One of the finest coffees in the world Written by: Lorena Bleker Edited and revised by Ailsa Naismith. Bristol, UK
Photo: Philadelphia Farm, Antigua Guatemala
Coffee is a personal taste,
yet, there are ways to appreciate a good coffee.
Guatemalan coffee is rated
by many experts as one of the best coffees in the world. The coffee varies from region to region and
harvested from different altitudes and that is why the flavors of Guatemalan
coffee are so special and complex.
The flavor of Guatemalan
coffee is medium to full-bodied, it is perfectly balanced in its acidity and in
most harvests, you can appreciate the individual tones; we could say in general
that; a cup of Guatemalan coffee will carry the chocolate, smoky and spicy
tones.
Some of the Guatemalan´s finest
coffee is produced in the farms around Antigua Guatemala and the slopes of the
volcanoes nearby. If you go to Antigua
Guatemala you can visit a few farms like Philadelphia Coffee or la Azotea Farm,
which also holds a Coffee Museum. Coffee from Cobán is a high-quality acidic
coffee, due to its altitude. The most famous representative of Cobán coffee is
Kaffee Dieseldorf. The Huehuetenango coffee is noted for its finest acidity and
unique flavors and the best coffee of this area, according to experts, is the
one coming from El Injerto Farm.
Guatemala still holds old species
of trees such as bourbon, thanks to sponsored programs that are enabling coffee
producers to continue cultivating high quality trees for the gourmet market.
How did the coffee boom start in Guatemala?
The Germans in the 19th
century introduced coffee to Guatemala. Their immigration to Guatemala began
with the socio-economic crisis in Germany, during the transition to the
industrial era. The first Germans arrived at the Belgian colony which was
settled in Santo Tomas, Puerto Barrios, Guatemala in the 1840s,
After their first arrival in
Guatemala, the Germans also settled in the capital and in many other parts of
the country and devoted themselves to their profession in crafts, business and
commerce. This immigration increased significantly in the last decades of the 19th
century due to the industrial and commercial expansion of the German Empire as
well as the opportunities in Guatemala under the liberal regimes which favored
concession of land to foreigners especially those from Europe and North
America. The Germans introduced the cultivation of coffee and developed a big
industry with trade and export. At the end of the century they controlled one
third of the coffee production in Guatemala and exported two thirds of its
production to Germany.
By the end of the 19th century
about one thousand Germans lived in Guatemala, and by 1920s, the number grew to
up to 3,000. The Germans founded associations, clubs, schools, a Protestant
church and a German newspaper. Through these institutions they preserved the
characteristics of their nationality, language and culture.
By 1940 the German
community was a visible and influential force in Guatemalan society and its economy.
During the World War II, under the strong economic and political pressure from
the United States, the Guatemalan government confiscated all the assets and
properties from them. Many Germans were
deported back to Germany, just a few were left behind in Guatemala and kept
their farms. It has been said that the
ones left; claimed to be Jewish Germans, therefore they could stay. The
Dieseldorff is one of the German families, allowed to stay, and their farms
near Coban are still producing good quality coffee.
According to the German
embassy, nowadays there are approx. 5000 Germans registered and living in
Guatemala and an unknown number of descendants from the earlier immigration. Guatemala currently has a strong community of
Germans who make up the majority of European immigrants in the country, and it
is also the most populous German communities in all Central American countries.
Where to buy good coffee in Guatemala City?
There are a few places in zone 13 where you
can buy good coffee to take home.
The coffee you enjoy at
Dos Lunas, comes from Antigua Guatemala. We also sell coffee in portions of 200
grams. In beans or ground.
Photo: Finca el Injerto
The Guatemalan coffee,
ranked best worldwide, comes from the Finca el Injerto in Huehuetenango. You
can enjoy a cup of their best harvest for Q30.00 (approx. USD4.00 cup) A pound
of this coffee cost Q140.00 or approx. USD18.50
Between Dos Lunas and the
airport there is one Coffee Roasting company called Godoy’s coffee. They also have a coffee tour and you can taste
their coffee while there. For more
information visit their website: www.godoyscoffee.com
A few more places are good
options for a nice cup of coffee:
If you visit the Historic
Center, these are a few places where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee:
La Tacita de Plata. 11 calle 6-11 zona 1. @latacitadeplataguatemala
Café de Imeri.
