Coach Ziggy Korytoski

Why did you come to La Antigua?
I was coaching at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and came to Guatemala looking for players. I was very fortunate to meet Ricardo Ranus. He asked me if I had any interest in coaching a pro team. I said absolutely; it’d be a great opportunity!

We stayed in touch and when he joined the board of the Antigua Guatemala Football Club, I was his number one choice to come down here and take the team. So after a few conversations with my wife, we decided it could be a great experience. I wanted to be in the pro game; I felt capable of it. And when we came down to La Antigua, we fell in love with the area. Ricardo has been like a brother; he’s been fantastic this last year and a half. We’ve been very fortunate here.

Had you visited La Antigua before you came for the job?
No. Well, just for three hours when I was recruiting. I saw the stadium and that was it.

How did you get started coaching?
I think it was just in the blood. My mom coached soccer; my dad coached baseball. Coming out of high school, I had the option to play soccer or baseball, and I took the route to play soccer. I wanted to play as long as I could, but I knew I wanted to coach regardless of when I was done playing the game. I’ve always enjoyed the tactics of the game. And, coaching beats a desk job. It really does. There’s a lot of stuff we do in the office now, but to be on the field…

“We play for La Antigua and we play to be champions.”

What changes have you made to the team since you’ve been here?
That’s a tough one – not knowing the team too much beforehand. They had been in the first division, where we are now; then they were relegated [to the lower division] before I came down. The year before last we won and we got brought up again. I think the changes have really been… Well, rumor has it that we’ve completely changed the culture: the expectations, the discipline. I work for the club, obviously, but I feel like I serve the city. How we play is important to me – that we play attractive – because I think it’s a game for the fans. We’ve seen the numbers increase in the stadium on game days. I heard that they averaged around 500 fans a game before. Last year we had between 2,000 and 3,000, and now between 3,000 and 4,000.

What are your goals for the team?
I would like to put together the best team in the country. I want a team that will be playing for the champion league. And, I want to sell out the stadium consistently. I want this whole town to be green and white. I’d love to introduce the tailgating culture to La Antigua and really make the game an event!

“It’s about scoring goals and winning games. It’s about getting everyone excited and playing to entertain.”

What’s the mascot?
The Green Belly or Panza Verde.

How are the fans?
They are tremendous! Second to none! It’s just a great feeling to be in the stadium and see everybody smiling and having a great time. The fans are passionate about the game and supportive of the players. We really believe that we play for everyone who comes into our stadium and supports us. And, we give them a chance to forget their worries while they’re at the game. It’s a special day. They spend their hard-earned money to come and see us play, and I think they’re proud of our success and how we play. That’s something we take a lot of pride in.

What’s your team’s relationship with the community?
We go to schools and do free coaching clinics. We’re trying to give back to the community. We’re just trying to do as much as we can to support the community, because we know that without them it wouldn’t be the same.
Is that something that you’ve brought to the team as the coach, something that you’ve encouraged in the players?
I think it’s something I encouraged early on, but to be fair to them, they come to me now with ideas. They’ve become part of the community and now everybody’s reaching out. They know that we make a big impression on these young kids and that how we live our life, and what we do, and our reputation is very important.

Tell us more about your players.
I have a great group of guys. They are very committed and very hardworking. They understand why we play the game. They understand that we play it for something bigger than ourselves. They want to get better. They want to learn, and they want to impress. As professional players, they probably train three to five hours a day; it’s a full time job. They are very blessed to be doing what they’re doing – playing sports for a living – and we talk about that. We’ve got some fantastic players who are the right group of guys for the culture we want.

What are the major differences between coaching here and in the States?
I think within the team there isn’t much of a difference. We have a good group of guys who are hungry to win. I think the biggest challenges are the facilities and education – knowing what to do and what to eat to take care of the body. We have a club that wants to be able to compete at the highest level, but we’re still lacking the doctor on the sideline, the athletic trainers, and sometimes we don’t have water on the sideline. We’re lacking some things that are very simple and maybe taken for granted in the US. That’s been the biggest challenge: trying to provide everything that you know an athlete needs to compete at the highest level.

