Chichicastenago Market

Off to the Market

We are told to be in the hotel lobby at 6:45am for the shuttle pick-up to Chichicastenago Market. The bus shows up at 7:30am. It is a two and a half hour trip travelling up and up and up.

We were tempted to take the local “chicken bus” to the market, just for the experience. The local bus is nicknamed the chicken bus because locals take it to travel to the market with their goods for sale (including chickens). The buses are like the old fashioned yellow school buses except with colourful wording and designs on them. We decide to take the tourist shuttle because the chicken buses stop in almost every small town along the way making it a longer trip than the two hour and a half each way shuttle.

I chat on the bus with a Polish guy and a lady from Singapore named Vee.

We stop for a washroom break. Because of the higher altitude, it is really cold out.

My arms are still really sore and slightly bruised from the deep tissue massage that I had the other day. I wince every time John grabs my arm to show me something. My bottom is a bit sore as well from yesterday’s horse back riding but my thighs aren’t. Fortunately John is not grabbing my bottom.  At least I am not walking like John Wayne today…small blessings.

The Market

This market is the largest market in Guatemala. Vee joins us as we explore the many streets and alleys of the market.

The place is alive with the bright colours of embroidery, yarns, painted masks and handicrafts. Simply gorgeous.

Those Poor Chickens

There are different distinctive areas of the market place. There is no doubt when we are in the chicken area of the market. I watch a lady chop the heads off already deceased and plucked chickens…rather disturbing. Nearby women stand with live chickens in their arms. Somehow I don’t think they are being sold as pets. Click here for a video.

The Crowds

I step to the side as two guys run past holding a basket with a snorting pig. Poor pig.

The place is crowded with both locals and tourists. We are often jostled and shoved. It is easy to lose someone in the crowd. However, people watching just doesn’t get any better.

The more authentic Guatemalan food stands have tables within the crowds. We decide to go to a quieter more expensive restaurant. There are only tourists in this place.  My food is bland at best, but we are able to sit in peace before heading back into the market.

Near the Church

We make our way to the steps of a church where a lot of flower vendors are set up. There are even people selling petals. There is some talk of a Mayan ceremony on the steps that includes a lot of smoke but I am not sure exactly what is going on.

The nearby vegetable and produce area looks luscious and makes me hungry.

Chicken Bus

We meet some ladies from our hotel. They took the chicken bus and said it was fine but crowded and only got super bumpy during the last part. They said the chickens were strapped to the roof and that music was loudly played in the bus. It took them half an hour longer than our shuttle. I kind of regret not taking the chicken bus.

Heading back, the roads are really steep, often narrow with many sheer drops off to the side. As our shuttle driver carefully manoeuvres the serpentine curves and bumps, we are passed by numerous chicken buses, travelling with wreckless abandon, notes of Latin music wafting in their wake. Hmmm, maybe the shuttle isn’t such a bad idea.

Out for the Evening

We clean ourselves up at the hotel and head out to dinner at a vegetarian restaurant called Samsara. We order two huge glasses of blueberry kombucha as we wait for our meals.

As our meals arrive, I notice Vee sitting at another table. She joins us and we have a pleasant evening together

On our way home we notice a huge lineup in front of a restaurant.  It turns out to be a Little Caesars pizza place. Obviously extremely popular.