6ª calle 3-34, zona 1. @deimeri.caferestaurante
Photo: Guatemala.com
If you are interested in where some of the best
coffee in the world comes from, this book is for you. “The
history of coffee in Guatemala”, by Regina Wagner.
•
By DOS LUNAS•
Posted in Travel Guide•Comments Off on Bird Watching in our Neighborhood Aurora II
BIRD WATCHING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AURORA II
GUATEMALA CITY
BIRDS
By Lorena Bleker
With
the help from a guest that is a professional birdwatcher and biologist from
Sweden, we have made a list of some of the birds that you can find, observe and
enjoy in our small neighborhood Aurora II.
The
observation was made in the months of February and March, but many of these
birds can be appreciated most of the year and some others start to immigrate
from the north around august or later…
Despite
the severe biodiversity loss due to airport, massive urbanization, pollution,
invasive species, habitat loss and climate change, we still enjoy of some
beautiful birds in our area. We would
like to help to re-connect our guests and neighbors with the natural world and
raise awareness of the seriousness that biodiversity loss represents and how it
affects them directly and to all of us.
For
those who are birdwatchers, if you are visiting our neighborhood, and you
identify another type of bird that is not on the list, please let us know and
send us details so we can add it to this list. hoteldoslunas@gmail.com
Name: TENESSEE WARBLER (M) Scientific Name: Oreotriplys Peregrina Name in Spanish: Chipe Peregrino
Description:
The Tennessee Warblers loud, staccato song often signals the
peak of spring songbird migration in eastern North America. Described by
Alexander Wilson in 1811 from a migrant specimen on the banks of Tennessee’s
Cumberland River, its common name belies the fact that its breeding range is
restricted almost entirely to the boreal forest zone of Canada, extending into
southeastern Alaska and the extreme northern fringe of the United States. Most
migrants move along the eastern seaboard east of the Mississippi Valley,
crossing the Gulf of Mexico to and from wintering grounds in Central and
northern South America. *
Name: YELLOW WARBLER (M) Scientific Name: Sethopaga Petechia Name in Spanish: Chipe amarillo
Description:
The aptly named Yellow Warbler is found throughout much of North
America in habitats briefly categorized as wet, deciduous thickets. Most
resident populations in the Caribbean and in Central and South America breed in
mangroves, although at some sites they also occur in coastal scrub or even in
montane forests. The Yellow Warbler is the most strikingly yellow among North
American wood-warblers. *
This bird Migrates mostly at night. Fall migration is very
early, with many moving south during August.
Name: ORCHARD ORIOLE (M) Scientific name; Icterus Spurius Name in Spanish: Bolsero castaño
Description:
Most common in the Midwest and South is this small oriole. It
favors open areas with scattered groves of trees, so human activities may have
helped it in some areas, opening the eastern woodlands and planting groves of
trees on the prairies. Orchard Orioles often gather in flocks during migration.
The black-throated young male, sitting alone in a treetop and singing his
jumbled song, is often confusing to beginning birders. Migrates in flocks; many
move north across the Gulf of Mexico in spring. Fall migration begins very
early, with some southbound by late July.
Name: BALTIMORE ORIOLE (M) Scientific name: Icterus Galbula Scientific name: Icterus Galbula Name in Spanish: Bolsero de Baltimore
Description:
One of the most brilliantly colored songbirds in the east,
flaming orange and black, sharing the heraldic colors of the coat of arms of
17th-century Lord Baltimore. Widespread east of the Great Plains, Baltimore
Orioles are often very common in open woods and groves in summer
Migrates in flocks.
Fall migration begins early, with many birds departing in July and August from
North America to Central and South America.
Name: GOLDEN FRONTED WOODPECKER (R) Scientific name: Melanerpes Aurifrons Name in Spanish: Carpintero frentidorado
Description:
A sedentary species whose distribution straddles the temperate
and tropical regions of Middle America, the Golden-fronted Woodpecker ranges
into the United States only to Texas and southwestern Oklahoma. *
Name: BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (R) Scientific Name: Thraupis Episcopus Name in Spanish: Tángara azul-gris
Description:
The Blue-gray Tanager is one of the most widespread, and
ubiquitous, birds of the humid lowland neotropics. At almost any location
between southeastern Mexico and central South America, it is a familiar
presence at forest edge, in second-growth, along roads and rivers, in
plantations, and even in urban parks and gardens.
