Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
Chichicastenango's Market
If you're a big fan of outdoor markets, you'll certainly enjoy this one. In addition to the
crowds of vendors and potential buyers you'll find a dizzying array of good-quality weav-
ings, pottery, fabrics, gourds, and masks, to name just a few. On the stairs of the adjacent
church of Santo Tomás, you'll see Mayans waving incense burners, filling the air with the
pungent smell of corozo palm and adding an additional aura of mystique to this chaotic
market that is a feast for the senses. There are certainly more authentic indigenous high-
land markets, but what makes Chichi unique is its accommodation of visitors' needs and
desires for traditional handicrafts into a twice-weekly event (Sunday and Thursday) that
would otherwise continue undeterred for the benefit of the locals it has always catered to.
Most of the better handicrafts are found in the central part of the plaza, but be prepared
to rummage through piles of lesser-quality stuff, which is readily in abundance. In addition
to the main part of the plaza, there are stalls peddling tourist-oriented trinkets along the
streets to the north of it. The streets to the south and the centro comercial on the plaza's
northsidearehometotheeverydayitemsvillagerscometomarketfor,includingfruitsand
vegetables, clothing, spices, household items, and baked goods. As in all of Guatemala's
markets, haggling is in order. The best time to get a good deal on anything that might have
caughtyourfancyisafter3P.M.,whenthemarketstartstowinddown.Youcanoftenscore
substantial price reductions simply bywalking away and feigning disinterest. It'sall a very
complex game.
Return to HIGHLIGHTS
Iglesia Santo Tomás
The town's oft-photographed church dates to 1540 and is the site of syncretic Catholic-
Mayan rituals both inside and out. On the steps, you'll find chuchkajaues —indigenous
people at prayer, swinging incense-laden censers (usually just metal cans punctured with
holes) and reciting incantations. Take care to enter the church through the side door to the
right,asthemainentranceisreservedforreligiousofficialsand chuchkajaues. Insideyou'll
find an astounding number of lit candles lining the church floor along with pine boughs
and offerings of liquor bottles wrapped in corn husks, flowers, and maize kernels in re-
membrance of departed relatives, some of whom are buried beneath the church floor. Pho-
tography is strictly prohibited inside the church.
Found beside the church is a monastery, where the Popol Vuh Mayan book was found
among church archives by Spanish priest Francisco Ximénez in the early 18th century.
On the west side of the plaza is Capilla del Calvario, another whitewashed church
somewhat likeaminiature versionofSantoTomásandwithmuchthesamefeel.Thereisa
 
 
 
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