WHAT IS A GUATE-GRINGO?

HARRY THOMAS DANVERS

Truly, is seems that a merging of cultures of different languages and customs, is at best, impossible. I refer you to the Prince by Machiavelli. This could be dictated by climes; one cold and
one warm. Apparently this weighs heavily on they population on the population who inhabit these distinct regions. The former, of necessity retain a kind of remote hospitality, while the latter reflect
the cordiality of southern sun.
So be it. If we were allowed to sift time, place ad even cultures, I am a witness to this phenomena. That is because I came to Latin America to live, when I was not quite 23 years of age. I was born in the States; attended college and sailed merchant ships in between. But Guatemala ended up my last port of call and therefore I consider myself a Guate-Gringo.
It was here that I learned the art of living as well as the plastic arts at the ESCUELA NACIONAL DE ARTES PLSTICAS in Guatemala City. My wife was with the ballet corps and I was writing novels. I was lso introduced to the Popol Vuh, which many years later I did my own
translation. What a perfect paradise I found myself in, for now I was able to extend one art to the other. That is to say both literature and painting. My wife posed (in ballet tights) in the drawing class,
where I labored for seven years. It is slightly lamentable to mention that my teacher was Juan Antonio Franco; that Max Gaul was the director, that Zipacna de Leon was a fellow student or that
Tsso was present at all the exhibitions, since they are all dead now.
But what is life if not the merging of defined and undefined existence? Are we not the instance of creation? Our language barriers can be overcome with a little effort, so what remains is
the compatibility with one´s environment.
I am a Guate-Gringo because I am very happy in my Briar Patch. Here I found art and life, along with a legacy of history, which has kept me busy in investigating it. In short, if I were to define what Guate-Gringo is, I would have to say…someone who prays for the welfare of his adopted country.