michael sherer
Visualize a pile of expired passports: the current issue is half-full of visas/stamps and it's less than a year old. Travel often? I live in Guatemala, where the exotic is just another word for a day of the week.
The unusual, the esoteric and the mysterious are the food and drink of my daily existence. Did I hear of a jade, opal or gold mine? I'll be there, weather permitting. I've done ruby/sapphire mines in India, so jungle treks here are nothing...ships, boats, fishing? I've run charter boats off the Oregon coast and worked on ships in Alaska. I live in the land of superb coffee and chocolate, two of my many vices. I favor panamas and white linen and I usually travel armed(it is Central America)and if I'm not, my driver is.
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The unusual, the esoteric and the mysterious are the food and drink of my daily existence. Did I hear of a jade, opal or gold mine? I'll be there, weather permitting. I've done ruby/sapphire mines in India, so jungle treks here are nothing...ships, boats, fishing? I've run charter boats off the Oregon coast and worked on ships in Alaska. I live in the land of superb coffee and chocolate, two of my many vices. I favor panamas and white linen and I usually travel armed(it is Central America)and if I'm not, my driver is.
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- 11/18/2009
Education/Experience
B.A, Psychology, M.A,Counseling, Sonoma State College, CAMotto
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Displaying Results 1 - 124 (of 124) for All Content
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Luis Miguel and the Three ClaudiasAntigua, in Guatemala, has many restaurants but few of them survive for more than a few years. Da Vinci, which recently moved, has been in business for over eighteen years. -
La Pena De Sol LatinoAntigua, Guatemala's most famous destination, has over a hundred restaurants. Only a few survive and La Pena del Sol Latino just celebrated their 5th anniversary. -
Antigua and the Third DimensionAntigua in Guatemala, one of Central America's oldest cities, consists of layers of time in the form of recycled buildings. -
Turn Right at the PineapplesUsed clothing, shoes and other accessories sometimes end up in the strangest places: in the public markets of Guatemala, bales of clothing known as 'pacas' are eagerly sought after for what might be inside. -
Hard Knocks in AntiguaThe architecture of Antigua, Guatemala is of arabic origin and style. The decorative brass fittings on the massive wooden doors add color and fashion. -
An Interview with a Belly DancerBelly dancing is an art of the Middle East, which for some reason has been accepted in Latin America as an art form. -
Sin on TinEx votos, a primitive version of retablos, are a way of saying thanks for a sin averted, usually by the intervention of a saint. The Mexican versions began after Cortez commissioned one. -
Maya Chain Gangs: Part TwoThe Olmec and the Maya were known for creating large monuments of stone. Takalik Abaj, Quirigua and La Democracia in Guatemala are prime examples. -
Maya Chaingangs?The Olmecs and later, the Mayas, were somehow able to move large multi-ton stones for many miles. Without the wheel or draft animals, they must have used massive amounts of labor. -
The Crab in Room #3: Part TwoMonterrico, Guatemala's most well known beach resort, was the site of a charity event starring Francis Davila, the country's most famous DJ. -
Giant Crab Falls from CeilingMonterrico, Guatemala's most well-known beach resort, was recently the scene of a concert featuring Francis Davila, Guatemala's most famous DJ. While staying at a nearby hotel, the quiet of the night was disturbed by the descent of a land crab. -
The Secrets of the Sacred SpotTakalik Abaj, Guatemala's premier archeology site, continues to yield tantalizing clue Recently, archeologists digging even deeper into a site that had previously explored found more jade, buried hundreds of years earlier,in the same location. -
A Shovel and a Pick, but No Dynamite StickArcheology excavations, especially in a rich site such as Takalik Abaj, are like digging for treasure. Guatemala's premier Olmec/Maya project keeps on yielding jade masks, beads and tombs. -
The Maya, Master EngineersThe Mayas of Takalik Abaj embarked on a massive expansion project over 2000 years ago: large-scale landscaping, extensive aqueducts and a renaissance of art and projects. -
A Photo Finish in FinlandEcoFiltro, a simple water filter system, is manufactured in Guatemala. Thousands of units are shipped every year and thanks to a recent success in a world-wide competition, they're poised to grow even larger. -
Takalik Abaj and the Olmecs: Part TwoThe Olmecs and later the Mayas built a trading empire that extended from Panama to Mexico, built on exchanging rare items. The Olmec are also credited with creating the original ball game, known as 'pok-ta-pok'
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Takalik Abaj and the Olmecs: Part One3000 years ago the invading Olmecs chose a mountain pass in western Guatemala as part of a link in their trading empire.
