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School bands and parades were the norm to celebrate Independence Day before the December 29 signing of The Guatemalan Peace Accords of 1996, which put an end to Guatemala’s 36-year civil war since the CIA-orchestrated overthrow of the democratic reformist government of Jacobo Arbenz in 1954 (read more…). School parades with their martial music bands were thought to be a remainder of the war and they were discontinued after the signing of the peace accords. This was the spark for the birth of another patriotic manifestation around Independence Day; and a very interesting one: Marathons. Of course, Guatemalans have a short memory and by the turn of the new Millennium student bands and parades were back, except now they were “free” to play any kind of music, from disco to cumbia.

In yesterday’s entry I mentioned all the activities that Guatemalans do to commemorate their Independence Day. Today, I rather go visual and share with you two slide shows and a video clip of the hauling down of the Guatemalan Flag, which marks the end of the Independence Day Celebrations.

Have a happy Guatemala’s Independence Day everyone!

Hauling Down of the Guatemalan Flag

2006 Independence Day: Slideshow

2007 Independence Day: Slideshow

So, what kind activities are done in Guatemala to celebrate Independence Day?

Most people in Guatemala often say that Guatemalans are not very “patriotic” and immediately mention how patriotic the Mexicans really are: “that’s really patriotism!” Having said that, you can begin to see the first glances of Independence Day activities back in July, or earlier, with student bands practices (#1). Of course, there is plenty of Independence Day bunting everywhere since the first days of September and a lot of street vendors selling flags in all shades of blue, even though only one blue is the official (#2). One week before September 15, there are student parades from pre-primary to high school on the streets of every town in the country (#3). Don’t forget the marathons with their patriotic torches(#4). In every school, government building and town’s main plaza there are Pledges of Alliance to the Flag, although here we call it Juramiento a la bandera, and the singing of Guatemala’s National Anthem recitals; check out last year’s Libre al viento tu hermosa bandera to read Guatemala’s National Anthem in English (#5). In some towns, there are enactments of the Signing of Independence Act (#6). On September 15th, at 6 p.m. all over main squares and central parks of Guatemala there is a civic act known as La arriada de la bandera, Haul down of the flag (#7). There are, of course, speeches remembering the signing of the Independence Act and how many years has been thus far (188) since 1821 (#8). Last but not least, the burning of firecracker bombs, firecrackers and fireworks, which may include Torito firecracker burnings (#9). I am certain that I am forgetting something. Please, feel free to tell me what I missed in the comments.

That’s what Guatemalans, who are not very “patriotic”, do to celebrate their Independence Day. So, do you still consider Guatemalans as unpatriotic?

On September 14 10, people from all over the country begin a marathon to go to another part of the country to get the fire for the Independence Torch in their communities. There are many places the have a torch where other people from other towns can light up their torch to bring back to their own communities. Of course, there are favorite destinations to go and get the Independence Flame and La Antigua Guatemala is one such destination. There are different torches in different locations throughout Guatemala and their respective marathons build a web of people running in all kinds directions at the same time. It is traffic nightmare and it is better to stay home on those date, unless, of course, you are running for your community to fetch the light for your torch.

How do you celebrate Independence Day in your part of the world? Or do you even have such a celebration?

Getting everything ready for Independence Day Celebrations. This torch will light the Independence fire torches from all over Guatemala. These Independence torches will be carried in marathons so that Fire of Independence arrives to all the corners of Guatemala on time before September 15.

I don’t think the Guatemalan flag has any issues with being light; on the contrary, I believe the flag enjoys the caresses of the Independence winds blowing through September in Guatemala.

We humans, however, we really muddle ourselves with all kinds of fixations, preoccupations and obsessions like dates. I bring this to light today because it is the anniversary of my birth. Just two days ago it was the 9 day of the 9 month of 9 year of the new millennium, 999 in short writing. Nowadays, many people abbreviate as 911 to refer to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. In Twitter some friends asked what was the significance of 999, if there were any, really. I said that I like repetitions, that’s all, because most calendars were arbitrary anyway, except perhaps for the Mayan calendar, and more specifically the Mayan Long Count calendar.