Name: CLAY COLORED THRUSH (R) Scientific name: Turdus Grayi Name in Spanish: Mirlo o Censontle
Description:
From eastern Mexico to northern Colombia, this plain gray-brown
thrush is very common in lowland habitats, including parks and gardens. In
recent years it has become a regular visitor to southernmost Texas, especially
in winter, and it has even nested there several times. It was formerly called
Clay-colored Robin.
Name: HOUSE SPARROW (E) Scientific Name: Passer domesticus Name in Spanish: Gorrion
Description:
Permanent resident
over most of its range, including throughout North America. One of the most widespread and abundant
songbirds in the world today. Tough, adaptable, aggressive, it survives on city
sidewalks where few birds can make a living; in rural areas, it may evict
native birds from their nests.
Name: FERAL PIGEON (E) Scientific Name: Recurvirostra avosetta Name in Spanish: Paloma
Description:
Feral pigeons are descended from the rock dove which was
originally domesticated to provide food. Feral pigeons are now found all over
the world
Rock doves have blue-grey under and upperparts and a white patch on their
rumps. There is an iridescent band of green and purple on their necks and they
have grey wings with two black wing-bars. Their eyes and legs are red.
Name: GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (R) Scientific name: Quiscalus mexicanus Name in Spanish: Zanate
Description: Mostly migratory in northern parts of its
range; however, it has recently become a permanent resident in some areas where
it formerly occurred only in summer. Wherever it occurs, this big blackbird is impossible to
overlook — especially the male, with his great oversized tail and incredible
variety of callnotes.
Name: WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (R) Scientific name: Hylocharis leucotis Name in Spanish: Colibri oregiblanco
Description:
White-eared Hummingbird occupies montane pine-oak, oak, and
pine-evergreen forests from the extreme southwestern
United States south to Nicaragua. These are territorial hummingbirds spend most of their
time at the lower and middle levels of the forest, where they are particularly
common near banks of low flowers. Both males and females have a dark cheek
bordered by a long white stripe behind the eye, and both have some extent of
red on the bill. Their metallic chipping song also helps identify them from
similar species. *
*Arizmendi, M. d. C., C. I. Rodríguez-Flores, C. A. Soberanes-González, and T. S. Schulenberg (2015). White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.whehum.01
Name: BUSHY CRESTED JAY (R) Scientific name: Cyanocorax melanocyaneus Name in Spanish: Shara Centro Americana
Description:
The
Bushy-crested Jay is one of four species of black-and-blue jays found in
Central America. It is the only one of these four species with black tarsi and
bluish underparts. This species lives in Guatemala, El Salvador,
Honduras, and northern Nicaragua, a distribution which does not overlap with
that of any of the other blue-and-black jays. This adaptable jay lives in
many kinds of forests and disturbed habitats, such as coffee plantations.
Bushy-crested Jays lives in family groups up to 15-20 individuals and eat
insects, seeds, and fruit. The entire flock helps to rear three to six eggs in
a twig nest. *
*Molfetto, D. (2010). Bushy-crested Jay (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.bucjay1.01
Name: INCA DOVE (R) Scientific name: Columbina Inca Name in Spanish: Tortolita
Description:
A small dove of Mexico, northern Central America, and the
southwestern United States, the Inca Dove has extended its range both north and
south over the past 100 years. A conspicuous urban resident, it commonly occurs
at bird feeders and on lawns and other short grass habitats. This species was
originally confined to arid habitats, and its affinity to human dwellings was
attributed to the easy availability of water. It continues to spread into
wetter areas, retaining its attachment to towns and cities for no obvious reason.