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Behind the Scenes of Takalik Abaj: Day 1.5Archeologists work 12 hours a day at the National Park of Takalik Abaj, finding elements, parts and pieces of a very unique site. Jade, pottery, monuments to rulers and events long past are all part of the puzzle.
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Behind the Scenes of Takalik Abaj: Part OneTakalik Abaj is both a national park and a working archeological site: new discoveries are found daily and the crews work 12 hour days.
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Takalik Abaj, Guatemala's Secret: Part TwoArcheologists have long known of Takalik Abaj but only recently have they uncovered royal tombs, jade masks, beads and the astronomical secrets of the Olmecs and the Mayas.
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Takalik Abaj, Guatemala's SecretTakalik Abaj, a working archeological site that is also a national park, is hard to get to but worth the effort.
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An Olmec Mystery in GuatemalaThe famous archeological site of Takalik Abaj continues to yield more treasures but also raises more questions.
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The Rocky Road to Retalhuleu:Part TwoOn the way to visit the Mayan site of Takalik Abaj there are a few roadblocks: language, spelling and taxi drivers.
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The Rocky Road to RetalhuleuRetalhuleu is one of Guatemala's older cities but difficult to travel to unless you're fond of buses.
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A Hard Days Night: Part TwoTraveling throughout Central America requires the ability to adapt to different means of transportation. Some are easy, most are arduous but you'll see a side of the country that most tourists miss.
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Backroads and Bus Trips in Guatemala: Part OneTravel options in Central America dwindle once you leave the airport. The choices are buses, shuttles, taxis and the rattle trap known as tuk-tuks. A rental car is an option for the brave or the foolish.
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The Streets of AntiguaThe horse-drawn carriages in Antigua, Guatemala are using recycling methods, unlike those of Granada, Nicaragua.
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Bandits Without BordersGuatemala has been the target of 21st century cyber-thieves, attacking ATM's remotely and withdrawing significant sums of tourist money.
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A Spanish Fiesta in GuatemalaHorses, especially those of Spain and Peru, have always been prized for their beauty. Today, the tradition, the history and the romance of Spanish colonial days continues throughout Mexico, Latin America and Spain.
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La Posada Del Castor SaladoOn the Pacific coast of Guatemala is a little known surfer's paradise, where the waves are perfect. There is a new Canadian-built mini-paradise on the beach, where the margaritas flow and the music never stops.
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Coming Soon, to an ATM Near YouUnauthorized ATM withdrawals are increasing throughout Latin America, with the focus of long-distance thievery emanating from Bogota, Colombia.
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Homeward Bound for Guatemala, Leaving El SalvadorSan Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, is a lively city with great restaurants, shopping and interesting night life.
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Data Mining and Your ATM CardUnauthorized withdrawals from ATM machines in Guatemala are being noted daily, with little or no recourse unless you catch it quickly. Antigua, the most visited tourist center in the country is only the epicenter.
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Goodbye Nicaragua, Hello El SalvadorFrom the Nicaraguan border, high in the Sierra Piedra Grande, Highway 1 drops into the lower desert of southern Honduras and then across the narrow istmus of land into El Salvador.
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From Managua to El Salvador: Goodbye to NicaraguaTraveling between countries in Central America can be an adventure, provided that you're not in a hurry. Traveling by bus gives you a chance to see the scenery but if you break down you also have a chance to smell the scenery.
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Leaving San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua's Favorite BeachTransportation for tourists in Nicaragua is sometimes difficult, as are the accommodations, but with a little luck, perseverance and a willingness to overlook the details, it's an adventure.
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San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua's Golden CrescentSan Juan Del Sur is the #1 beach playground for Nicaragua, with a history dating back to the Gold Rush Days of California.
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Leaving Leon for San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua's PlaygroundSan Juan Del Sur is the destination choice for surfers, tourists and Managua's elite. After Granada, San Juan Del Sur is the most heavily visited place in Nicaragua.
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Nicaragua's Secret: Leon, a Tourist's DelightLeon is the site of the largest cathedral in the Americas and has the best art,museums and attractions of any city in Nicaragua.
