"A short visit to Chichicastenango" Chichicastenango by gordonilla

This is one of the frequent and usual stops for tourists. The religious side of life is obvious and the churches do have a mix of both RC and the traditional Mayan religions.

There is an excellent market - and bartering is necessary. Don't take the first price haggle, the locals expect it and if you don't they will take your money but think you are a little weird!

The mask was the first purchase - I had our host Dr Victor Calderon do the negotiations for me. I regret not buying two of them; this now hangs on my living room wall with a number of smaller Mayan masks.

The Mayan Inn for coffee

The group had had an early start to the day and stopped for breakfast en route. We ate at "Pedregal Santa Apolonia" it was excellent and the coffee was unbelievable.

The food was traditional and the service was excellent. Even at 10:00, the place was very busy and as we had some 10 people it became an adventure in it's own right!

We then travelled on through mountains and volcanoes. It was thrilling and the views spectatcular. Rock faces scraped out to obtain grit for washing pots and plates, friendly faces and large empty expanses of the country.

the mall

it was a very humid day and we were taekn inside to the indoor market. It was oppressive and the smell was.....well less than fragrant.