June 2011 in Revue Magazine

This month’s cover story features the gem of the Highlands, Quetzaltenango (aka Xela), Guatemala’s second-largest city which is widely regarded as the country’s cultural capital. The story by Xela resident Blake Nelson points out the highlights, accompanied by photos, including our cover shot, by Quetzaltenango’s foremost photographer Harry Díaz.

The enigma of Maximón is the topic of Thor Janson’s article and photos. At odds with the Catholic Church for centuries, the cult of Maximón flourishes in northern Mesoamerica, with thousands of chapels in Guatemala alone.

With June comes Father’s Day as well as a new crop of interesting fruits in farmer’s markets across Guatemala. Kate Witt gives us a rundown on page 60.

Among the many NGOs making a difference here is Safe Passage, working with children and families in the Guatemala City dump. Volunteer Hannah Wallace Bowman provides her account on page 42.

Looking for an interesting daytrip that offers a little of everything near La Antigua? Catch a free shuttle to Finca Filadelfia. Tanya Hughes tells us what it’s like.

We also have stories on those interesting brooms made of royal palm, the monument to Nobel Laureate Miguel Ángel Asturias, the white-tailed deer, and an update on Habitat for Humanity—plus a long list of events, fairs and cultural activities in DateBook, so dig in.

—Matt Bokor