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Leon, Nicaragua's Cultural CapitalLeon, Granada's sister city and long time antithesis, is an intact Spanish colonial treasure house of architecture, art and culture.
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From Granada to LeonGranada, the oldest city in the Americas, shares its heritage with the city of Leon: both are filled with architectural treasures, both have been savaged by pirates and each has felt the occasional earthquake.
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Managua and BeyondThe ongoing adventures of a ten day bus trip, through El Salvador, Honduras and into the cities of Managua, Granada and Leon.
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Into Nicaragua Through the Back DoorNicaragua is a country of contrasts, from the very poor to the very rich and going through economic changes. Entering the nation from the Honduras border is an experience of official ineptitude but slightly charming, as long as you're not in a hurry.
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The Earthquakes of AntiguaAntigua in Guatemala was the colonial capital for the region and was second only to Mexico City and Lima in importance and power. Racked by a series of earthquakes in the 1700's, the city gave up its power but remained to rebuild, one brick at a time.
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A Christmas Miracle in GuatemalaThere is a daily miracle that happens in a small hospital in the adjoining village of San Felipe, where the multitudes are fed and the destitute have shelter.
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A Blood Red Moon Over QuatemalaAn event that only happens every few hundred years, the full lunar eclipse fell on the winter solstice this week, coinciding with ancient Mayan prophecies.
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Guatemala's Golden Age of RailroadsGuatemala brought railroads to the country in the early 1900's, primarily to transport coffee and fruit.
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Thanksgiving in GuatemalaFinding the right ingredients in Central America for a North American holiday meal is akin to a scavenger hunt, with some elements found here and some there. Consider it a minor miracle in the making.
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Suchitoto, El Salvador's Rebel StrongholdOnce a rebel stronghold for the FMLN, Suchitoto always has been a refuge for the descendants of the Mayans, the birds from the hawks and the earthquake-shattered refugees from the capital. Arts, crafts, food and music festivals occur all year around.
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Suchitoto: El Salvador's National TreasureAlelandro Coto, a famed movie producer in Latin America, has opened his house as a museum to showcase his collection of art and other collectibles gathered over the last seventy years.
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The Iron Fist in the Black Leather GloveReilly's bar in Antigua, Guatemala was evicted without notice, with the use of armed police and filmed by television crews. The action, while perhaps legal, was without precedent.
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The Long Black Arm of the LawAntigua, the premier tourist destination in Guatemala, is being threatened with the total ban on all alcohol sales within a 500 meter radius of any church, school or sporting event.
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Wooden Men, Iron ShipsThe Pacific Coast of Guatemala has many attractions: miles of black sand beaches, fresh seaford and exotic nightlife.
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The Underwater Mayan Temple at Lake AtitlanA lost mayan ceremonial site, discoved in 1996, has proved to be more than originally thought: altars, carvings and stone buildings indicate what might be a very important archeological find.
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The Three Best Liquor Stores in Antigua, GuatemalaCentral America produces very good rum but not much else in the way of premium spirits, which involves looking in several different stores and not always finding what you're looking for.
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Central America, Off the Radar Screen for RetireesCentral America, long forgotten about except for memories of being 'banana republics' or for years of civil strife, is now ready for the next wave of retirees from the US.
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Expat Arrested in AntiguaA local charactor, somewhat well known, was arrested by the FBI for mail fraud and a few other charges.
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Where Did They Come From?The Book of Mormon describes a landing in what might have been Central America by a lost tribe of Israel, thousands of years ago.
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Taking Chances at a New CareerApproaching retirement age and seeing the end of a career, a chance visit changed my life.
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On a String and a PrayerNovember 1st and 2nd are days of family reunions with the departed, when the graves are repainted,incense is lit and kites are flown to show the way home.
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The Unrelenting Rains in GuatemalaThe rainy season, which starts in May and usually ends by November, has proven to be the wettest on record in over sixty years.
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The Day that Spain Lost Five ColoniesSpain was bleeding economically, from wars and internal dissent: her colonies in Mexico and what became Central America decided to form their own separate governnments. On Sept 15th, 1521, new flags were hoisted.
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The Secretive Saint of GuatemalaMaximon is a combination of a Mayan god, Mam and Saint Simon, a Catholic venerable. When the Spanish conquered the Maya in Central America, they imposed a new religion, which the Maya partially accepted.