What’s the most rewarding part of coaching?
For me, in all honesty, it’s pleasing the people of La Antigua. When you get to the point where you’ve put in all the work during the week and you go out there and implement the game play and it’s effective, that’s what the people have come to see. It’s about the fans’ enjoyment. Without them, it wouldn’t be anything. So for me, it’s about getting them excited, and to do that you have to play attractive.

You’ve said “play attractive” a couple of times. What do you mean by that?
For me, attractive soccer is attack soccer. It’s about ball possession. It’s about speed of play. It’s about discipline. It’s about intelligent decisions. It’s about collective movement. It’s about individual and collective creativity. It’s about defending well. And it’s about scoring goals and winning games. If you take all those details together, that’s how it becomes attractive. When fans see a team working together, that’s what they appreciate. You have players who can just take over a game at any given point, but when it’s collective, I think it’s more enjoyable. That’s something we bring; we bring an attractive game. And, that’s easier said than done. It takes a lot of work and preparation, and that’s why I commend the guys that we have, because they work so hard to execute and play to perfection.

Was there anything that you expected from or surprised you about La Antigua?
I didn’t have any expectations. I had just heard that it was the most beautiful city in Guatemala and that it was a safe area. And, I came here and it was absolutely gorgeous. It looked like a place that could truly develop a sports culture, something very special, like what you see at the big college football towns in the US. I feel like we could bring that culture to La Antigua, and make it a very, very special place for the game.

What’s something that you love about La Antigua?
What’s not to love? It’s just such a fascinating city. You’ve got a city where everyone works hard and takes pride in what they do, whether it’s the guy shining shoes or it’s the guy playing professional soccer. I enjoy the fact that people are so friendly. It’s not overcrowded. The climate is fantastic. Everything is a close walk away. There’s everything that you need in this town; it’s got something for everybody.

Is there anything you’d like to change about La Antigua if you could?
From my perspective, it’s difficult to say what should change, but we’re always looking at the people who are working so hard, but aren’t as fortunate to have the things that we have, and hoping we can help them out. I think that’s something we try to do in La Antigua. I think that’s the biggest challenge.

What do you think is in the future for Guatemalan soccer?
I hope to help put it on a bigger stage. I would love to see Guatemala in a World Cup. Guatemala has never qualified for a World Cup, and I’d love to be able to contribute in some way, whether it’s with my players or personally somehow.

What do you have planned for the future?
Well, my contract comes up in May, so it depends on the president of the club, in all honesty. I know this team is capable of so much and I want to be here – there’s no question about that.

Any message you’d like to give the fans?
Yeah. On behalf of the team and my family, thank you so much for your support and the belief that you’ve shown us! We’re very proud and grateful to be a part of the community.

Anything else you want to mention?
Come out to a game; you’ll enjoy it! I think it will put what I’ve been talking about in perspective. And, I really think you’ll be pretty impressed. We’ll make you a regular.

For more information and game schedules, check out the Antigua Guatemala Football Club’s website at www.equipoantiguagfc.com.

After two successful and fun years, the La Antigua Masquerade Ball will take place again on Friday, February 17th from 6-11 PM at San Jose el Viejo. “When I first came to La Antigua and saw the ruins I thought, ‘Wow, they are so magical! What a wonderful place for classy and elegant cultural events!’” reminisced Gabi Altman. “So, I am so appreciative of Lyne Bissonnette for starting the ball in La Antigua and for graciously passing the organization of the event on to Mona Rose and me so we can continue this wonderful tradition.”

Originally, the masquerade ball in Venice gave the people an opportunity to celebrate and indulge on Mardi Gras before the start of Lent. The masquerade allowed Venetians to enjoy themselves without the social barriers that normally separated people. The first costumes were simple and based on characters from the Commedia dell’Arte, and, along with the masks, gave the revelers anonymity and the ability to mingle with people they normally would not have had the opportunity to meet. Not surprisingly, many couples met, fell in love,  and married shortly after the event. Not that we’ll be seeing an increase of matrimony in La Antigua, but one never knows; after all, wearing a costume and mask allows you to be a little more outgoing, a little more flirtatious. “What I love about this event is that you lose yourself in a different world: in a different time, a different space! You really forget where you are,” says Mona with a smile.