*
Name: RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (R) Scientific name. Columbina Talpacoti Name in Spanish: Columbina colorada
Description:
Ruddy Ground-Doves are appropriately named after the bright
ruddy-colored plumage of the male, which makes them distinctive from males of
other ground-doves. There are four subspecies ranging from northern Mexico
south to eastern Peru and northern Argentina. Some geographic variation in
plumage occurs with individuals in drier western areas being paler than those
in wetter eastern areas. Given their flexibility in habitat use and rapid reproduction,
Ruddy Ground-Doves are common throughout their range and are in the lowest
threat category recognized by Bird Life International. *
*Hart, J. A. (2011). Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.rugdov.01
Name: GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (R) Scientific Name: Colaptes rubiginosus Name in Spanish: Pájaro carpintero dorado
Description:
The Golden-olive Woodpecker is one of the most geographically
widespread woodpeckers of the Neotropical region. It ranges through a wide
variety of wooded habitats and over much of Middle America, from eastern Mexico
just south of the US border to western Panama, and over much of highland
northern and western South America. Given this broad range, it is perhaps
unsurprising that some authors recognize up to 19 different subspecies. *
Name: SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (R) Scientific name: Myiozetetes similis Name in Spanish: Mosquero social
Description:
Social Flycatcher is a widespread and familiar member of the
avifauna throughout much of the Neotropics. It can be quite common near water
in forest and edge habitats ranging from northern Argentina north to Mexico. Like
other stocky yellow, black and white flycatchers, Social Flycatcher is medium
sized with brown upperparts and tail, a short, decurved bill, bold black and
white striped head, and yellow underparts that run from the white throat to the
undertail coverts. The species is easily detected, sits out in the open and
gives loud, harsh and sometimes chattering calls. *
Name: BLUE HEADED VIREO (M) Scientific name: Vireo solitarius Name in Spanish: Vireo solitario
Description
This vireo is common in summer in mixed forest, where conifers
and deciduous trees grow together. When feeding, it works rather deliberately
along branches, searching for insects. Its nest, a bulky cup suspended in the
fork of a twig, is often easy to find. This bird was formerly lumped with the
western Plumbeous and Cassin’s vireos under the name Solitary Vireo.
Name: RED-EYED VIREO (M) Scientific name: Vireo Olivaceus Name in Spanish: Vireo de ojos rojos
Description:
One of the most numerous summer birds in eastern woods. It is
not the most often seen, because it tends to stay out of sight in the leafy
treetops, searching methodically among the foliage for insects.
Migrates mostly at night. Peak migration periods in most areas
are May and September. Those breeding in Northwest apparently move east in fall
before turning south. *
Name: WARLBING VIREO (M) Scientific name: Vireo Gilvus Name in Spanish: Chipe vireo o gorgoreador
Description:
The Warbling Vireo is a common summer bird in leafy groves and open woods from coast to coast. Because it avoids solid tracts of mature, unbroken forest, it is probably more common and widespread today than it was when the Pilgrims landed.
Migrates mostly at night. Most eastern breeders apparently
travel north and south via Texas and Mexico, rather than flying across Gulf of Mexico. *
Name: YELLOW-WINGED TANAGER (M) Scientific name: Thraupis abbas Name in Spanish: Tángara aliamarilla
Description:
This species and the Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)
are the northernmost representatives of the genus Thraupis; both
reach well into northeast Mexico, but whereas the Blue-gray Tanager is also
widespread in South America, Yellow-winged Tanager reaches its southern
terminus in Nicaragua, although there are recent records from northernmost
Costa Rica. The species is easily identified by its largely bluish to dusky
plumage, relieved principally by the bright yellow blaze at the base of the
remiges. Like other Thraupis species, it is usually found at
edges and in semi-open areas, and it is rather sociable, being occasionally
reported in flocks numbering up to 50 or more individuals. It ranges to at
least 1800 m on the Atlantic slope. *
Name: WESTERN TANAGER (M) Scientific name: Piranga Ludoviciana Name in Spanish: Tángara aliblanca
A western counterpart to the Scarlet Tanager, this species
occurs in summer farther north than any other tanager — far up into
northwestern Canada. Western Tanagers nest in coniferous forests of the north
and the high mountains, but during migration they may show up in any habitat,
including grassland and desert; the bright males often draw attention by
pausing in suburban yards in late spring.
