Guatemala: Coffee Porn (video clip and photos)
I've been traveling throughout Guatemala since early November. On the days I spent in Antigua, each morning, the second-story room where I stayed filled with the most luscious roasted coffee smell. Surely there is no incense more fragrant, no perfume more enticing, in all the world. I followed the scent-trail downstairs and discovered a neat little cafe run by a very nice guy named Fernando.
He roasts local beans every morning, and brews amazing coffee there. Rich, foamy, just the right ratio of bitter to sweet. And you can buy a desayuno tipico for like $3 or so... tasty breakfasts with handmade tortillas, black beans, friend plantains, and eggs however you like 'em. Oh and KILLER COFFEE.
I shot a little video with a tiny handheld camera (Canon SD630 Powershot), and took a few stills. Not the greatest quality, but hopefully you get a feel for the place. I wish you could smell it, though!
Link to video (2:30 long, in Flash or Quicktime -- on Revver, where they're revamping their whole site UI today...). Link to Flickr photoset: Fernando's Kaffee.
If you're in Antigua, stop by and please say hi for me. The people there are really cool. Fernando's Kaffee is right on the corner of 7a Avenida Norte and Calle Campo Seco, near two budget class hotels popular with North American tourists: Posada La Merced, and Casa Cristina (both of which offer free WiFi to guests, btw).
Technorati Tags: antigua, coffee, guatemala, photos, video
Labels: Guatemala
10 Comments:
Hey Xeni,
words can't express how awesome it is for you to do what you're doing. To go to my native land of Guatemala, and give us peeks into what life is like down there is great. I was born in the capital in 1974. My mom's family lives in Zacapa and Chiquimula. I don't know if you'll get to go there. Keep up the great work, stay safe, and keep those pictures coming! Thanks!
Chris
Chris, thanks so much for reading! I haven't had an opportunity to visit those two places yet, but hope to! Saludos!
Xeni: Thanks so much for immortalizing our friend Fernando, who offers just about the best desayuno (most cost-effective) and second-best coffee in La Antigua. (Sorry Fernando, but the brew at El Viejo on 6th Ave across from the Spanish Embassy is a bit better.) Those nearby posadas are making him a fairly prosperous guy.
When we drove into Guate a few weeks ago, we passed a small town somewhere near Huehuetenango where an open tin-roof shed was filled with hand-fabricated coffee roasters like what you video'ed, stacked high. Fernando was frantic to find exactly where, as he needs more roasters. I don't know if he's tracked them down yet. Wish him luck, eh?
Oh man, I almost stopped at el Viejo for coffee.. I'm sorry I didn't while I was in town! Oh well, next time (which will be soon).
Fernando's coffee!
I was in Antigua about 3 years ago and became addicted to the banana granola yogurt thing he makes with the strawberries. Ridiculously nice. Especially washed down with an espresso.
Fernando gave me a barista's course and I still remember the lessons each morning. A true gentleman!
Xani
Been enjoying your blog. You have a good eye for a story, and an eclectic palate. It's good to see social issues juxtaposed with everyday tales.
Fernando is a good pal of mine, but I don't have his email so give him a big HOLA and say his mate Iain from England (I write the Rough Guide Guatemala) will be over in late 2007.
Iain
Ps did you try his girlfriend's cakes that they sell at the cafe? mmm...
Thx for inmortalize my native land, more info about da place Here
That must be amazing, Guatemalean coffee is my favorite... I am very jealous, ha-ha. The only thing is with the history of exploitation of the Guatemalan farmers and workers, I'm always worried when I buy coffee in the U.S. that I'm unkonwingly supporting poor treatment of the workers. Kepp up the great work!
Xeni,
You're doing what I wish I could have done 3 years ago. Here is a link to an article I wrote about my experiences following around the folks at FAFG. They probably remember me as the strange gringo who spoke very little spanish!
Fernando's is a great place. I have fond memories of the man and the cafe.
Guatemala has a way of getting inside you and it seems you've found a bit of the magic that makes it special.
If you get a chance to go back, check out Todos Santos in the highlands.
All the best,
Mark
I used to work at jardin bavaria, which is like 5 doors from fernandos and i remember everytime he roasted his coffee the whole street would smile like it.
glad to hear everything is still normal over there. i left antigua 4yrs ago after living there for 2yrs. fernando still looks the same and so does his place. thanks for the video, it was like a piece of home :-)
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