We woke up to the sound of very busy streets. After a great breakfast, singing and challenging message from Steve, we ventured out into the streets of Chichicastenango for market day. We stepped outside the door and boom there’s a booth! Guatemala’s market (the largest open market in Central America) was filled with more colors, smells, sounds and people then I could ever imagine.
So there we were, trying to keep track of each other while making our way to the bank on the extremely crowded streets. We got to the bank, stood in line and waited patiently for the bank people to exchange our money for Quetzales. The exchange rate down here is approx. 8 to 1.
With groups of at least four, we went down different streets to check out the booths, which pretty much held the same thing. Every bag, belt or piece of jewelry was unique though. Another thing unique about shopping in a Guatemalan market, is the bartering.
Some on the team are better than this then others, but we all managed to survive the pressure put on by the one running the booth. I had to test out my dickering skills when I attempted to buy a blanket. Between trying to understand the little bit of Spanish that I know, and calculating in my head how much I’m really spending, bartering with the Guatemalans is not an easy task. One leader on our team, Bob is quite experienced in this. It’s fun just to watch the bartering with Bob and the natives.
After we were all tired of walking and ready to go back to the house and hang out for a while, dinner was served. I’ve been told to note how good that the food is here. Tonight we had steak (very good), rice, corn, bread, salsa, guacamole, and ice cream. (which Brianna decided to thoroughly enjoy...)
Right now, some are playing soccer and me, I’m writing this...obviously.
-Amy O’Dell
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