Meal of the Gods in Tikal, Guatemala
Most people go to Tikal to soak up the atmosphere and history of one of the world’s largest Mayan archeological sites. I went for a plate of chicken. In all fairness, it wasn’t an ordinary chicken dinner, but Subanik, a ceremonial Kaqchiquel Maya dish that relies on wild turkey, ancho and guaque chiles to impart its unique flavour. Although we’d been going to Guatemala for decades, we’d never once visited the mighty ruins. They were a 7 hour drive from San Vicente which meant it might as well have been in Winnipeg, as our family rarely leaves the village. There...
Read MoreGuatemala coffee…for a great cause
If you’re in Toronto and love a great cup of coffee, then it’s worth ordering authentic Guatemalan coffee from my pal, Ken McGuffin who, in addition to his mega media relations job at the Rotman School of Management has also managed to build a school in the highlands of Guatemala. You can read about his school-building activities in his Guatemala School Project blog or follow him on Twitter @schoolproject. Mayan girl near Coban About the coffee. It’s $10 for a 300 g bag and comes in a medium roast or a dark roast and in beans or ground. Café Justicia is Fair...
Read MoreStudy Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala
It was after midnight when the plane touched down in Guatemala City. The streets were clear of traffic and the moon had risen high above the jacaranda trees silhouetting Pacaya volcano, with its molten lava spilling out the cone. A short winding ride later, I neared my hotel in Antigua. The streets were empty, the wrought-iron gates of the colonial homes locked up tight and the air chill as the driver jumped out and rang the buzzer. And rang and rang and rang. The sleepy owner finally woke up and led me past a lantern-lit courtyard to my room. It was the doorman’s first day and he...
Read More5 unforgettable experiences on Day of the Dead in Guatemala
1) Explore a Kite Festival: Guatemalans believe the barrier between the realms of the living and the dead is at its most porous on Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) and the All Saints Day (Día de los Santos), so it’s an auspicious time to communicate with family ancestors by attaching messages to barriletes (kites) and letting the wind carry the messages up to the heavens. The best places to see these ceremonial kites are the barriletes fiestas held on November 1st in the central highlands near Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango. 2) Eat a Special Breakfast: Day of the Dead...
Read MoreCold springs, hot times at Pasabien, Guatemala
Ever since I first heard the song Soy de Zacapa I vowed to someday see the natural swimming balnearios (baths) at Pasabien. This spring I finally got my chance. The rest of the family had left for Guatemala City, Mama Tayo thought 35C too cold to swim and Papa Challo was sick, so we headed out with the boys, crossing the San Vicente River and skipping past the village of Huite. “Huitecos are known for their wit and intelligence,” said Javier, who enjoyed providing a running commentary about the people and places we passed while driving. Based on my recollection of the one guy from...
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Amazing Instagram photo by @sethstafford of Oahu's Sean Moody taking on the Mexican Pipeline
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Mercado Global's innovative approach to fighting poverty and empowering indigenous women in Guatemala’s highlands connects their artisan cooperatives to sales opportunities in the U.S. on an unprecedented scale.
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Beautiful Semuc Champey in Guatemala
In 2003, I left the corporate world to try my hand at travel writing. Now, I travel the world, writing about people, places and cuisine. My writing has appeared in over 100 publications and anthologies. 
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