Our first stop was a high quality shop with both new and old folk art, textiles, masks and jewellery. A true feast for the eyes, and our first opportunity to really learn more about the process of weaving and creating of the traditional garments.
It was also the place where I commenced my shopping! The first (and maybe second!) purchases were gifts from the chichi shoppe...and easily more than everything else I spent during the rest of the day. I am quickly assembling a little pile of stuff on my bed, but after our trip to the market this afternoon (pictures to follow), I am ready to take a bit of a break. There will be more opportunities for more shopping, and more practicing of my bargaining skills! The rule of thumb is that if you are in a store with price tags on the items, it is not appropriate to bargain, but in the markets and other shops is it expected. Some of the stallkeepers can be quite persistent, so it can be awkward to get away. It is amazing how the price can drop when you start walking away...
Today is the weekend, so lots of people are in the city. Apparently people come down form Guatemala City on Saturdays, so the streets are busier, the market is popular, and some of the street are blocked to vehicles.
BTW, we did make it to the bank today....and waited outside at 9am. After 5-10 minutes, we realized that the only people lingering around the closed doors outside were wearing bank uniforms. And then we noticed a line of people forming along the other side of the building. Thank goodness we noticed fairly quickly, since the bank didn't open for almost half and hour all together.....but once inside things moved relatively quickly, and we were able to get what we needed done, despite our lack of Spanish.
But the bank is a serious affair. Check out this line up from later in the day.....
The other day we had noticed a bunch of parade floats sitting in storage....and today we happened by when the gate was open, so I popped in for some quick snaps. Pretty amazing for use just one day of the year...
This morning many of the ladies in the group went on the walking tour (we did yesterday), while Elaine and I shopped. We reconnected after lunch and ventured over to the handicrafts market and the local market. Simply fascinating! (First four photos taken by Lori)
...and now the local market....
Off to dinner soon, and then hopefully right to bed for a full 8 hour beauty rest. I really need it....in more ways that the obvious.
