Tom, general contractor, assessing the progress with local carpenter Rosalio

Tom & Annie have been living and working on the rio for a year and a half or so, repairing sails and rigging. Visit their website HERE .

Last July, Annie returned from visiting her grandchildren in the states and was surprised to find that while she was gone Tom had done all her work -- stitching the sails that awaited her return.  Annie used her liberation from toiling at the sewing machine to pursue her long-time dream of sharing her passion for yoga.

Leading classes for friends and neighbors at homes around the village of Cayo Quemado (home of La Laguna marina formerly known as Texan Bay Marina) led her to start dreaming of a special space for yoga in the jungle. 

La Shala, three more levels of hojas to go

She decided to pursue some training in order to share her yoga, so she went to the Mystical Yoga Farm on Lago Atitlán for a 'grueling but exhilarating' three weeks of yoga teacher training.

While she was away, Tom started  building her a yoga studio, La Shala. Walter and Damion, heading up a crew of local guys, have created an inspiring post and beam studio with a bamboo and leaf roof.  It's a natural structure set in several acres of parks and gardens and surrounded by jungle.

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

Jennifer’s husband, Bernie, built Ber Kat (59 by 29 feet) in the backyard of their Oregon home. 

Jennifer and Bernie

And yes – they can tell a story or two about the Rio!  If you don’t know them, come meet them.

Don’t forget to tell Jennifer Happy Birthday.  She won’t mind that it is a belated wish.

Two beloved soups plus a recipe

By VALERIA CEREZO
One thing we like in Guatemala are soups.

 We inherited the joy of a good soup from the old cultures. In many regions of Guatemala, soups were used (and still are) as ceremonial dishes (that has to mean something).

VALERIA CEREZO

The indigenous are the soup masters. Usually the indigenous soups are very thick and have similar basic ingredients, and then there are the broths, which have their roots on the Mayan flavors and ingredients mixed with the old Spanish.

 A broth here is not just a watery soup that’s used a base for other dishes and sauces. A broth here is an art. We have them usually for special occasions. Writing the word broth is kind of hard for me, I feel as if I don’t understand its meaning completely so I would rather use CALDO.

 We have two favorites caldos: caldo de mariscos y caldo de gallina.

CALDO DE GALLINA

Restaurante Linda Vista

Family owned Linda Vista has been in operation for years but many boaters aren't aware of it since it's located in a quiet tranquil area far from the noise and bustle of Fronteras. And, as its name says, it has a breathtaking view of the river.

Large groups welcome

Restaurante Linda Vista offers excellent seafood dishes such as tapado, mojarra, robalo,ceviche and camarones as well as an outstanding homemade chicken soup, spaghetti and lemon chicken, with prices ranging from Q35 to Q55.

Click for larger view

Give Willy a call at 4646 2200 or 7930 0045.and he can arrange to send a large lancha to your marina to pick up a group or deliver meals to go. 

No Name Sound System band

 The group is a combination of two bands, Calimosho and A L'Ouest, and is comprised of musicians from Guatemala, Switzerland, Uruguay and California.

They'll play again at Bruno's today for happy hour from 4 to 7 (and most likely later into the evening). 

Come by to hear some music that will put a smile on your face and get your toes tapping.

Josh at rodeo

Today, Friday Jan. 13, he'll perform at the new Vista Rio from 4 to 7.

 Then Saturday, Jan. 14, he'll be at Bruno's from 4 to 7.

 A forner rodeo bullrider, he plays country western (of course) songs as well as other contemporary tunes.

 If you enjoy his music, be sure to toss something into his tip bucket.

Glennda Olivier with Rio Dulce Bomberos

As I sit to write this article, it has been four weeks since I experienced a very bad fall here in the Rio Dulce.  What did I do?  Just as I was getting out of the lancha to go play dominos with friends, I was thrown off the bow and hit my back against the wooden seat.

Immediately, people came from everywhere to see if they could help and to lift me out of the boat. Get bags of ice, and even offer me pain relief in the form of liquid refreshment.

Bienvenidos

Okay, so maybe you are not the volleyball type,  or you don't have access to the tennis court,  jogging hurts, and yoga doesn't quite get it for you.

Have you seen the signs posted around town and in the marinas promoting HOODEE'S  BOLICHE?  

Entrance

What a hoot, spending a few hours trying to remember first, how to put on real bowling shoes, (sox provided)  and then fitting the appropriate fingers into the right sized holes of all those colored balls .... YES, real bowling balls.  (they are stamped *COSMIC*  but we know to delete the "S") 

Recently, a team from La Bacadilla made the trip (thanks for the ride, Jim)  and spent a   most entertaining afternoon trying to make spares, strikes, splits, and still look good.  HA, almost had ya for a minute.