Over time, the costumes of the Venetian Ball have become increasingly extravagant. And since this is one of the most exciting parts of the event, guests are encouraged to fully participate. At the La Antigua Masquerade Ball, costumes have ranged from the spectacular and traditional to the mysterious and romantic. As a costume designer herself, Mona explains, “It’s not Halloween; it’s a Venetian style ball.” The dress code will be costumes fitting the theme, or elegant semi-formal to formal dress, and of course, a Venetian style mask is required to enter the Masquerade Ball! “You’re incognito! Nobody knows who you are. It’s very mysterious with everyone under a mask, and full of fantasy inspired by the nobles who used to dance in the royal courts,” adds Gabi.

If you’re wondering where you’ll be able to find a costume, you can contact Mona for beautiful custom-made masks. Another option, if you’re creatively inclined, is to visit the paca – an area at the back of the local market – where you can find a plethora of costume-making materials, from used bridesmaid’s gowns to yards of old curtains which can be transformed into an extravagant outfit. There will also be some costumes and masks on display at the ball, which will be available for purchase as a last-minute option.
While seeing everyone in their costumes and masks is certainly an element that contributes highly to the intrigue and entertainment of the evening, there will also be music and other entertainment. This year’s ball will, without doubt, prove to be a lively and exciting event, one that Gabi hopes will continue to grow with each coming year.

Don’t miss out on this amazing La Antigua tradition; get your tickets soon! Included in the ticket price (Q300 per person) will be a drink and hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, and music for dancing. Tickets can be purchased at Qué Pasa (Map J2) and Cargo Room (7832-2200), Joyería Del Ángel (7832-3189), Joe’s Grill (7934-6623), and Porta Hotel Antigua (7931-0600).

The proceeds from the event (the raffle and art auction) will go to World Help’s project Operation Baby Rescue.

The La Antigua Masquerade Ball will be held on Friday, February 17th from 6 PM to 11 PM at Las Ruinas de San Jose el Viejo (5a Avenida Sur and 8a Calle Poniente, next to Porta Hotel Antigua).
For more information: 5722-0113, 4185-4032 or antiguaball2012@yahoo.com.

To purchase a beautifully crafted, Venetian-style mask, visit www.monaroseartandmore.com or call 4185-4032.

Photos by Mona Rose and Victor González

Straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean, Lake Izabal is connected to the Caribbean via Río Dulce and you can just imagine the pirates who sailed up the river to loot from the locals and hide their booty, and those who fought them back at El Castillo de San Felipe.

On the fun and quirky side of things, there will be an attempt to break the world’s record of how many people can squeeze inside of a chicken bus on the 11th (see page 28), and I’m pretty sure the people here can show the rest of the world how it’s done! On that same day in the evening, the Rotary Club will host a fundraising gala dedicated to love and friendship at the beautiful Capuchinas Ruins.  On the 17th, the magnificent and mysterious Masquerade Ball will be held at San José el Viejo (see page 24). Then on the 18th, there will be the benefit event Guatemala in Motion! – an NGO showcase and dance extravaganza (see page 73).

In addition to that, there is an array of other interesting activities planned so be sure to check out our calendars. And, for all you lovers out there, every restaurant, hotel and spa is sure to have something delightfully romantic planned especially for you on the 14th.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Keri

Niños de Guatemala

A new school in San Lorenzo El Cubo
On January 16th, Niños de Guatemala (NDG) opened a new school, El Porvenir, in San Lorenzo El Cubo. It is NDG’s second project, after the school Nuestro Futuro in Ciudad Vieja. In 2012 the schools and the NGO will serve 239 students and their families, providing education and support through their social workers, medical visits and literacy classes. The pupils also receive art classes, English lessons, computing and, if necessary, remedial teaching.Founded in 2006, the Guatemalan-Dutch non-profit pursues a better future for Guatemala and its people through educational projects. Anchored in the country’s reality, NDG offers to show it with the “Experience Guatemala Tour,” during which one gets to visit Ciudad Vieja’s community, its businesses, its slums, and the school Nuestro Futuro.
www.ninosdeguatemala.org

