(Church ruins in Antigua)

We all slept in today, it is quiet here and we were exhausted. Around 10am we did some shopping in this small town and found a laundry to drop off our dirty clothes. We headed back down the hill into Antigua and spent the day walking and shopping.


I thought I was a marathon shopper but Patti left me in the dust. I hit the wall and had to get out of the market and away from the sales pitches.

Mimi and I took a Tuk Tuk back to our jeep and found the road up to an overlook called Cerro del Cruz. It has a great view of one of the 3 volcanos that surround Antigua, Volcan de Agua, and down to the city as well. There were a lot of clouds and it was rather overcast so the pictures are not as clear as I would have liked. Still, it was an impressive site as this is a really huge volcano and the city is right at its feet.

(Main cathedral)

The city of Antigua is truly gorgeous. I can't begin to describe the huge old doors and the thick walls and the beautiful antiques we saw inside houses turned into hotels and B&B's. Occasionally there would be a glimpse into a private home that was mind boggling, huge walls right on the street conceal enormous gardens and houses inside. More than anywhere I've been, it reminds me of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. I'd have to say that Antigua is in a much more beautiful and stunning location with 3 huge volcanos surrounding it.

The stores and markets are overflowing with hand embroidered and hand woven and hand carved and hand painted artesania. Beautiful stuff in a riot of colors that starts to just overwhelm your brain after a bit. The sales pitches are strong, it's hard to just look without having it thrust into your hands and the bargaining begin. I'm willing to bargain but I'm afraid I disappointed a lot of them when I just walked away from their prices even after they followed me and accepted my offered price which was usually half of their first request. I still felt they were a little high for the country, perhaps because there are so many tourists here.

(fountain in the main plaza)

Of course, I didn't walk away from all of it. I bought a few things, mainly a couple of king size bedspreads for the condo in Akumal and a couple of small tablecloths. We also got some small bags for things and odds and ends. Part of the reluctance is that we know we are going to Lake Atitlan next and the villages around there are where most of this is made. Still hoping for better prices as usual. I looked long and hard at some huipiles from various villages, gorgeous embroidery and not bad prices. I bargained a bit but then walked away, I would rather buy them at the village that makes them even for the same price if I am closer to paying the woman who produced them.

(closeup of the fountain)

My friend Karen, who is the guru of all things woven and embroidered among other things, told me huipiles were the thing to buy in Guatemala. At first I couldn't decide what I would do with them, it's not like I'm going to wear one. I've now figured out I can open them up and hang them on the walls in the condo. So, I'll buy one or two when I find what I want at the price I want.