By Carrie Montgomery, age 12
As we strolled through the market in the small town of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, many fascinating sights, smells, and sounds clamored for our attention. We were surrounded by stalls made of crudely cut wooden poles with tarps spread on top which were designed to keep out at least a little water when it rained. Inside the stalls, vendors displayed multicolored fabrics that seemed as if they were rainbows taken from the sky. Women were purchasing clothes, shoes, hats, and accessories. We paused to admire the traditional Mayan clothing. A merchant demonstrated the beautiful earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelery that he had for sale. Purses, stuffed animals, pottery, and other trinkets were also crowded on the small tables.
As we slowly made our way down the narrow passages, it was interesting to notice the Guatemalan people scurrying about their tasks. A man staggered by with a load of burdensome bricks secured on his back by a head strap, and a lady passed us with a cute baby tied on her back with brightly colored cloth. We heard someone shouting, "Un quetzal! Un quetzal!", so we turned around to see a man selling frozen chocolate covered bananas. Children begged for cheap plastic toys while their mothers considered practical metal pots. People bargained about prices, and we could hear a child wailing in the distance.
When we turned the corner onto another road, delicious fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, papayas, strawberries, and oranges lined the sides. A man pushed a banana cart down the street. Nutritious vegetables proudly showed off their vibrant hues while we gazed at them hungrily. A grandmother sitting with her legs bent under her tried to sell carrots, onions, potatoes, and green beans. Smoke drifted from several cooking fires and brought with it tempting odors of chicken, tamales, tortillas, soups, beans, and hot drinks.
The rutted cobblestone streets underneath our feet made walking difficult, so we had to watch our step. Puddles lurked in unexpected places for it had rained the night before. Overall, the experience reminded us of a buzzing beehive filled with activity. Finally, when we were ready to go home, exhausted and loaded with bulging packages, a tuk-tuk came and sped us to our house.