Pleased to be in Pana
Trip Start
Mar 30, 2001
1
4
6
Trip End
Apr 15, 2001
Panajachel, Guatemala
Saturday, April 7, 2001
We spent the last 2 days at markets in different towns. The first, in Chichicastenango, was huge and colorful, but a bit more geared towards tourists (like us!) than locals. Today in Solola we witnessed a traditional market day where there was definitely some serious buying and selling going on. Vendors were hawking everything from tomatoes, mangoes, and beans to brooms, tin pots, baskets, and second hand clothing. Both days were great photography days, although we had to approach situations with discretion and respect, since many in these parts don't like to have their photos taken. I think today's most memorable image was a tiny woman dressed in traditional garb carrying a brightly colored bundle on her head and a big, white clucking chicken under each arm.
We are getting pretty good at negotiating the system of brightly painted old school buses, which provide very cheap and colorful transportation as we squeeze in with the locals. I love the way they are decorated up front with everything from ribbons and beads to stuffed animals, crucifixes, and even cd's hanging from chains and glinting in the sun. There is an assitant or porter-type guy on each bus who is quite adept at throwing luggage, crates, and bundles onto the roof rack and jamming passengers in as the bus starts to move. A very efficient procedure overall, with the bus rarely ever coming to a complete stop.
Hope all is well at home, despite the weather. Adios!