The Maya is a civilization really preoccupied with the unbearable lightness of being and masochistic on top of it all by keeping a long count which shows how insignificant we really are.

Rudy, you are really losing us here, I hear you say. Well, let me explain, the Maya kept two running calendars: a 260-day calendar known as the Tzolk’in and a 365-day calendar known as the Haab; combined the two calendars were good enough to specifically mark any day in 52 Haabs (years); more than enough to cover the average life expectancy of the time. Additionally, the Maya kept (or keep) the Long Count calendar which is divided as tuns (years), 20 tuns made a katun, and 20 katuns (144,000 days) made a baktun. The number “13″ was (is) very sacred to the Maya and so 13 baktuns would have been of the utmost significance to the Maya. So it just so happens that 13 baktuns will have elapsed in December 21 or 23, 2012. By the way, we have presidential elections in 2012.

Big deal, I hear you say, all calendar dates are arbitrary. I agree with you, except once again the Maya just didn’t to calendar stuff arbitrarily. See, December 21, 2012 corresponds with the winter solstice of 2012, at which there will be a Galactic Alignment. This is what Wikipedia has about it in the 2012 Phenomenon entry.

In the Solar System, the planets and the Sun share roughly the same plane of orbit, known as the plane of the ecliptic. From our perspective on Earth, the Zodiacal constellations move along or near the ecliptic, and over time, appear to recede counterclockwise by one degree every 72 years. This movement is attributed to a slight wobble in the Earth’s axis as it spins. As a result, approximately every 2160 years, the constellation visible on the early morning of the spring equinox changes. In Western astrological traditions, this signals the end of one astrological age (currently the Age of Pisces) and the beginning of another (Age of Aquarius). Over the course of 26,000 years, the precession of the equinoxes makes one full circuit around the ecliptic.

Just as the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere is currently in the constellation of Pisces, so the winter solstice is currently in the constellation of Sagittarius, which happens to be the constellation intersected by the galactic equator. Every year for the last 2000 years or so, on the winter solstice, the Earth, Sun and the galactic equator come into alignment, and every year, precession pushes the Sun’s position a little way further through the Milky Way’s band. Continue reading at Wikepedia…

So, after we have read about 2012, 13 baktuns, 999, 911, 1821 (see date below the flag above) you would agree that we humans have a maniac obsession with the unbearable lightness of being; don’t you?

Portfolio Aside: If you want to keep an eye on the different places where the photos from AntiguaDailyPhoto show up, take a look at the Portfolio page in the main menu above. Here are the two latest samples from the Portfolio page: the cover for Revue Magazine and a photo to illustrate the Sensuous Guatemala article about the Blue and White. As always, click the thumbnails to see a larger images.

So who’s fit to go on such a daredevil adventure of soaring like a bird? Antigua Canopy Tours assures that anyone from the age of five an older can go, provided the participant possesses a reasonably healthy physical condition. That means even toddlers and grandparents can “fly” if they’re brave enough. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or someone else responsible for their care. Children under 120 cm in height (about 47 in.) can “fly” while physically attached to a guide. That being said, Antigua Canopy Tours Manager Pascu Robredo broke the rules just a bit and sent his 2 ½ year-old daughter on a solo “flight.” How did she do? Check out the video below:

That wraps up the series on Antigua Canopy Tours. Again, a huge thanks to Rudy and Manager Pascu Robredo!

text by Laura McNamara and photo by Pascu Robredo

Antigua Canopy Tours isn’t just about the unique experience of gliding… it’s about gliding through a tropical rainforest or cloud forest canopy. It’s about experiencing nature in an unforgettable way.

Finca Filadelfia operates over a sprawling 750 acres, 660 of which are used for farming. One-fourth of the farm is strictly preserved as an ecological reserve area and another similar area is dedicated to reforestation programs. Ninety-six percent of the farmed land is protected by trees, creating a unique ecological habitat. This is important, the operation says, for growing their “cash crop:” coffee.

