The Guatemala Gringo stumbled across the following article while doing some research online and found it quite interesting:

“The Wanted and the Unwanted” by Mike Finewood

It is most definitely an intriguing read that analyzes how foreigners have influenced the community in Panajachel, Guatemala.

The article reads, in part:

What is significant here is the relationship between a largely international, western community and a strong, local culture of indigenous people.  What is the impact of one on the other?  When looking at this community, it is amazing to walk down the street seeing a man dressed in traje carrying a large load of firewood.  The firewood is bound by a strap on his back.  Another strap, called a mecapal, runs across his forehead to support the weight.  Behind him a dusty, new Chevy Blazer honks the horn to say, “I’m coming.”  This is an analogy to the world of Pana.  Globalization and westernization are coming, how are the people here going to handle it?  Are they going to get out of the way or flag the Blazer down for a ride?

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