo
93
“Última luz del día” Vuelta grande, Hobbitenango by @Antony Perez Zamora 94
95
96
97
98
“Coloso” desde el Cerro Chino by Carlos Francisco Hernandez Juarez.
99
100