Thursday was market day in Chichicastenango, aka “Chichi” for travellers and locals alike. For both visitors and sellers, the day started early and it involved a long bus ride uphill along twisty mountain roads.
I love markets. Sure, I usually don’t like to wander around raw meat stalls very early in the morning, and walking in packed alleys can be a tiring exercise. But markets, from Beijing’s Silk Market to France’s quaint Saturday food frenzy, tell a lot about a country’s culture.
It was a long three-hour bus ride from Antigua to Chichi. While the roads dramatically improved in Guatemala, the last part was a heart-stopping climb in the steepest mountain road you can imagine. The turns offered no visibility whatsoever and I had to mentally remind myself the driver probably knew what he was doing to prevent me from screaming. I was too sleepy for that, anyway.
Chichi is small rural town in the highlands that really only comes alive on market days. Still a major trading centre, Mayas from all the nearby pueblos make the trip twice a week. Parts of the market sell mostly souvenirs to tourists, such as carved masks and various objects made of the traditional Maya textile (bags, tablecloths, etc.). Unlike in many Asian markets, there are no fake brand names here and no clothes either but for the odd souvenir t-shirt. The rest of the market caters to locals who buy and sell chickens, cooking tools, fruits and veggies, etc.
In 2003, we finished our trip around Antigua and bought one of the big “Maya blankets” that we still use every winter in Canada. This time, with still over a month to go, we didn’t want to buy much. Our backpacks can only hold so much! Feng bought a small tablecloth and I got a scarf. This is my traditional souvenir. I have a thing for scarves—they fold easily and are comforting when it’s cold.
Buying souvenirs took us about 30 minutes. We kind of knew what we wanted and not much bargaining was involved. Unlike in Asia where it can last for half an hour, prices in Chichi weren’t as flexible. We were quoted a price (too high), we counter-attacked with another price (too low) and agreed on a suitable price at the third attempt. In total, we spent about $15 for the scarf and tablecloth. Fine by me, I’m not going to argue just for the sake of saving a dollar.
We spent the rest of the time in Chichi taking pictures. It proved tricky at first. The light wasn’t great (too bright and shadowy around the stalls) and streets were packed!
The colors are wonderful. I would love to have one of the Maya blankets. Some of the shirts look like they are covered with intricate embroidery. Great photos of the market people. The shot of the church over the top of the market stalls gives a nice feel of the place. Keep posting. I am enjoying your trip.
These blankets are thick but if I had room, I would have brought back a few for friends!
Latin American has tuk-tuk too?
The Maya-style fabric is awesome.
Apparently, Guate has now! Funny, eh? They offer a cheap taxi service.
I forgot to wish a Happy New Year to you and Feng. I hope to meet you two some day.
Thank you! I wish you and your family all the best 🙂
Happy New Year Zhu and Feng! Enjoy the beginning of 2012 while on the road; in the meantime, I crossed over to Niagara Falls, ON and welcomed the New Year with your countrymen! 🙂
Ah, starting the year in Canada! I guess we will miss each other in Guate but hopefully we will be bale to meet somewhere in the North one day!
Happy New Year, Zhu & Feng!
Health and happiness to you both.
Markets are the coolest places when you are from out of town. You are right; they represent cultures pretty well.
Beautiful colors,textures and expressions in the people.
Take care.
Thank you! Markets are worth visiting and are often a photographer´s dream!
Happy New Year Zhu & Feng 🙂
The souvenirs are so colourful and not forgetting the fabric as well. The butcher stall looks really typical like those find in Asian market 🙂
Have fun and thanks for all the lovely photos 😀
Thank you! I wish your family and you the best for 2012!
I love all the bright colours!
That’s what I like best here, it’s so colourful everywhere!