“The art of high quality coffee production demands a profound respect and understanding of the coffee plants and the ecosystems where it thrives. In order to produce the best coffee in the world, we must create a special ecosystem termed ‘agroecosystem’ where coffee can express its potential quality as well as preserve the environment.”

As a result, hundreds of birds can be found nesting within the grounds of Finca Filadelfia making it a prime location for bird watching. More than 130 different species of birds can be found on the farm, 30 of which are endemic species including exotic hummingbirds, jays, hawks, and cuckoos.

As part of the canopy tour, visitors will get to observe both flora and fauna at high altitudes, not to mention the excellent views of La Antigua Guatemala and surrounding communities: San Juan del Obispo, San Felipe de Jesús, Ciudad Vieja and other “aldeas.” Aside from coffee, I spotted olive trees, avocado trees, Gravileas and more on my tour. Needless to say, if you’re not up for darting through the trees like a bird the Forest Trail option is more than worth your while.

text and photo by Laura McNamara

“The three most important factors for the canopy tour are security, a family-oriented experience and promoting nature,” Antigua Canopy Tours Manager Pascu Robredo asserts.

And man do they take security seriously. Before obtaining permission to participate in the canopy adventure visitors are asked a series of questions about their health to ensure they are in suitable condition to “fly” among the treetops. Pregnant women, for example, are discouraged from participating. The adventure company asks for visitors to please advise their guides of any special health issues, incapacities, etc… such as heart problems, epilepsy, asthmatic problems and/or problems with equilibrium. Furthermore, each participant is required to sign a waiver before his/her “flights.”

The guides that lead visitors are trained in the specialized techniques required for helping the participants swing through the canopy, from one platform to the other. When visitors arrive at the first platform (see El Santuario) the guides give a thorough explanation of the correct way to soar: legs up, knees bent, rocking back slightly in your harness. With your stronger hand reach back behind your head and loosely form an “O” around the cable with your thumb and index finger. With your weaker hand grasp the lowest clip (attached to your harness) by reaching your index finger through the loop and wrapping the rest of your hand around the clip. Visitors remain connected to either a cable or a tree platform for the entire duration of the adventure in order to safeguard against falls or minor accidents of any kind. The guides, most of whom speak both Spanish and English, are also qualified in First Aid care, CPR and vertical rescue.

As mentioned in the Constructing a Canopy Course post, the tracks themselves are constructed with a double-cable that can hold five times more than the allotted weight. And again, only professional, internationally recognized equipment is used, such as PETZL and PMI.

Antigua Canopy Tours has an emergency protocol in place and the business conducts regular inspections of the maintenance of the track and the equipment used. I personally witnessed one of my guides “Tono” marking a permanently placed inspection sheet located on the course. All participants, visitors and guides alike, are required to wear a helmet while enjoying the canopy adventure. You can spot the guides by the red helmets they wear. Visitors wear white.

Visitors should consider the natural environment of the tour when dressing for the adventure. High heels are absolutely prohibited. Pants, a T-shirt and athletic shoes or secured sandals are recommended (flip flops are also prohibited). In case of rain, visitors are recommended to bring protective rain cover. Antigua Canopy Tours asks for participants to refrain from smoking while on the tour and advises visitors not to wear insect repellent to ensure their safety while secured to a harness.

Antigua Canopy Tours outlines several other requirements regarding physical fitness. Basically, you should be up for a slight, minimally strenuous hike. You might not want to go if you are one to seriously freak because of heights. A little apprehension is normal, but don’t go if you can’t chill on a tree-mounted platform that sits several meters from the ground. Nonetheless, Antigua Canopy Tours says a fear of heights is something their guides are prepared to mitigate. The adventure company assures that their canopy course is an exciting adventure that all must experience.

text and photos by Laura McNamara

“We could see the topography was just perfect,” Victor Gallo confidently asserted. Victor Gallo is the expert Antigua Canopy Tours hired to construct its professional and secure canopy zipline course. Gallo says the terrain is ripe with dense oak trees, which is crucial. Hardwood trees are an absolute necessity when constructing a canopy tour because the cables can and do place a considerable amount of stress on the trees: literally TONS of stress in fact.