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Twelve Tubs, No WaitingWashing clothes the same way it's been done for hundreds of years.
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Pickpockets and Their TricksHow to avoid losing your wallet, purse and valuables when traveling.
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The Chicken and the BusColorfully painted recycled US school buses serve as the main form of transportation in Guatemala, often over-crowded and piled high with merchandise on the way to and from the remote villages.
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Veils, Scarves and BustiersThe Latin social codes of conduct are fairly rigid, but in Antigua, Gautemala there are exceptions.
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Red, the Color of LoveGuatemala's love affair with flowers and the symbolism of various colors.
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A Lady in a Hatthe culture of wearing hats and the evolution of the panama hat
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The Press of the PastThe history of printing in the America's, dating back to the 1500's.
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Got Zancudos?the uses and warnings of insect repellents, especially when traveling.
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The Sword is Sometimes Mightier Than the PenAntigua has door-to-door hand-powered knife sharpeners: For a dollar, have your knives sharpened, or in this case a sword.
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Shocking Shower SecretsThe secrets of the electrical shower heads as found in Mexico and Central America
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Tequila: It Isn't Just for Breakfast AnymoreWhen the rainy season begins, leather and other materials can accumulate mold. There's an easy way to cure this.
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A Day in the Life of a Travel WriterA typical day in the life of a Guatemalan-based travel writer.
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The Restaurant and the ChurchOn the Pacific coast of Guatemala is a peculiar restuarant, run by two interesting people, that serves a lot of beer and hosts the best Mexican singers.
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Piccolos, Pipes and PandemoniumA recent anniversary of their fourth year in business packed the house at La Pena del Sol. The band, Sol Latino, plays on home-made instruments, made from local materials.
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Poco Loco in OcosAn annual beach party on the Gautemala-Mexican border, with beauty pageants, guns and bodyguards.
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The Famous Faces of AntiguaAntigua is famous for many things: the architecture, the weather and the ambience of four hundred years of history.
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There's a Star on the Avenida Santa LuciaHandicaps come in many shapes, forms and sizes: how one responds to what life or fate has given you determines your path in life.
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A Nine Year Old Partyone of the original hostels in Antigua, created as an afterthought of a massive party that went on for days.
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Gautemala's First Renaissance FaireAntigua was the setting for the first Renaissance Faire in Guatemala, held on the spacious grounds of a seminary. There were clowns, jugglers, swordplay and gauze-clad angels.
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The Girl Who Drew with Her FeetCrippled by birth defects, a courageous girl came to work every day and brought smiles and happiness with her personality and her drawings.
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The Restaurant with No Namethere is a very special restaurant, about the size of a match-box, that is so good that American Express wrote about it.
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The Center of GuatemalaGuatemala's Presidential Palace is the country's starting point for all roads and the culmination of years of planning.
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A Mournful Dirge in the AfternoonFunerals take place quickly in Guatemala, usually within twenty four hours.
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Every Town Needs a DiveThe bar scene in Antigua,Guatemala, where the party never stops.
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Romancing the BeanGautemala's most famous crop is coffee, as produced by the larger farms, the boutique operations or the campesino with a few pounds from his back yard.
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Lake Atitlan, a Study in Neglectthe ongoing struggle to save Lake Atitlan, what once was the most beautiful lake in the world
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Buffalos, Ostriches and a Pile of Saltostriches, goats, buffalos, a salt farm and lakes full of shrimp: Guatemala never ceases to be amazing.
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Turtles and SexThe turtle population along the Pacific coast is diminishing, through poaching and neglect. Gautemala and other Central American countries aren't doing enough to protect an endangered species.
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The Salty Beaver Beach LodgeThe lodge is a perfect day trip from Antigua, with a new swimming pool, great food and surfing.
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The Amazing Alfombras of AntiguaThe creation and history of alfombras (carpets)made by families and groups for the religious processions to pass over.
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Sex in the AfternoonGautemala's answer to a lack of privacy, and a need for a discreet rendezvous.
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History at the Bottom of a WellArcheologists have long wondered about the remnants of blue pigment found on altars and temple sites: a discovery at the bottom of the Sacred Well at Chichen Itza has revealed the past in a way no one ever imagined.
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Gate Fourhow to remove rum stains from a white linen jacket
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Don't Run with the Bunthe cultural differences found in fast food franchises in Guatemala
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The Last TrooperA riding stable, founded in Antigua, Guatemala by a British couple on their way to Paraguay.