Migration: Protracted migration lasts late in spring and begins
early in fall, with some birds seen away from breeding areas as late as
mid-June and as early as mid-July*
Name: NASVILLE WARBLER (M) Scientific name: Oreothlypis ruficapilla Name in Spanish: Reinita o chipe de cabeza gris
Description:
Pioneer birdman Alexander Wilson encountered this bird first
near Nashville, Tennessee, and it has been called Nashville Warbler ever since
— even though Wilson’s birds were just passing through in migration, and the
species does not nest anywhere near Tennessee. This small warbler is common in
both the east and the west, often seen foraging in thickets and young trees,
flicking its short tail frequently as it seeks insects among the foliage.
Migration
Birds from both eastern and western breeding populations winter
mainly in Mexico. Unlike many warblers, does not migrate north across Gulf of
Mexico in spring; instead, travels around Gulf, then spreads northeastward to
easternmost breeding areas.
Name: RUFOUS SABREWING (R) Scientific name; Campylotepterys Rufus Name in Spanish: Fandanguero rufo
Rufous Sabrewing is restricted to the highlands of northern
Central America where it is most abundant above 1300 meters. It frequents the
interior and edge of rainforests, and is also found in plantations, partially
wooded canyons, and humid pine-oak forests. These hummingbirds are most active
at lower levels, especially in the dense understory and in partially open
areas. Both sexes are similar and possess cinnamon colored underparts
*Arizmendi, M. d. C., C. I. Rodríguez-Flores, C. A. Soberanes-González, and T. S. Schulenberg (2013). Rufous Sabrewing (Campylopterus rufus), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.rufsab1.01
Name: AZURE-CROWNED HUMMINGBIRD (R) Scientific name: Amazilia Cyanocephala Name in Spanish: Colibri coroniazul
Description:
Azure-crowned Hummingbird is a common species throughout many
forested habitats from Mexico south to Nicaragua. Even though this hummingbird
occupies a wide variety of habitats, in both pine and broadleaf forests from
sea level up into the mountains, specific factors limiting the range of the
species have not been satisfactorily identified.; generally, this species is
blue crowned with a greenish iridescent hindneck, white throat, brownish back
and wings, and a thin, red bill with a dark tip. Azure-crowned Hummingbird
usually announces its presence with a series of sharp “chup” notes*
*Arizmendi, M. d. C., C. I. Rodríguez-Flores, C. A. Soberanes-González, T. Johnson, and T. S. Schulenberg (2013). Azure-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanocephala), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.azchum1.01
Name: THE GREAT KISKADEE (R) Scientific name: Pitangus sulpuratus Name in Spanish: Luis grande
Description:
The Great Kiskadee is a large and strikingly colored
flycatcher that inhabits much of Central and South America. It has a black
crown with a yellow coronal patch and a broad white supercilium that
extends from its forehead to its nape. The kiskadee’s olive-brown wings
are set off by cinnamon wing coverts and bright yellow underparts. Great
Kiskadees reside in a variety of habitats from forest edges to grasslands to
busy residential areas. These birds can often be seen hawking insects
from an open perch or dropping to the ground feeding on insects and small reptiles.
Name: MELODIOUS BLACK BIRD (R) Scientific name: Dives Dives Name in Spanish: Zanate Cantor
Description:
The Melodious Blackbird is a rather unique and vociferous all
black icterid of Mexico and Central America. It has a relatively thick and long
bill, but most noticeable is that the legs and feet look a size too big on this
mid-sized blackbird. Pairs appear to be year-round territorial and they likely
keep their pair bond for multiple seasons. Melodious Blackbirds pairs perform a
unique duetting display where they sing to each other while bobbing up and down
as if doing push-ups. The most distinct and easy to recognize note in their
song display is a loud “Whit –Tcheeewwww!” that reminds one of a call of
a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), although much louder and
more emphatic.
Name: RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (R) Scientific name: Zonotrichia Capensis Name in Spanish: Coronadito,
The Rufous-collard Sparrow is a ubiquitous resident of lowland
and montane scrub from Mexico south to Tierra del Fuego. Rufous-collared
Sparrows have a gray head with two broad black crown stripes and a blackish
line through the eye, prominent rufous collar, rufescent upperparts streaked
black and white underparts with black patches on either side of the
chest. The sparrows are very tolerant to human presence and are a
common sight in settlements across South America.