Built as a double-cable course Gallo says the canopy adventure of Antigua Canopy Tours can hold up to 500 lbs, while still maintaining a safety margin of five to one. What that means is the system is five times stronger than the maximum weight (500 lbs). Gallo says each cable can support 25,000 lbs of tension – that’s 25 tons. So in order to remain within the five to one safety margin that means 5,000 lbs, or 5 tons, of tension can be safely applied to the system. Yet, on average, a person uses just 3,000 to 3,500 lbs (3 to 3.5 tons) of tension. The system, Gallo says, is well above the margin.

The extent of stress and tension used when visitors soar across the treetops is why hardwood trees are so critical for the operation. Oak and Holm oak are commonly used trees in canopy tours that are constructed at a higher altitude. Conacaste trees, also known as Elephant’s Ear, are commonly used for canopy courses in lower, tropical climates.

Gallo and his crew don’t bolt a cable to just any hardwood tree, however. After identifying several possible candidates in an ideal landing zone, Gallo calls in a dendrologist – a tree surgeon or tree specialist. By considering the size and volume of the tree and inspecting the condition of the tree’s roots, the dendrologist determines if a tree is suitable for use in the canopy tour circuit.

Next, the crew wired up the course with specialized, Vectran fiber cables (known for their strength and durability in high temperatures) in the Forest Express course. They use a 1/2 inch thick cable (for extra long tracks) in the Canyon Express course. Can you imagine how, exactly, canopy course riggers can string more than 500 meters of cable across a ravine? Gallo says he uses a crossbow. First, his crew will launch a thin line from the crossbow. Gallo said the longest track in the Antigua Canopy Tours course (520 meters) took about 15 shots. Then, after untangling the line from forest foliage when necessary and attaching it to the selected trees, Gallo’s team will use the thin line to pull a thicker, stronger line across the length of the track. Next, they use the thicker line to string up a heavier rope (about 11 mm in diameter). Finally, they use the heavy rope to pull across first one, then two strong cables that will be used for transporting visitors through the treetop adventure at Finca Filadelfia.

Gallo and his crew choose to bolt the cables to the tree versus wrapping them around the trunks like some other operations. Gallo explains that bolting the cable is better for a couple of reasons. First, he says, attaching the cable in this way is like giving the tree a piercing. In time, the tree will heal around the “piercing” with a scar-like response. However, Gallo says if a cable is wrapped around the trunk, it will eventually end up strangling the tree as it tries to grow and its trunk attempts to expand.

As a current member of the ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology), Gallo has more than 6 ½ years of experience of installing canopy courses through his company Adventure Playground. Plus, the El Salvador native (but Costa Rican resident) can boast many more years of climbing experience – he began climbing when he attended university in Colorado. His rigging work isn’t limited just to canopy and ropes courses though. Gallo has also constructed special rigging operations for various commercial and movie sets. Furthermore, the adventure ace owns his own bungee operation, Tropical Bungee, in Costa Rica. I think it’s safe to say that Gallo is quite the revered expert.

And, he acts like one. Gallo insists on stressing safety guidelines and standards when constructing his courses. He became a member of the ACCT five years ago and, with his expertise, he managed to spearhead the creation of a new committee within the association that was focused primarily on canopy courses. In January of this year, newer, more complete ACCT standards were created specifically for canopy tour operations. This was important, Gallo says, because “the idea of actually traveling through the forest is kind of a different one,” from what the association was used to considering. Canopy courses use much longer ziplines than challenge courses. And dismounting platforms did not previously exist with the smaller challenge course operations. Plus, Gallo says it’s important to have a set of standards with which to comply:

“Anybody can hook a cable to a tree without knowing what they’re doing, without knowing anything about angles and strengths,” Gallo said.

Gallo has experienced and constructed his fair share of canopy tours. One aspect of Antigua Canopy Tours that really stands out for him, though, is the UNIMOG. Both experiences compliment each other well the rigger said.

As far as the fear factor? Gallo says canopy tours can be fun for all ages and, he believes that most have already experienced something similar.

