CHAPINADAS

A big number of Rural communities are organizing to offer their ecological, cultural and Socioeconomic resources as a turistic destination.  In a community based turism, visitors take advantage not only of the wild areas but also learn about way of life and costums of small communities.  The turists get to know about the folclor and local costums and the inhabitants of the area benefit  economically. 

One example of this is the community of Saquija in Santa Maria Cahabon located in Alta Verapaz.  This community offers as its main attractive the practice of white water rafting in the waters of Cahabon River.  The first thing that visitors enjoy when getting there is a delicious breakfast and the costumary cacao beverage.  After that they visit plantations of cacao, corn and cardamomo where they can enjoy of cak-ik, tamales and sometimes boj which is a local beverage.

Ricardo Arjona with his album "Adentro" won the Grammy for Best Pop Latin Album in the Staples Center of Los Angeles.  This Grammy, the first Grammy ever won by a Guatemalan singer confirms the success of this Guatemalan Artist.  His album "Adentro" was also awarded on November 2006 as the Best Male Pop Vocal Album on the Grammy for Latin Music.  Congratulations Ricardo Arjona and keep them coming.

The Garifunas or "Black Carib" have survived legal and geographic barriers for over 200 years but after the signing of the Peace Agreement they have claimed their place as a musical and turistic gem in Guatemala.  New turistic interests of the international community like rescuing nature, visiting exotic places and ethnical curiosity have made this community located in Atlantic Coast of Central America the prefered destination of choice. Two of the foundations of the Garifuna people are its music known as "Punta" that combines sensuality and eroticism and its african amerindian roots.

The Guatemalan Garifuna population shares its origins with their neighbors of Belice, Honduras and Nicaragua.  Garifunas live from artesanal fishing and ecoturism.  Livingston, Izabal is visited by many turists attracted to the rythms of the Garifuna music and their rich culture.  The Garifuna people have a defined geographic space, their own language and culture but it was until the signing of the Peace Agreement in 1996 when they started gaining legal space even though they were recognized as and entity in the middle of the 1980’s.

The Gariguna presence in Livingston, Izabal started in the XVIII century when groups of black slaves escaped persecution of the English colonies on the islands.  Their language is a combination of the Arawak and Kalipuna.  The Garifunas were recognized by United Nations for Science and Education as a masterpiece of the Oral Language for humanity.

Dona Flora is the name of a traditional candy factory in Huehuetenango.  Dona Flora was awarded last year with the "Order of the Cuchumatanes" in recognition of its commercial labor and most of all because it put the Huehuetenango name up high in a national and international level.  One of the main characteristics of the candy is that it is made using manual craftmanship.  According to the founders of Dona Flora, the way the candy is made gives the company that special touch.  All of their candy is made in the oven. 
Almost 80 years ago, Efrain Lopez and his wife had the idea of making a product that was able to identify Los Cuchumatanes and that at the same time the visitors could take with them the special flavor of candy made in the oven.  Some of the ingredients used in preparing the candy are flour, honey, mermelade, sugar, eggs and fresh fruit.  Every day 1,300 units of every one of the 17 varieties of candy are made.     

Livingston has a population of 53,653 inhabitants according to a census taken in 2002.  According to the census, the different groups are divided as follows:  9% garifuna and the rest is divided between ladinos, quekchies and hindus.  Livingston celebrates every november 26th as the National Day of the Garifuna People. 

Livingston is characterized because of its paradise-like attributes due to its location in front the the Caribbean.  It has a happy and entertaining population that receives all the national and international visitors with a smile.  According to historians, Livingston was founded by Marcos Sanches in 1802 but it was not until november 26th 1831 that it received its name in honor of US legislator Eduardo Livingston.

Livingston main attractive is its location, where Rio Dulce joins the Atlantic and forming the incredible beaches of the place.  For many turists, Livingston is an enchanting place so much so that they decide to stay and live in the place because it is very quiet during the day and has a lot of nocturnal life.  Livingston is located a few hours of Puerto Barrios.  The Garifunas came to Livingston from the Island of Roatan in Honduras and thier language has roots from arawako, english, french and spanish.