Rufous-collard Sparrows are often encountered hopping on open
ground as they forage for seeds and insects or singing from a
prominent perch on a shrub or rock*
Name: NORTHERN FLICKER(R) Scientific name. Colaptes auratus Name in Spanish: Carpintero escapulario
Description:
The Northern Flicker is a common, primarily ground-foraging
woodpecker that occurs in most wooded regions of North America. Its taxonomic
status has been debated because of hybridization among subspecies groups, each
readily distinguished by plumage coloration. Two other subspecies of the Northern Flicker
are allopatric; the Cuban Flicker (C. a. chrysocaulosus) occurs on Cuba and
Grand Cayman Island, and the Guatemalan Flicker (C. a. mexicanoides) occurs in
the highlands of southern Mexico south to northwestern Nicaragua.
Name: RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (R) Scientific name: Cyclarhis gujanensis Name in Spanish: Vireo cejirrufo
Description:
The Rufous-browed Peppershrike is one of the largest species of
the vireo. It inhabits a wide range of open and semi-open habitats throughout
tropical and subtropical Central and South America.
The song is equally as variable but is generally a series of
rich musical phrases that is repeated seemingly without end.
Name: WHITE-WINGED DOVE (R) Scientific name: Zenaida asiatica Name in Spanish: Paloma aliblanca
Description:
This large, semitropical dove ranges from the southernmost U.S.
and Mexico (where it is partially migratory) south through Central America and
much of the West Indies. The majority of White-winged Doves are seasonally
migratory. They overwinter in Mexico and Central America and come to the
southwestern United States and northern Mexico in April to breed, departing
again in September. *
Name: BLACK-VENTED ORIOLE (R) Scientific name: Icterus wagleri Name in Spanish: Bolsero de Wagler
Description:
The Black-vented Oriole is widespread in Middle America, between
western and central Mexico south to Nicaragua; it inhabits open woodland and
scrubby areas, from sea level to 2500 m at least. This species is typically
found in pairs, which remain together year-round, and sometimes in small groups,
but it is rarely conspicuous*.
Name: MORELET´S CINNAMON-RUMPED SEEDEATER (R) Scientific name: Sporophila moreletti/torqueola Name in Spanish: Semillero collarejo
Description:
The White-collared Seedeater is identifiable by the broad white collar, white rump, and black hood. The species occurs from southern Texas south to the western Panama and is the only member of the widespread genus Sporophila that is confined solely to Mexico and Central America. There are four subspecies of White-collared Seedeater, and the species is split into two species by some authorities. *
*Adel, F., K. J. Burns, J. C. Eitniear, and T. S. Schulenberg (2010). Morelet’s/Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater (Sporophila morelleti/torqueola), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.whcsee.01
Name: PAINTED REDSTART (R) Scientific name: Myoborus pictus Name in Spanish: Pavito aliblanco
Description:
The Painted Redstart is among the most attractive and festive
looking of all Parulids. It is largely black, but shows a large white wing
patch, extensive white on the outside of the tail, a bright red belly and a
surprisingly noticeable white crescent below the eye. It is a bird of Pine-Oak
forests found as far north as the Southwest of the United States, south to
northernmost Nicaragua. *
Name: BLUE-AND-WHITE-MOCKINGBIRD (R) Scientific name: Melanotis hypoleucus Name in Spanish: Censontle pechiblanco
Description:
A highly distinctive bird within its relatively small range, the
strikingly long-tailed Blue-and-white Mockingbird is just that. The entire
upperparts are deep blue, except for the black mask, while below the bird is
all white, except for the blue gray flanks and vent. *
*Soberanes-González, C. A., C. I. Rodríguez-Flores, M. d. C. Arizmendi, G. M. Kirwan, and T. S. Schulenberg (2013). Blue-and-white Mockingbird (Melanotis hypoleucus), version 1.0. In Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/nb.bawmoc1.01
Name: HOUSE WREN (R) Scientific name: Troglodytes aedon Name in Spanish: Saltapared sureño
Description:
Looking at the distribution of the House Wren it is easily one
of the most widely distributed of all New World songbirds. However, the truth
is certainly much more complex. In the past this species has been separated
into three groups, with the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico being a division
line between two of these, the southern and northern House Wrens. There has not
been a modern genetic study of this species, but surely the reality of how many
species level units are in the House Wren complex will be much more complicated.