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Dollars, Pesos and Pieces of EightThe early farms in Guatemala were chronically short on cash, of any kind: dollars, pesos or pieces of eight...they made their own coins instead.
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Packards on the Left, Chryslers on the RightOne of Guatemalas' two annual car shows, featuring the finest of classic cars.
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Monkey Boys and Devils, Dancing in the StreetsThe parade of devils, beauty queens and marching bands celebrating the end of a month of festivities.
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Belly Dancers at Eightthe ancient art of belly dancing came to Antigua this week, personified by a Colombian angel and an Argentinian-Arabic mistress.
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The Steamy Side of Guatemalaa place where the sun shines 345 days a year, where perfect waves crash on the black volcanic sands.
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Mayas, Mushrooms and the Devil's WeedThe Mayan Empire lasted for over two thousand years and was fueled by rituals, priests and bloody sacrifices.
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Maya Razzle DazzleA Mayan temple, previously discovered buried under another temple in Copan, was painted in dark red and green colors. A recent study indicates that mica flakes were also used in the coloring, which might have made the building sparkle in the sun.
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Plan B for a Rainy Day in GautemalaIt's summer and you've been planning this vacation to Guatemala for almost a year like the rest of Central America, has two seasons, the wet and the dry.
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The Traveler's Quick Weight Loss DietWays to avoid getting the Mayan Revenge or the curse of unwashed vegetables.
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Indigo, the Maya's Favorite Color for Special Occasionsthe source and the way of extracting indigo, a famous dye used all over the world and a once important export in Central America
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Traveling to the Surprisingly Scenic El Salvadorof the 21 volconos, three are sometimes active: the beaches are quiet acres of vacant black sand, with sparkling blue waves. The capital, San Salvador, is the most vibrant in Central America.
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Las Nubes: A Famous Early Coffee Farm in Guatemalacoffee, how it's grown, private tours via Land Rover and birdwatching, including the rare quetzal
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Indiana and Mrs Jones in Guatemalaa history of the Maya thirst for jade, the source and the rediscovery of their mines.
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Top Ten Picks for Travel in Central AmericaA practical guide, from personal experiences, of how to get the most from your travels in Central America.
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The Taste of HistoryThe Maya are credited with the discovery and first uses of chocolate. The Aztecs, their neighbors to the north, apparently traded chocolate as far north as New Mexico.
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Looting and Thieving for Fun and ProfitThe history of tomb-robbing and the ways that Mayan art reaches the market.
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Rio Dulce, a Pirate's DelightRio Dulce, Gautemala's Caribbean port of call for the last 400 years, still serves as a hide-out. Adventurers, rascals and men on the run find the end of the road here.
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Guns, Swords and HorsesThe Spanish Conquistadores, with minimal man-power, toppled empires in the Americas. Armed with swords, lances and a few cannon, the Spanish carved out a place in history and captured an immense amount of gold.
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Twisted Tanya and Monkey BillCopan is a 500 year old Spanish village, overlaying a 2000 year old Maya settlement. The nearby ruins of the palaces, courts and monuments are stunning
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Is it a Ghost Town or a Golf Course?a perfect nine hole golf course, framed with views of volcanos and a mystery of faded dreams.
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The Mystery in Room #1There is a crystal skull in the finest musuem in Guatemala City, amidst a superb collection of Maya artifacts. Where did it come from?
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Joya De Cera...El Salvador's TreasureSealed in the mud of volcanic flows from a nearby volcano, this village remains a mystery. The style of construction is radically different and the house of the shaman was special.
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"too Much of a Good Thing"Guatemala's crown jewel is a sapphire-hued lake, set in an emerald girdle of three perfectly shaped volcanos.
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They Made My Compass SpinFor whatever reason, two thousand years ago the Olmecs of Central America became aware of magnetism. They purposefully carved the statues with magnetic poles in either the right temple or the navel.
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Great Balls of FireThis was a recreation of the ancient game of pok-ta-pok, the oldest known sport to mankind, dating back over 2500 years. The Mayans built over 1500 ball courts and the game served as a way of resolving disputes and providing amusement for their people.
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Cell Phones in Central AmericaBe prepared for frustration and loss of connectivity: with a little planning and forethought, your vacation won't be hampered by not being able to call home.