In with the new and out with the old, so begins another year. Shake off that fireworks hangover (who doesn’t like fireworks, but was it really necessary to shoot off that many?) and turn those calendars over to the 2012 page (what you haven’t bought your 2012 calendar yet? You’ve certainly had plenty of time, they went on sale in October just after the Christmas decorations hit the shelves). It’s time to get moving for the New Year (okay, maybe not quite yet, but think at least about getting going).

In Xela and Guatemala, here are a few of the things that will be on the way out with the end of 2011:

• President Alvaro Colom, who is ending his 4 year term as president (well, technically his term isn’t over until mid-January, but it has been over for all practical purposes since the November elections, if not before)
• Election year graffiti, which is fading from rocks, walls, and signposts everywhere, not to be refreshed again for another few years in support of the next round of political candidates
• The rein of the year’s beauty queens, setting off innumerable contests to select the next round of beauties (anyone want to be Ms. Electrical Company 2012?).

And with the beginning of 2012 here are some things that are there way in:

• A new era of safety, if you believe the words of incoming-President Otto Perez Molina who has promised substantial security gains in the first 6 months of his term
• Guatemala’s new role on the United Nations Security Council, perhaps bringing an increase in diplomatic activity to our off-the-beaten path country
• Another mango season, bringing an uncountable number of varieties of this tasty fruit to a market place near you

Finally, the entrance of 2012 means the last year of the world’s existence, maybe. According to the Mayan calendar, the world’s last day is on December 21, 2012. Whether this means an actual end of the world apocalypse- or just a new phase of being- is open to debate. But to be on the safe side, it might be best to get things in order before December 21. That gives you almost full year to take care of your affairs, but don’t procrastinate too long….

P o p p i n g

New Public Works Projects

Literally popping at this time of year, fireworks displays are nearly ubiquitous during the Christmas and New Year holidays. From simple roman candles to more elaborate sky filling displays (see this month’s cover), Guatemalans love their fireworks. Of course, these seasonal displays are on the top of the normal birthday firecracker routine. No, those aren’t anything sinister you hear going off at 6am many mornings, just friends starting someone’s birthday off with a bang.

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Here at XelaWho we take our hard hitting journalism seriously, which is why we scour the world for completely useless news- just another way we save you from having to waste your own valuable time on such pursuits.

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By Jed Herrmann

As opposed to some other parts of the country (specifically one old town), there are blessedly few wandering vendors on Xela’s streets. Unless you go to La Democracia market, you’re likely to be only occasionally hassled by someone approaching you to hawk their wares.

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By Diana Pastor

Every month in Guatemala is a party, at least somewhere in the country. With over 300 municipalities, each with their own annual celebration, there is almost a party per day on average (and that’s not even including more widely celebrated patron saint days and national holidays). From this party-all-the-time ethos, there are a few celebrations that stand out every year for the devotion of their participants.

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By Susana Raymundo

Weaving is an important part of cultural heritage with the backstrap loom as an inheritance that comes passed from previous generations. Thanks to the grandmothers, mothers, sisters (and perhaps a few grandfathers, fathers and brothers mixed in there), the ways of weaving endure to this day. This seed of traditional weaving grows in children until they too one day are the grandparents and parents of the next generation of weavers. Further this tradition not only creates textiles but also stitches together families as they share their lives while working together at their craft. And even when working alone, the weaver is serenading the world by humming or whistling to express the joy of their work.

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By Jed Herrmann

They don’t just happen at random. Let us explore how soccer (football) riots take shape using the recent riot at Estadio Mario Camposeco as a guide, (well, it may not qualify as a soccer riot, but it makes a catchier title than “disturbance” and the use of tear gas has to count for something on the riot index). In this case, it was the contributing factors of hope, revenge, frustration, profound disappointment, and poor stadium construction that precipitated the incident.

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By Elena Alvarado

Following up on last month’s review of Xela’s fried chicken scene, this month we’ll chow down on another of Guatemala’s most common menu items: the hamburger.  Well, actually the cheeseburger because we like cheese.

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In a saga out of a movie, the details of Cristina Siekavizza’s disappearance continued to come out last month. Many may recall that she is the housewife and mother of two who disappeared last July 7. After her disappearance, her husband (Roberto Barreda de Leon), her family, and friends held vigils in her honor and urged police to find her quickly. Then in early August, Roberto and the couple’s two children disappeared. After his disappearance, the family’s maid was arrested and later revealed under questioning that Barreda had murdered his wife on July 6.

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