*
You
may or may not have seen them, but in Guatemala piñatas are a strong tradition;
a must have for every birthday party, especially for children. Piñatas are among the most important part of
the celebration.
If
you host a “piñata” you better stuff it with candies, lollipops, chocolates,
plastic toys, and you can add money if you like! Otherwise you will be highly unpopular with
the children and their parents.
For
a birthday party, all the participants wait for their turn to hit the piñata
with a wooden stick. The first shot is
for the birthday boy or girl. Their eyes
are covered, with the idea of making it difficult to break the piñata so that
the rest of the kids have a chance to hit it.
After the poor piñata is crushed, all the candies and lollipops fall on
the floor and children jump to collect them. It is funny and crazy when mothers
help their children to collect the candies!
They also lay on the floor!
Prepare your camera, it is freaking hilarious!
How it all started?
The
Merchant, Marco Polo, traveled from Italy to China, where he witnessed a very
special celebration during the Chinese New Year. The population used to break a clay pot
covered with paper in many colors, as part of the festivities!
Marco
Polo liked it so much, that he imported this tradition to Italy. The Italians called it “pignatta”, which
means “pot”. Of course, they changed
the date and meaning, and they started to break the pignatta during the Roman
Catholic Easter holiday that is a period of fasting and prayer, called Lent (Cuaresma). This is a solemn religious observance
in the Christian liturgical calendar begins on Ash Wednesday and
ends before Easter Sunday
or the last day of the Holy Week. The
Catholics in Italy used to break the piñata during this period as a symbol of
breaking from sin. In Guatemala we don’t
break piñatas during the Lent.
How they ended up in America?
The
pignatta traveled to Spain as part of the Catholic tradition during
Easter. Spanish priests that came with
the conquerors, brought this tradition to the Americas. But instead, they made the piñata clay pot as
a star with 7 sides, replacing it as a symbol of the 7 capital sins. It is at this time that they started to stuff
the clay pot with sweets. The spiritual
connotation was that when we break from the 7 sins, gifts are falling from
heaven.
Piñatas
were made of clay and they are still made in Mexico in the same way. In Mexico, they also use the star piñata
during the “Posadas”, celebrated before Christmas. Posada is a Pilgrimage procession of Joseph
and Mary looking for a shelter, going every night from home to home hoping to
find a place to rest and wait for the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. Every house hosting Joseph and Mary organize
a prayer ritual, sing Christmas songs with the guests, and prepare snacks for
the participants of the procession. The last posada happens one night before
the Christmas celebration.
In
Guatemala, we have the same “Posada” tradition around Christmas Celebrations,
but without a piñata. However, we do use
a piñata with the form of the devil during the 7th of December
celebration called “Burn the Devil Day”.
Oh yes, we burn the piñata, but we stuff it with fireworks instead of
candies! This tradition of burning the
devil comes from the colonial times but we started using a devil piñata at from
early 90´s. Before we used to collect
dry wood and leaves called “Chiribisco”, to burn it.
Every 7th of December, at 6pm It is
a preparation to clean the houses from bad elements and burn them in fire, in
order to be spiritually ready before the “Immaculate Conception” day on the 8th
of December. The best place to enjoy the
festivities around those days is in Ciudad Vieja, near Antigua, Guatemala. Antigua, Guatemala, is also famous for
burning a giant devil piñata. The locals
and tourists also go around the fire at 6 pm.
On the Burn the devil day, is when Christmas festivities begin in our
country.
The revolution of the piñatas
During
the 70’s, the way of making pinatas in our country, has changed. Now they are made without a clay pot, but by
shaping wires and covering them with colorful paper. They are mainly copying cartoon characters
from popular TV shows or movies, and crazy politicians! People use customized piñatas also as a form
of protest in demonstrations. For
example, if you want to protest corruption, you make a piñata in the form of a
rat!