“I think everyone as a child has had a zipline experience in one way or another,” Gallo said. “Maybe a swing rope or something. And for people to travel up high through the forest and experience that feeling of flight through the canopy is really unique. What’s great is anybody can do it no matter age, size or physical condition.”

Canopy tours have been operating as an adventure course for tourists since 1997. So just what, exactly, prompted someone to think, ‘Hey! I’m going to string hundreds of meters of cable between two trees so I can glide over the forest!” Can you imagine being the very first to try? The idea was born when a Costa Rican biologist wanted to move about among the canopies of trees he was researching – sixty percent or more of tropical wildlife makes its home in the canopy. Thus, Donald Perry began building bridges and various cable routes that comprise what is called a Tyrolean Traverse. A canopy tour is constructed with a series of these very Tyrolean Traverses that are installed at a slight angle.

text by Laura McNamara and photos by Pascu Robredo

Platform One is where the “flying” begins. After a thorough explanation and demonstration of the special techniques required to properly enjoy the Antigua Canopy Tour, visitors launch into their first “flight” from what has been fondly referred to as “El Sanctuario.”

Antigua Canopy Tours Manager Pascu Robredo explains that the nickname refers to the quick utterance of whispered prayers as nervous participants anticipate dangling suspended from a cable in mid-air… for the first time. “Their adrenaline really starts pumping,” Robredo said with a slightly mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Oh so brave daredevil that I am, I didn’t even blink, when my two personal guides asked if I was ready to lock and load. As an irregular rock climber and cliff jumper, I saw this opportunity more as a totally “chulo” photo op. Not to mention, this was my second canopy tour experience. I can assuredly vouch that the long tracks of the Canyon Express circuit beat even the best track that I experienced in Omoa, Honduras. Not to mention, in Omoa, I got no such ride in a UNIMOG hog.

I’m pictured here at El Sanctuario with a group of experienced guides and guide trainees just before we take off for the days tour. Four new guides were finishing up their 20 days of training when I visited. On any given day there will be 5 or 6 guides ready to lead visitors on the sky-high adventure, though up to 8 guides may be needed on busy weekends.

Top row left to right: Erick González (guide), Marisol Marroquín (guide), Ariel Marroquín (trainee), Byron Gil (trainee), Laura McNamara, Hugo Ruíz (trainee), Yeny Díaz (guide) Bottom row left to right: Andrés Pinto (trainee), Carlos Antonio (guide).

text and photos by Laura McNamara

Just how daring are you? There are two zipline circuits offered by Antigua Canopy Tours. The first is Forest Express: six distinct zipline “flights” that send you plunging from platforms into tunnels of canopy foliage in spurts that last anywhere from 50 up to 220 meters in length. Each track is positioned at varying heights, offering participants different perspectives during their “flying” experience. The Forest Express circuit also includes an assisted rappel descent from a 12-meter high platform.

In addition to the Forest Express, Antigua Canopy Tours offers the more exhilarating supplementary circuit called Canyon Express. This circuit offers the particularly brave two more “flights” that span a whopping 430 and 520 meters across a forested canyon, offering a most unique birds-eye view of both the Finca Filadelfia coffee farm and Panchoy Valley. Graduates of this circuit can boast having dangled in mid-air more than 150 meters above the ground. While rather scary to watch, for me, the ride was quite refreshing. I was able to leisurely take-in the stunning spectacle of mountains, volcanoes and villages surrounding La Antigua Guatemala while a cool, fluttering breeze caressed my face. These are the tracks where you really do feel as if you are “flying.”

One unique aspect of this particular tour at Finca Filadelfia is its location in the topography of the terrain. Both circuits are constructed a level around 3,000 meters, where rainforest meets cloud forest. Rainforests are characterized by high rainfall and 40 to 75% of all species on Earth are considered indigenous to rainforests. At times, they are even referred to as “the world’s largest pharmacy” because of the large number of natural medicines discovered in rainforests. In contrast, cloud forests are defined by a nearly continual occurrence of low-level cloud cover at the canopy level of a forest or jungle. They can also be referred to as fog forests or even mossy forests because of the abundance of mosses.