Marty and Ginski, pictured below, have begun filming an Internet TV show that will follow them through Central and South America, with the first of these shows being filmed in La Antigua. Part of their show will involve filming a world-record attempt of fitting as many people as possible inside a chicken bus – and they need your help! For the record to be achieved, they will need 210 participants to beat the previous record of 209 people, set in Poland in 2009.

Be sure to join the fun and get involved!

“We want as many people as possible to get involved,” said Marty, who is thoroughly enjoying his time in La Antigua. “Guatemalan people have a great sense of humor and they are always up for having fun. We hope that this record attempt will be something the people of La Antigua embrace and have fun with.”

The event will take place at 2 PM on Saturday the 11th of February, location to be announced.
For more information, email martyandginski@gmail.com. 

Judy & Gene

Hundreds of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) work in Guatemala every day, trying to move mountains as large as poverty, poor health, malnutrition, unemployment and illiteracy, often on microscopic budgets. Until recently, every NGO sought out its own resources and learned from its own successes and failures, unaware of other groups, only a few miles away, with needed information, resources, and experiences to share.

Judy Sadlier and her husband Gene Budinger – retired sales professionals from Florida – recognized the need for better communication among NGOs shortly after they arrived in La Antigua in 2005. While attending weekly NGO presentations at La Antigua’s Rainbow Café, they noticed a disturbing trend. “NGOs with similar goals didn’t seem to know about one another,” said Sadlier. “No one was coordinating or even talking with one another.” That’s when Sadlier and Budinger created a community forum in La Antigua that ultimately evolved into the Guatemala NGO Network.

“We just called everyone we knew who was involved with an NGO and invited them to meet,” says Sadlier. “We planned it as a one-time event, but when people came up to us afterwards and said, ‘That was great! When can we do it again?’ we realized there was a real need for regular connections and idea-sharing in the NGO community.”

Sadlier refers to the Guatemala NGO Network as “a source of information and synergy for NGOs in Guatemala.” It is designed to connect NGOs in Guatemala, to get the word out about the work NGOs are doing in Guatemala, and to put volunteers in contact with NGOS that need their help. The Network now has nearly 70 NGO participants throughout the country, and convenes quarterly meetings at La Peña del Sol Latino in La Antigua. NGOs give brief presentations about their work, and bilingual translators ensure that everyone can benefit.

But the real synergy happens after the presentations, when participants chat informally and exchange ideas. The results can be powerful, as Paul Guggenheim, the Riecken Foundation’s former country director for Guatemala explains:

Riecken

“When I attended my first meeting four years ago, I met a representative from the organization Community Enterprise Solutions, which uses a consignment model to train local entrepreneurs to develop business skills and sell eyeglasses, seeds, water filters, and other useful products. The match between Riecken Community Libraries and their organization’s model was obvious from the start. The two organizations have maintained a healthy, efficient partnership in the communities where we work ever since.”

Network showcase events, like “Vegas in Antigua” in prior years and this month’s “Guatemala in Motion!” (see pages 46 & 47) give the public an opportunity to explore some of the work being accomplished by Guatemala NGOs and help NGOs connect with volunteers, service providers, and other organizations. The Network also presents guest speakers throughout the year, addressing central topics like the ever-changing legal and tax issues confronting NGOs.

Beyond face-to-face connections, the Network’s website (guatemala-ngos.net) facilitates information-sharing among colleagues across the miles, allowing colleagues located throughout Guatemala, as well as outside of the country, to benefit from best practices in areas like strategic planning, fundraising, finances, and monitoring and evaluation, and exchange information about available and needed resources. Prospective volunteers and job seekers often use the site to find job opportunities and background information about Guatemala organizations.

