"Market Day in Chichicastenango" Guatemala Travelogue by Ken_Weaver

Guatemala Travel Guide: 3,740 reviews and 8,163 photos

Overlooking all of the market is the mystical Iglesia Santo Tomas, a wonder example example of colonial Spanish architecture. You will find incense and other smokey odors either in the church or in front of it, done to drive away bad spirits--here the Catholism is mixed with indigenas pagan beliefs.

Color Everywhere!

Phot Credit: Nancy Allen

Two women eager to sell their beautiful flower from the steps of the church

Food Galore

Photo Credit: Bob Rorabaugh

In addition to all of the textiles and flowers there is lots of food either ready to eat or ready to go home like these bags of corn and other grains that I'm looking at.

Chicken Buses

Chicken Bus

One of the most popular means of travel for the farmers is the Chicken Bus, called so because it is very common for farmers to bring chickens to market holding them on their laps. I have seen pigs, ducks, and goats also on the buses. Most of the buses began their transporation careers carrying North American children to school everyday....for about 20 years or so. Once the North American school districts decide that the buses are no longer practical, they are brokered out and sent to Central Armerica for another 20 years of use! Only first, if you are truly in the culture, you the bus owner will name the bus and put the name on the side or on the windshield in metallic letters....Many of the buses have Biblical message emblazed on them ....I guess to encourage you to ride in faith. It appears that the drivers do their own mechanical work and tire tread never seems to be a concern. Often there will be a young boy hanging out the folding door to wave your vehicle to the side so his bus, which happens to be passing another vehicle at that point, will have room to avoid colliding with you!

Helen and Stephanie

Shop On!

Two ladies in my travel group are getting ready to buy some of the beautiful textiles. I bought table cloth that is 144 inches by 60 inches for 150 quezales or about $21USD. The quality is incredible and if I could find one in the US of comparable color, size and quality, it would cost $300USD.

Local Boy in Door

Photo credit: Nancy Allen

As we were walking from the hotel to the city center we passed this house and my friend, Nancy Allen, captured this wonderful picture of a young boy who had just gotten out of bed.

Leaving the Market to Continue our Journey

Iglesia Santo Tomas as seen from the other side of the market. We left the market late in the afternoon to continue on to San Juan Cotzal were we would be helping build a new community named Belen. Learn more about this project at my San Juan Cotzal Page.

Page Updated Aug 15, 2003
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Reviews (14)

Comments (28)

conejita71 Jun 3, 2009 at 5:02 PM Report Abuse

cool page Ken... if you want visit my country, check it out :www.elsalvador.travel
Pawtuxet Jan 7, 2007 at 5:16 PM Report Abuse

OK, I'm ready to go find those weavers. I'd probably get myself in trouble buying too many things from these beautiful textiles. Looks like an interesting trip. Enjoyed the page.
galy Jul 1, 2006 at 8:44 AM Report Abuse

Great page ken, sad stories of the Ixil
Hermanater Mar 23, 2006 at 3:17 PM Report Abuse

Central America is one of the greatest places to explore......I would love to retire there someplace....great pages.
VeronicaG Mar 16, 2006 at 4:24 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the glimpse of Guatemala--it looks like a very interesting country!
SerSol Mar 16, 2006 at 8:13 AM Report Abuse

Hola Ken. Tanks for sharing such an interesting and beautiful places at Guatemala. Maybe our next trip will be in that direction.Hasta pronto. Sergio
HEMG59 Mar 14, 2006 at 6:56 PM Report Abuse

Bueno, Guatemala es muuyyyy parecido a Mexico, interesantes historias !
FletteMette Feb 20, 2006 at 2:38 PM Report Abuse

I'm glad you enjoyed my Bergen page... :o) Guatemala is on my "must-go-there-soon"-list - and your intro to the country was really interesting! Loved the pic of the smiling lady.
roamer61 Jul 9, 2005 at 12:47 PM Report Abuse

Hi Ken. I like your pics of the people of Guatemala. In third world countries around the world, it is meeting the local peoples that frequently adds spice to ones travels.
windsorgirl Dec 22, 2004 at 10:13 AM Report Abuse

What a sad story of the Ixil people, but a wonderful photo of the smiling Ixil lady! Your humanitarian work is commendable Ken, all the best for 2005!