If launching from platforms and taking off in air-borne “flights” just isn’t for you, not to stress. You can still take advantage of the UNIMOG ride and beautiful landscapes – not to mention prime photo ops of braver souls whizzing by on the canopy tour overhead – through a network of trails on the ground that echo the course of the canopy circuits zigzagging through the trees.

When I visited, the tour was currently enhancing its services by offering one additional zipline as an alternative to the assisted rappel descent. The track is brief but seems to offer a prize opportunity to capture your family and friends dangling from a zipline with a looming volcano in the background. In preparation for travelers that will begin visiting as part of cruise packages in October of this year, Antigua Canopy Tours is also currently constructing an on-site café, souvenir shop and restroom facility.

Since its opening in January of 2008, Antigua Canopy Tours has given wings to more than 10,000 visitors. You too can enjoy the experience:

A single circuit run through either Forest Express or Canyon Express is offered at the rate of $50 ($40 for national citizens and Central American residents). Kids can fly for $35.

Visitors can also opt for both circuits for $75 ($60 for national citizens and Central American residents). Children can enjoy both for $55.

If you’re keeping you feet planted on firm ground, you can tag along on the Forest Trail for $15 ($10 for national citizens and Central American residents).

Payment can be made with US dollar, Quetzales or by credit card. Antigua Canopy Tours uses an exchange rate of $1 US = Q8.25 at the time of writing.

text and photo by Laura McNamara

What a beast. The journey of “flying through the forest” with Antigua Canopy Tours begins with a ride in the unique UNIMOG, a vehicle made specifically for ascending mountains.

Aside from being quite fun to say, these military green monsters offer an enhanced riding experience because of their special design. UNIMOG Mercedes Benz off-road vehicles possess a notably high ground clearance – greater than that of a Humvee even – making the vehicles perfect for viewing the impressive landscapes of both Finca Filadelphia and the Panchoy Valley as canopy tour visitors wind their way up the mountain terrain. The UNIMOG’s flexible frame allows the vehicle to scale a rough mountain ascent with ease – these beasts roll over boulders up to one meter in height. During the ride, guides will accompany participants on the trip, explaining various aspects of the culture, history, plants and animals associated with the 750-acre farm.

UNIMOG is an acronym that represents “UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät,” Gerät being the German word for machine or device. The vehicle was first designed in Germany for use in agriculture in 1946, shortly after World War II. The permanent 4WD design with equally sized wheels allows the “tractor” to reach higher speeds than typical farm tractors on open roads. The big green beasts can be found in jungles, mountains and deserts and are used in military operations throughout the world. They are also popularly used as tourist transport for jungle ecotourism or safaris, such as the Antigua Canopy Tours operation. You can even find UNIMOG models competing in truck trials, including the Dakar Rally. Antigua Canopy Tours receives its UNIMOGS from the Danish Defense.

The UNIMOG is definitely eye-catching. When I was escorted back to my neighborhood in one of these bad boys after my canopy tour experience, several onlookers gave enthusiastic whistles and hoots and I couldn’t help but feeling a bit “righteously rugged.” Hehehe.

Check out this video of the UNIMOG from Antigua Canopy Tours:

text and photo by Laura McNamara

Dangling like a spider on a web, he slightly rocks back and forth in his harness as he awaits the “okay” to go. At the cue, he lifts his legs, bends his knees… and takes off, plunging into a tunnel of thick, forest foliage. A whirring sound follows in close pursuit as he soars above the sloping forest floor, suspended meters – at times more than 100 meters – above the ground. To onlookers below, he looks like nothing more than a fragile doll that is somehow managing to cling to a nearly invisible cable as he races across the treetops.

Do you want to be next? Antigua Canopy Tours wants to know who is the next brave soul that will dare to glide suspended over the forest at Finca Filadelfia. The adventure company describes the experience as “more than 500 meters of pure adrenaline only ten minutes from La Antigua Guatemala.”

Thanks to Rudy and Antigua Canopy Tours Manager Pascu Robredo, I was next. I got to experience what was, for me, a sensational rush through the treetops and rolling landscapes above the Panchoy Valley. Yeow!

