"Must admit - not my favourite place on earth" Chichicastenango by Srechko

I came to Chichi while I was staying in San Pedro on lake Atitlan. Big market that takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays was advertised as a must see everywhere (inlcuding my guide book), so one day I took a chicken bus ( actually a few of them) and went to Chichi. I didn't stay long.

Entire town turned into a big market. Souvenir stalls were all over its center and the atmosphere was quite touristy. Luckily for me, there was a Maya celebration going on and they were performing unsual ceremonies inside and around their church. I found that much more interesting than market itself.

Food market

Market was annoying in the first place. I was not able to look at anything for longer than 2 seconds, at which time I would hear molesting voices "Amigo que te gusta?".... I still bought a few things, at the stalls where nobody put pressure on me and hang around the church and observed the atmosphere. I also ate at the local market where - naturally - I overpaid the crappy lunch.

• Pros:Strong Maya influence - good experience
• Cons:Annoying market vendors, dirty and dusty, tourist trap
• In a nutshell:Still good deal for shopping - if you have the nerves