Americans Flocking to Guatamala

PANAJACHEL, Guatemala It's a bad sign when a place is so well knownto tourists that nobody calls it by its full name anymore.

Nowhere is this maxim more appropriate than here in "Pana," thegateway village to Lake Atitlan in southwestern Guatemala. OnPanajachel's lakefront, overlooking Atitlan's glossy expanse andthree magnificent volcanoes arrayed across the opposite shore, anytraditional costumes worn by indigenous villagers are greatlyoutnumbered by the preferred costume of the youthful, wanderinggringo - trendy sport sandals, day pack, and baggy, multicoloredpants, available for bargain prices in every Guatemalan market.

I wonder if Panajachel's residents think …