This marks the first of a series of posts about the Finca Filadelfia canopy adventure, where I’ll fill you in on the Antigua Canopy Tour experience, facts of the canopy tour industry and even the man who made it all happen for antigueños and La Antigua Guatemala visitors alike.

First, a brief summary of what Antigua Canopy Tours is all about:

The adventure company describes itself as a family-oriented eco-tourism initiative that offers the brave and the willing the thrill of launching from treetop platforms and soaring across forested ravines and canyons. The course is located 3,000 meters into the rolling mountainscape of Finca Filadelfia, located in La Antigua Guatemala between San Felipe de Jesús y Jocotenango.

Visitors have the chance “fly” above La Antigua three times daily, Monday through Sunday, at 9am, 11am and 2pm. Each tour lasts about 3 hours and Antigua Canopy Tours offers free transportation from La Antigua. You can find the tour’s military green Unimog Mercedes monster vehicles in front of the Cathedral every hour beginning at 8:30am until 1:30pm.

Antigua Canopy Tours has two canopy circuits the Forest Express and Canopy Express that offer up to 8 zipline “flights,” sending participants gliding anywhere from 50 to 520 meters through the forest. Visitors do not need to have any prior experience and the tour is open to all ages provided they have a sound medical history.

The company promises its adventure course is very secure, complying with all international standards recommended by the ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology). Antigua Canopy Tours is insured and says it uses only the best equipment available, including internationally recognized brands such as Petzl and PMI.

You can find a preview of the adventure at Antigua Canopy Tours Youtube channel or by playing the Youtube video embedded below:

A quick video of my own experience will be available in a following post. (Pictured is canopy tour guide Carlos Antonio aka “Tono”)

text and photo by Laura McNamara

Back in April the Guatemalan government, following the lead taken by Colombia and Venezuela some years ago, issued the Ley de Transito-Motocicletas decreto 105-2009 (PDF file) which, simply stated, stipulates one person per motorbike.

At the time 6 out of every 10 murders in Guatemala were reportedly being carried out by gunmen on two wheels.

Bike owners were given exactly two months to equip themselves with a standard reflective waistcoat on the rear of which the registration number of their vehicle had to be clearly emblazoned. It also had to be stuck onto the back of their helmets — which for many must have meant acquiring this particular protective headgear for the first time.

For some, security’s (and safety’s) gain has been the economy’s loss, particularly the economy of families who liked to get around en masse on their moto. There have been huelgas de motociclistas (biker strikes) in various parts of the country and opponents of the new law can sign up for a Facebook cause called ‘Súbete a mi moto Guatemala‘ — Get on my bike Guatemala!

Now some of you may have noticed a patchier observance of this mandate here in La Antigua Guatemala. I’ve asked around and have been told that in fact, while the individualised helmet and waistcoats are still compulsory here, it is only in the eight administrative districts of Guatemala City that are you likely to attract the hefty Q1000 ($120) fine for carrying a passenger on your bike. I have to say I’m not entirely sure about this, and by the look of things I’m not alone.

This pic shows a pile of courier’s helmets at Domino’s Pizza just before closing time. One things for sure, the “30 minutos o gratis” decree is still very much in force here.

text and photo by Guy Howard.

127 cities around the world orchestrated a global effort to show the different manifestations of the concept of BIG. I could have easily won the contest (yes, I know, they pretend is not a competition) with a photo of any of the three volcanos that shelter La Antigua Guatemala. But that’s way too easy, I don’t fall for that. Instead, I bring you an old-styled Pepsi-Cola delivery truck with its newly designed slogan: Bigger Better.

For whatever reason, Guatemalans still like the mini soda presentation; a 200 ml glass bottle which is little over half a normal soda (355 ml/12 oz). Of course, you can find all kinds size bottle soda presentations: 200 ml mini soda, 355 ml “normal” size soda, 500 ml glass bottle, 600 ml plastic bottle, 1 liter glass bottle and beyond all the way to 3.5 ltr plastic bottles. I am NOT sure, however, that Bigger is always Better; I don’t know, what do you think?

Thanks for visiting and please make an effort to visit to the other participating cities around the planet. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.