Guatemala, a land of handicrafts and culture of coffee and cocoa, wants to bring back many memories in its suitcase! But who?
A trip to Guatemala is a trip to the heart of the Mayan tribes and their very colourful habits. But it is also a journey full of flavors, since the country is a great producer of cocoa, coffee and even macadamia nuts. You can't leave Guatemala without bringing back some memories to your friends and family!
The Guatemalan craftsmanship
Photo credit: Flickr – JD Lasica
Guatemala is the Mayan land par excellence. Indeed, according to the regions of the country in which we are located, we can hear various Mayan dialects in addition to Spanish. Women generally still wear traditional hand embroidered clothing, and cooperatives are numerous in the country to help preserve this unique heritage.
If you want to bring Mayan fabrics hand woven, it is at the Chichicastenango market ( see on a map ) that you must return. This is the largest market in the country, which takes place every Thursday and Sunday. On the programme, hundreds of stands on which Guatemalan women walk to find the most beautiful Mayan fabric, but also jewelry, food, decoration, etc...
Mayan villages Lake Atitlan are also perfect to bring beautiful fabrics, but also hand woven coloured bags or shoes.
The full of cocoa and coffee
Photo credit: Flickr – NELO Mijangos
But we must admit that the best memory to bring back from Guatemala is cocoa. It is a sacred food for the Mayans, which was also the food of the Gods. Around the cities of Antigua and Lake Atitlan, plantations are numerous because the ideal climate. You can buy cocoa beans directly at the market, but also chocolate tablets manufactured locally and within small businesses.
Similarly, coffee grows easily on the shores of Lake Atitlan and all over Guatemala: after visiting one of the plantations to learn more about the process of making coffee, you can go back with a bag of local coffee, whose flavors are delicious thanks to reasoned and non-industrial plantations.
On this, good discovery of Guatemala and good tasting!
Main photo credit: Flickr – Zhu
Loading comments ...