Ninos de Guatemala

Member organizations are small or large, ranging from fledgling start-ups like Ambientalistas Sociales en Acción to 60-years-and-counting groups like Behrhorst Partners for Development. Although the Network is predominantly composed of U.S.-based nonprofits, a growing number of Guatemala-directed groups, like Asociación EducArte are joining, as well as European-directed groups like Netherlands-based Niños de Guatemala and T.E.S.S. Unlimited.

The Guatemala NGO Network is unique among its fellow organizations: it does not feed children, provide medical exams, clean the environment, offer microfinancing, or build libraries. But its participants do, and through partnerships and collaborations made through the Network, they are able to achieve much more.

“Wherever there is a forum for like-minded people to interact and share ideas and information, it creates a stronger work sector,” says Guggenheim. “The NGO Network provides that space for the nonprofit development community in Guatemala, increasing the sector’s impact in the country.”

CasaSito

The Network provides Guatemala NGOs the chance to share limited resources, exchange vital information, and build on each other’s successes. As Coordinadora General Maritza Ortiz of CasaSito in La Antigua explains, “The NGO Network strengthens the work that NGOs throughout Guatemala are doing.”

The Guatemala NGO Network presents “Guatemala in Motion!” showcasing the work of Guatemala NGOs and featuring Salsa, Hip-Hop, and Belly-dance performance and lessons on February 18 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Lutheran Center, 1a Avenida Norte #35, La Antigua (MAP B1).

For more information about the event or the Guatemala NGO Network
see www.guatemala-ngos.net

The serpentine world of the Mazariegos
Dr. Roger R. Mazariegos Pinzon had a small personal collection of snakes and amphibians. Gradually, that hobby developed into a passion and transformed itself into this beautiful museum of reptiles called Antigua Exotic. A dentist by profession and a fire fighter for 20 years, Dr. Mazariegos’s passion for reptiles and amphibians has continued to grow. At first his abilities were known only to the people around San Felipe, then gradually people from far and wide came to know of Dr. Mazariegos’s reptile-handling, -preserving, and -bite-treating skills, and they started calling him when in trouble. In April 2006, Dr. Mazariegos, his wife Flor De María, and their son Danny formally opened the first reptile and amphibian rescue center in Guatemala. Being the only one of its kind in the entire country, their hands are quite full.

Their work includes rescuing animals that are brought in or are being taken out of the country illegally, as well as those from the wild which slither their way into houses and shops. They also treat injured or sick reptiles, and release healthy adults back into the wild. Dr. Mazariegos tells us that his work, “involves the three R’s of conservation: Rescue, Recovery and Relocation. We rescue and recover reptiles and amphibians that have entered someone’s house, that have been found on the streets, or have been confiscated during illegal trafficking of conserved or prohibited species. This is followed by keeping the animals in quarantine for some time and ultimately releasing them back to where they came from – to the wild where they belong.”

Says Dr. Mazariegos, “We also train locals in the handling of these reptiles. But we have to be extra cautious about who attends these training workshops.” Unwilling to mention any specific incidents, he says with a word of caution, “We really have to make sure no animal smugglers attend these workshops, so we have to research the eligibility of the people attending well in advance.”

Antigua Exotic
Antigua Exotic provides tours of the reptile museum. And if you choose, you can take a lazy dip in the swimming pool after your tour; the pool is located within the compound. For interested visitors, a wholesome and sumptuous lunch can be provided. And, if you dare, the staff will drape a couple of non-venomous snakes around your neck, for a great photo op.

Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM,
Tuesday through Sunday
Address: Calle a El Guayabal No. 1C
San Felipe De Jesús
Contact: 7888-7106 / 4106-6756
antiguaexotic@gmail.com

Over the last few months, we’ve made a lot of changes to Qué Pasa and we plan even more improvements over the next few months. I’d like to thank our loyal readers who have contacted us about them. Their feedback has been very useful. We want Qué Pasa to be the best it can be for our readers! So, if you see something new that you love or hate, please let us know.

Everyone at Qué Pasa wishes you the very best for the New Year!

Sincerely,
Keri