Guatemalan Singer and Songwriter Ricardo Arjona won the Grammy award for best male album in vocal pop with his new album "Adentro".  The award was presented in a ceremony in the city of New York.  Arjona was also nominated in three other categories.  The streets around Madison Gardens were paralized by thousands of fans hoping to see the music stars of the latin music.  This was the first time that the Latin Grammys took place in New York.  Congratulations Ricardo and keep up the good work. 

Guatemalan Singer/songwriter Ricardo ARjona said goodbye yesterday to Argentina.  He just finished a succesful tour in Argentina where around 270000 fans had the opportunity of hear his music.  Arjona sang songs from his las album "Adentro" and had a deep impact with the people in his corcerts.  He had such a deep impact in Argentina that he surpassed the records established by popular bands such as The Rolling Stones and U2.  It is nice to hear about the success this song writer/singer from Guatemala has achieved.  I remember when he started singing and I also remember when unfortunately he had to leave Guatemala to continue with his music.  Thank you Arjona for putting Guatemala’s name in the front pages. 

Oscar Fernando Valizon Coronado es un joven de el departamento de Alta Verapaz que tiene bastante potencial para llegar lejos en el deporte de Pesas.  Este potencial a sido mostrado una vez mas en el campeonato panamericano de pesas realizado en Ecuador el fin de semana.  Fernando Valdizon participo en la categoria de 62 kilos en donde se corono campeon panamericano.  El obtuvo tres medallas de oro en este campeonato.  En este campeonato sub-17, Oscar Valdizon arraso con las medallas en su categoria pues se impuso en arranque, envion y total.

Una vez mas, sus triunfos confirman el potencial de este joven cobanero y prometen mas triunfos en este deporte.  El esta tratando de seguir en las huellas de su tio Luis Coronado que fue medallista en el ciclo olimpico.  Durante este ano de 2006, este joven pesista se a projectado internacionalmente pues compitio en los Juegos Centroamericanos, en los Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe y en el Panamericano Juvenil en Ecuador.  Tambien participara pronto en el Mundial de pesas que se realizara en la Republica Dominicana.  Este joven dice que su meta en estos momentos es entrar a competir con las potencias de America.  Esperemos de que se le de todo el apoyo necesario para conseguir sus metas y que siga poniendo el nombre de Guatemala en alto.  Felicitaciones Oscar Valdizon.

Jennifer Gonzales is a young Guatemalan wrestler, who has just won a bronze medal in the World Youth Wrestling championship in the 44 kg. category.  The bruises and other marks are starting to show but they are not able to stop Jennifer from smiling.  Last thursday, she got 3rd place in the World youth Wrestling Championship.  This is the first medal Guatemala obtains in a World Youth Championship.

Last year Jennifer participated in the Youth Panamerican Games in Venezuela, where she won the gold Medal.  In the Panamerican games she also won the bronze medal.  She says that everything is a dream come true.  Everything is going ok for her due the support of her family, her trainers and her training.  Jennifer is hoping to participate in the World Championship at the end of this month in China.  Congratulations Jennifer and keep up the good work.

Guatemala, by means of Euda Carias, got a third bronze medal in the World University Games in Valencia, Spain.  Euda Carias practices Taekwondo and has always been able to put Guatemala’s name high in this discipline.  With this medal, Carias joins Paulina Morataya and Luis Donis who won medals in California in 2002.  Euda Carias has impressive achivements under her belt.  Some of them are:

-Iberoamerican champion in 2005.
-Bronze medal in Panamerican Games in 2003
-Fifth place in Olympic Games, 2004
-Bronze in Youth World Championship in 2000.

Keep it up Euda, thank you for putting Guatemala’s name in the map.  I hope that you are an example for our youth.