If
you wish to visit the place where these funny piñatas are made, the artisans
are based around Parque Colon in zone 1, not too far away from Central
Market.
A
meal we eat during Día de los Muertos, (Day of the Dead), in Guatemala, has a
lot of meaning in our culture. Called Fiambre, it creates a magical bond between
the living and the ancestors. It is a sacred food that symbolizes this bond. Rituals
and sacrifices honoring the dead, were popular in pre-Hispanic times, the
symbolic meal offered to the deceased in Mesoamerica were celebrated in the
month of July when the Mayan New Year began.
This
commemoration was lost but it reappeared in the sixteenth century, already
syncretized with the catholic traditions, when the Spanish arrived, back in the
colonial Guatemala, they celebrated all Saint´s day with special meals cold meats
and vegetables, that were cooked with culinary techniques that they inherited
from the time of the Arab occupation of Spain.
With
the process of mixing the indigenous culture with that of the Europeans and bringing
together cultural and religious elements, the colonial Guatemalan population of
the late sixteenth century, created that magical dish, The Fiambre. It is served
cold and enjoyed on November 1 and 2 in celebration of the All Saints’ Day,
together with the Day of the Dead, to close the cycle of festivities.
This
dish is mentioned in conventual recipes of the early seventeenth century and in
the chronicles of Tomas Gage between 1625 and 1638. The Fiambre meal is a
symbolic and exquisite food for its baroque style and cooking methods. It expresses
cultural heritage, the world view and the way of seeing the Guatemalan world
made up of Spanish, Mestizo and Maya influences. It is truly a representative
element of multi-culturalism in our country.
By
preparing Fiambre, we are putting together the multi-ethnic identity of the
Guatemalan: The use of local vegetables and seasoning that are Mayan, thus of
pre-Hispanic heritage: the use of different types of meats and sausages of
Spanish descent and the use of cheeses, capers, artichokes, olives and other
spices from the Arab influence, and as a
special touch, it hides the culinary secrets of the Guatemalan cooks (or Guatemalan kitchen)
This meal is prepared for the Day of the Dead, relatives together with the closest friends of the “finados”, (dead) are taking the fiambre, to the “Campo Santo” (Cemetery) and share between the them. It is tradition to spend the 1st. of November together in the cemetery and bring flowers, offerings and serenades to their death relatives and friends.
Photo by Chef Claudia Artola
During
the celebration, all cultural elements are mingled together, such as the use of
water, fire and vegetables. According to
pre-Hispanic beliefs, this mingling is expressed as water carried to the
deceased, smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol in the “Campo Santo”, preparing meals
and use all these elements as offering to the deceased, and presenting it on
top of their graves. In some places the
sky becomes filled with color as people fly giant kites as symbol of connection
with the deceased, like the famous Sumpango Kites or Santiago Sacatepéquez kites,
Thus,
Guatemalan Fiambre begins as an offering and sacrificial food as well as a
means of communication with the ancestors. (for the Catholics, the Day of the Dead
is a day of prayers, for those who are waiting in the purgatory for redemption)
The
preparation of the Fiambre’s cold cuts is an activity that bring families
together and this is how the tradition is passing from generation to
generation, that occurs during preparation when cutting vegetables, sausages
and other ingredients. Guatemala has different types of cold cuts according to
the regions or culinary variants of the cooks.
The
Fiambre is an ancestral heritage and not an improvisation of some nuns or cooks
as was previously speculated. This dish is one of the most important meals the
country has brought to the world, probably one of the most exquisite in Latin
America for its unique form of creativity, demonstrated by the incorporation of
products so different to the palate and of such diverse origins.
The
Fiambre is a sort of salad, that has more than 50 ingredients, depending on the
region where is prepared. It has a mix
of vegetables, cold meats, artichokes, capers, pickles, cheese, etc. seasoned
with vinegar, olive oil and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, etc,
Colorful,
tasty, unique. Fiambre is the intangible
patrimony of Guatemala. There is nowhere
else in the world where you can taste this dish.
PRICES are shown in USD for easy reference and may vary depending on exchange rate of the day. Same apply to prices in Euro. Prices in quetzals are fixed. V.A.T. included.
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