Thursday 12 February 2009

Hola de Guatemala!


I'm sorry I haven't written in a while but I'm in Antigua, Guatemala now!
It's a great little city that has maintained it's traditional customs (ie. women carrying baskets on their heads is a common site in Antigua) but has adopted some modern customs.
This is evident in some of the restaurants I've seen. In this small town that's about 1.5km x 1.5km, I've seen a Subway, a McDonald's, a Dominoes Pizza and a Burger King! The fast food restaurant that is more popular in Guatemala (and Central America) is Pollo Campero.


Nonetheless, most Guatemalans eat 5 meals a day, 3 main meals and 2 snacks.


Breakfast is typically eaten early (7-ish) and consists of mosh (porridge) and fruit, eggs, beans and tortillas or toast with marmalade, and coffee.


Their first snack is taken at 10-ish and typically is atole, a sweet corn drink.


Lunch is the main meal, usually taken at 1-ish, and can include soup followed by meat, rice, vegetables, and a simple salad. Fresh fruit or fruit juice may follow the meal.


Their second snack is at ~4pm and is usually a pastry and coffee.


Dinner, at 7-ish and can include black beans, tortillas and eggs or sweet bread, beans, artichokes, rice and meat. Fried plantains, flan (caramel custard), or fresh fruit are popular desserts.


More pictures to follow!

6 comments:

Jme said...

What about their milk? is it pasteurized the same? do they drink tap water? is their coffee any good?

juan said...

I´m a doctor and I found this site very very educational!! Two thumbs up..!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Sybil,

Como esta usted? Have you been out to Tikal yet? near by is a great island called Flores, and just a short boat ride from there is a Zoo with a fantastic Waterslide built in. You have to go, it's awesome and freaky.

Chrys

Sybil Hebert, RD said...

Hi Jme,
The milk that's sold in the supermarket is pasteurized. Milk is not a big part of the Guatemalan diet however- it is quite expensive. However, powdered milk is available and cheaper. To my knowledge, there are no laws against selling unpasteurized milk/cheeses in the public markets- where most of the people buy their food.
Yes, they drink their water but I don't since it's not recommended (unless it's boiled for a while).
In the past Guatemala was the #3 exporter of coffee in the world but it now falls to #7- still making it a major exporter. I've tasted organic coffee (a growing trend, it seems) from a local farm here and it's the best coffee I've tasted!
Thanks for the questions!!

Sybil Hebert, RD said...

Thanks Juan!

Sybil Hebert, RD said...

Hola Chrys!
I actually haven't the time to go to Tikal (or Flores)... I've heard only great things though- wish I could visit... That waterslide sounds amazing!
I've been up a few volcanoes here and visited Lago Atitlan though- it was great!
Hope you're well...