Bargaining At The Market- Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
An artisan's market is located within the new Cruise Terminal at Puerto Quetzal.
December 26, 2013
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Today, we arrived in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. This is our second time here and we knew that we could get tour guides at the port.
“Hurry up, they are already lining up at the gangway.” I summoned Bert.“We need to be back by 4:30 pm and it will take more than an hour to get to Antigua from here,” I emphasized.
Antigua is the main attraction in this part of Guatemala. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. While Guatemala has 22 volcanoes, it has 23 ethnic groups with 23 different dialects. The native Mayans can be identified by their colorful traditional clothes, from bright blue greens, to indigo, red and orange. They are an absolute photographers delight.
As we got ashore, I was greeted by two Guatemalan ladies giving away some maps and brochures. Behind them were elderly men playing the wooden xylophone. Local music was being played on their instruments. Further behind, were rows and rows of souvenir stalls full of special Mayan textiles, attractive cotton blouses, colorful belts,blankets, t-shirts, rugs and many kinds of trinkets. The shops are all over the place and I was tempted to stop and check. I've seen them before, grabbed some of them before, and brought them home before. There's no way I was going to bring home the same crafts. But I saw some beautiful beaded bracelets that I thought might be good for my daughter Charelle and her cousin, Michelle. I picked-up the bracelets and just then Bert hollered, “ I thought we were going to look for the guide?” he asked. “Don't worry, I'm only going to take some pictures. Just give me a second,” I said.
Outside the port we found our perfect guide. He was tall and lanky and very dark skin. He spoke very good English. His name is Luis. He walked us out to the parking lot and we inspected his van if it was really air-conditioned. The driver's name is also Luis so we called our guide as Luis 1, and our driver as Luis 2. There were six of us and Luis quoted us US$35.00 per person. Bert got out of the van and asked a few more cruise passengers if they were willing to join us for a trip to Antigua. Soon there were eleven of us and our price was re- negotiated to US$30.00 per person.
Guatemala is one of the world's leading producers of coffee, and Guatemalan coffee beans are prized for their distinctively moderately acidic and fruity flavour.
The road to Antigua was well paved and clean. Our first stop was a coffee plantation. Guatemalans are very proud of their expertise when it comes to making coffee so we were excited to include this in our itinerary. We were the first to arrived at the plantation. At the parking lot, I was greeted by the same Mayan textiles and handicraft, even backed-up by two women doing a back weaving technique on their loom. “Oh no, not again, I am not buying anything,” I silently said to myself.
I ignored the ladies trying to get me to look at their handwoven table runners, bags and pillow cases. I went straight inside and pretended to check something that looked like ponchos. “They are not ponchos,” the senora explained while quickly grabbing a complete ensemble and putting it on me. She asked me to hold the sarong like skirt while she grabbed a beaded belt to complete the outfit. It was then that she realized that I still had my backpack on me and the belt and skirt wouldn't fit.
I giggled and found an excuse to ask for the sample coffee and walked away from the possible pressure to buy something. Bert and I are not coffee lovers. The strong bitter taste confirmed that we needn't buy any coffee bags. So we moved on to try the fresh cooked Guatemalan flour tortillas for a taste of the local cuisine. Guatemalan food is a combination of Spanish, European and Indian cuisine. An old woman was molding the corn tortillas in her bony and spidery hands and throwing them onto a hot traditional grill. We could taste the tortilla with its filling of beans, white cheese, and shredded cabbage with some chili, for just a dollar. Bert and I were excited to try and couldn't wait to eat.
Here is an idiotic episode of the tour. A woman tourist approached us and said, “ I don't want to eat any of those fillings. I don't know how to eat just the tortillas alone,” “Then why don't you just not put in any of the fillings!” Bert sternly replied.
With that, she walked away. I guess she didn't expect to get that kind of tip on how to eat a Guatemalan staple.
Weaving, baskets, pottery, wood carvings, and many other handmade crafts are very popular in Guatemalan culture. They are also known for their colorful textiles, many of which are woven using the ancient art of backstrap-loom weaving.
We arrived in Antigua shortly after we left the coffee plantation. It was a bright sunny day with white puffy clouds in the sky. Another tourist trap stop was the Jade Factory. It wasn't too bad because we were able to use the shop's washroom. We listened to the guide explain the different kinds of jade and how during the Mayan times, they were commonly used for adornment even in funerals. None of us bought anything because of the prices. From the jade factory we moved on to the market which was a walking distance from the central square.
``Cuanto custa `` I inquired from a vendor. ``Treinta dollares,`` she firmly replied. ``Disquento por favor, katorse,`` I bargained.
Here at the market in Antigua and elsewhere in Central America is where one can practice his or her bargaining skills. Not to be outdone, Bert,my husband, the ultimate cheap pilot, started his part. “I do not have a lot of money. I'm not a rich Gringo. How about ten dollars???”
I have heard this many times. This is his punch line. He continues to say something. Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. His shirt was soaked. It was super hot inside the marketplace and Bert continued to act like a poor famished Gringo. He was beginning to look pitiful and comical at the same time. It did not seem to work but the vendor started to laugh. She threw her hands up in the air and said, “Okay, ten dollars.”
At a nearby stall, he spotted a leather belt with the design of the colorful Quetzal, Guatemala's national bird. It looked really nice. I grabbed one that looked like it was the biggest and would fit him. He tried to loop it around his waist on top of what he is wearing. “Mas largo, Senora,” I asked. We need a longer one, this does not fit,” I explained. The Senora ran to the next stall and looked fora Canadian size belt. Alas, she got one and after some bargaining we happily walked out of the market and proceeded to the Central Square.
Here was the highlight of the tour for me. I was so delighted taking photos of the Mayans in their traditional garb. I managed to make friends with one whose name is Ruth Nohemy Sagche. She gave me here email and asked me to keep in touch and to send her a copy of the picture.
It may be a long trip to go to Antigua from the port, but making friends with somebody you just meet on the plaza made it all worthwhile. Don't you worry Ruth, I will send you your pictures and I shall keep in touch!
Comments
This was a hilarious read! You sure are travel experts! Haha From Althea, on Jan 1, 2014 at 03:38 a.m.
Absolutely Captivating Charlotte!! Love the Blogging.....I got a Chuckle out of the shopping at the market!!! Born 2 Shop... Till U drop...Lol From Kim Connelly, on Jan 5, 2014 at 02:58 p.m.
Lolol Bert!! Can I take you with me to the new Target here to shop?? Too funny and then we can all go somewhere to teach people how to eat a tortilla without the fillings...omg...that comment from Bert made me roar! Have fun guys..!!!!!! We miss Bert's crazy laugh at Yassirs!! From Marcelle, on Jan 9, 2014 at 05:20 a. m.