Markets (plus third weekend pt 2 - Chichicastenango)

Weekend #3 Chichicastenango markets

So on Sunday morning we left the beautiful Lake Atitlan and headed off to the famous markets at Chichicastenango (or just Chichi for short!).

I have been to the markets in Antigua and found that in Chichi everything was pretty much the same! That's not surprising though, because the traditional crafts are woven textiles, or wooden masks etc and once you've seen one, you've pretty much seen them all!

A thing about markets is that there are no price tags. You have to bargain for a price, which means when you don't speak Spanish (like me) you have a pretty good chance of getting ripped off! The thing is, I don't mind paying a bit of extra money if it helps them out and supports their livelihood, but I hate getting a bad deal just because I'm a tourist. But I guess that's the way things work and in the end, it's dumb tourists like me that give them their business!

But anyway I have learnt to bargain and I think I am doing a pretty good job at it :) My friend Sarah on the other hand, is really bad and pretty much gives in after the first two prices! Hahaha. But yes, I've learnt if you just keep silent they will just keep reducing and I usually pay about half of what they said in the first place, which apparently makes it about right.

The thing that gets me is that these people never have the opportunities we do, they spend their whole lives making these crafts and hoping desperately that people will buy them. I've been followed into shops many a times by women or children trying to sell me things, and you often can't eat a meal without someone coming into the shop with some goods they are trying to sell (although in Antigua not so common). 

So seriously people, think about what you do have. I know you whinge and complain when the internet is not working, or your brother teases you etc. But these people have nothing - maybe spare a thought for them and realise how good your life really is. 

To end on a happier note, here are some pictures of some typical things usually sold at the markets.

Third weekend - Lake Atitlan

Weekend #3 Largo Atitlan 

Warning - this post is really long!

So this weekend (AUSTRALIA DAY!) we decided to go to the lake - I was told it is one of the places in Guatemala you just HAVE to go see! And that was right, it is absolutely beautiful.. 

The lake is huge, and apparently is the deepest in Central America, 340 meters deep!! It is surrounded by volcanoes and was formed by a MASSIVE crater aaaaages ago. It's 19km long and 10km wide.

We arrived in a shuttle bus ($10 each way, and this time it wasn't a crappy old ute :P) which took about 1hr 45 mins. When we got there, we booked a hotel and wandered around the village called Panajachel. Just in time for the sunset!

This is John, me, Erica, Margot and Desi. Dainia and Sarah were also with us! They are all fellow volunteers (except John, he is just travelling I think)

Aaaaand here is the beautiful sunset.

The Boat Ride

The next day we booked one of the boats and travelled across to the different towns on the lake.

Santa Catarina

We stopped over at a small village along the lake to see the Myan women weaving their traditional textiles.

Coconuts!!

This guy has been chopping coconuts in Santa Catarina for 35 years!!!

They chop off all the shell and then stick a straw in and voila! Instant amazing drink :)

Santa Cruz

This was our next stop - Sarah and I wandered off on our own and found the most tranquil setting ever. It was on the lakefront and part of a hotel, and we ordered some smoothies and relaxed for a few hours.

San Marcus

The exciting thing about this part of the lake was that there was a massive deck to jump off! I think it was 4 or 5 meters.

Margot, Dainia and me!

Margot jumping!

And me, of course :)

San Pedro

San Pedro was where we decided to spend Saturday night, it was full of hippies! The next morning we headed off to the famous Chichi markets.