We're two sisters who are craft book publishers and found ourselves in the midst of an avocado grove. We bought this house where we planned to conduct our publishing business and in the deal got 4 acres of avocado trees thrown in. Now we're not only publishers but ranchers as well! This blog is all about avocados and anything else that strikes my fancy.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Sepia Saturday #127 Market Day in Chichicastenango

There's no better market in the whole world like the one in Chichicastengo, Guatemala. It's way up in the mountains in a beautiful village. Market days are Sunday and Thursday and sellers come from miles around trudging up steep hills with wares strapped to their backs, women with baskets of textiles balanced on their heads. Buyers come from all over the world seeking the beautiful embroidered huipiles (blouses), woven fabrics, pottery, carved wooden items, and much more.  Locals are more interested in the fruits, vegetables, spices and flowers.
(I apologize for the bad photos which are old and fading, kind of like the memories).



As you're shopping in the market, you smell a sweet smell and are enveloped in a kind of haze. This is the incense coming from the steps of the Santo Tomas church. Parishioners are swinging braziers up the steps and into the church leaving an incredible scent that you never quite forget.



My ex-husband (who is Guatemalan), Barbara and I traveled throughout Guatemala in July of 1963. What a beautiful country it is, The Land of Eternal Spring.

We stayed at the most gorgeous hotel, The Mayan Inn. Each room has its own fireplace and you're assigned a man who lights the fireplace every morning.


The rooms were all appointed with colonial style antiques and fresh flowers. Time Magazine did an article years ago about the 10 best places to take your mistress, and the Mayan Inn was on the list. Mainly because it is so remote, no one you know would ever catch you there.

Here I am wearing one of the huipiles that I purchased at the market. My ex and I are relaxing in front of the fire.


Here's Barbara peeking through the door from her room.



To get a taste of the market, check this out.



To visit other markets or related stories, click here:  Sepia Saturday







16 comments:

  1. I was there too...many years ago. It was enchanting. I wish I had pictures like you do. I can remember feeling very tall at that market and I remember the church and the items on the altar. Great post.

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  2. Wow! The Photos Are Great!Vivid & Vibrant! Thanks For Sharing.

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  3. I have just 2 words: Road Trip! I've never wanted to go to Guatamala until NOW thanks to this post.

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  4. Great photos of a trip that must have been a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the video, too, although I kept expecting to see contestants from "The Amazing Race" run through the street with their backpacks on. Marketplaces are a big part of that show.

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  5. The market looks like it would still be fun to visit.

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  6. How totally interesting this has been! These are the best markets!

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  7. My Dad visited Guatemala in the 1980s, and from the way he described his trip, this is just how I envisaged it. He described travelling through a lot of hilly countryside with goats tethered on the verges, and many, many people walking, probably to the market. He even brought back an embroidered shirt for me - sadly, my increased girth means that it no longer fits very well (okay, I'll admit it doesn't fit at all!) I think I fancy a trip there some day. Thanks for the re-introduction.

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  8. I had never heard of Chichicastenango until today but have now done some "googling" and think it should be on my 'places to visit' list. Thankyou.

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  9. What a wonderfully colourful market, definitely a place to seek out. I love the ornate fireplace in your hotel room, I can imagine that would look marvellous lit.

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  10. Lovely photos and a vivid description of the marketplace. I can almost smell the incense too now.

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  11. Oh, Nancy! What a spectacular post full of your special memories. My Mom, daughter Kristin and nephew Ethan go on a medical mission trip with Cascade Medical Teams each year (well, Mom went for 10 years, but has now retired from the deal). They go near Antigua and smaller villages. Mom has brought us back jade crosses and little coin purses that she bought at market. I really loved learning about Guatemala on your post.

    Kathy M.

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  12. I know nothing about Guatemala but your pictures captivated me; places like that never fade from your memories.

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  13. What amazing travel experiences you have had - I would never have thought of traveling to Guatemala. I loved your statement, "I apologize for the bad photos which are old and fading, kind of like the memories."

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  14. I never expected to visit Guatemala this week!

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  15. Thanx 4 the exotic tour!!
    This is great to be able to partake into this.
    :)~
    HUGZ

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  16. What a great story teller you are - I could smell the incense and envision the church. Regarding your fading photos - have you tried using photo software to enhance the color? It really makes a difference with old photographs.

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