Reviews

Over the past few years, as the planet has fallen further into the shitpile, La Cuadra has featured the good works of many not for profit, non-governmental organizations which struggle to humanize our host country, make life better for the poorest and most at risk Guatemalans, and foster development in Central America. While we remain… full story HERE »

A couple of years back, at the last Jamtigua concert Tom Graham and Willie Gomez got on stage with their band, The Blue Dawgs. The crowd leapt to their feet for the first time that afternoon and started dancing. I don’t remember their opener, but I do remember Tom, his hair spilling over his shoulders,… full story HERE »

Byrant Hand, 33, professional educator and entrepreneur, came to Guatemala four years ago and founded the Oxford Language Schools which currently train Spanish speakers in 28 languages ranging from Korean and Mandarin to Portuguese and English. The schools are a successful business, catering largely to adults and corporate clients, but Bryant, who had seen… full story HERE »

When my dad first told me he wanted a pedal-steel guitar for his birthday nine years ago, I scoffed. Not only because I knew he wouldn’t tear himself away from watching golf long enough to learn to play, but because I couldn’t possibly think of a more ridiculous instrument. It might have been great for… full story HERE »

Recently I read a report given to a commission on sustainable development by the leader of a multilateral humanitarian group. The leader considered the “global food crisis” an urgent priority. He announced that he had established a special task force to work with the agricultural sector, and argued that more production was needed to feed… full story HERE »

She arrived with a backpack full of dreams, a pair of comfortable shoes and a tidal wave of energy, an American volunteer like many others who wanted to make a change in the world and in our country, Guatemala. But this woman had no idea of the legacy she was on the verge of building…. full story HERE »

Sometimes it’s good to know an ex-safecracker and felon and even better if he is a friend. My ex-safecracker and felon friend is Earl. He looks like a cross between Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood and Sam Elliot, but with mica blue eyes and the wrinkles of a Shar-Pei. His moniker is WUOF- wrinkled up… full story HERE »

My High School Friends have begun to suspect I haven’t told them the full story of my life.

“Why did you leave Sierra Leone?”

“Because there is a war.”

“Did you witness some of the fighting?”

“Everyone in the country did.”

“You mean you saw people running around with guns and shooting each other?”

“Yes, all the time.”

“Cool.”

I smile a little.

“You… full story HERE »

The long term ex-pats of San Pedro and the long term ex-Pats of Antigua look upon one another with a more or less equal sense of bewilderment.  Those of us in Antigua can’t figure out how anyone could possibly want to live in a town that small, with that many fake hippies, and being surrounded… full story HERE »

A man who inspires both loathing and admiration, Fidel is one of the twentieth century’s most influential leaders and, until last year’s illness, the world’s longest serving head of state. Starting with President Eisenhower’s CIA proposed plan to “topple Castro in one year,” Castro has remained a burr under the saddle for no fewer than… full story HERE »