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.
No comments:
Post a Comment