Today after Spanish class, instead of going back to our house for lunch, we went to a restaurant in Antigua; it was called Monoloco. Our whole group ordered three plates of nachos that tasted very delicious and satisfying, only working out to about four dollars each.
After we devoured the nachos, we headed to an ice cream shop for more cheap and delicious food. I had amazing lime ice cream. We ate those on the way to Antigua's market, which was about five blocks away. We didn't get to do much on the tour of Antigua, so we decided to come back and do some shopping on our own. I have to cut back a bit on spending now because I spent a bit of money at the market. I bought a black, cool looking cowboy hat, and a machete that fits nicely into a dangly sleeve that says Guatemala on it. I also bought some stickers for my laptop. I now have all the countries I've been to: Canada, US, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.
Everyone else did a little shopping of their own, but didn't purchase anything as extravagant as what I purchased. It was similar to Mexico in that you were able to barter. I got my cowboy hat at almost 50% of the asking price and the machete was about 40% of the initial amount. The market is such a big lot of land, but there is so much stuff that it is all squished together. You got clothes here, CD's there, fruits and veggies everywhere. It was like a shopping mall, but outside. There were personal items for hygiene, cooking equipment, tools, and more. There were the touristy items: lots of jewelry, clothing of all shapes and sizes, bags, blankets, and hammocks. The bus depot of Antigua is just behind the market, the market a few blocks from our Spanish school, so we will have bussed to school Tuesday to Friday. After we finished shopping we paid our one quetzal (about 15¢) to take the chicken bus home. Their transit system seems so much more convenient than in Canada. I enjoy taking the chicken bus; you just get immersed into their culture. The chicken bus is a school bus where a bunch of Guatemalans (and gringos) pile into, sometimes three or four to a bench and the aisle full of people. The back of the bus is also full. People get on in the front door, or the back emergency door of the bus. They jump on and off at street corners, sometimes even if the bus is still moving; there are no designated bus stops, (I don't think). I am able to converse with the Guatemalans for about the twenty minute bus ride to and from Antigua, enjoying almost every minute of it; except the speed bumps, which sometimes make you sick. Although, the speed bumps can be fun. The chicken buses play Spanish cds (I love international music; especially latino) and when you go over the speed bumps it is as if you are bobbing your head to the music. Personally I think it is an awesome experience, if you don't mind people, being squished into a culture, and if you are not claustrophobic.
After we devoured the nachos, we headed to an ice cream shop for more cheap and delicious food. I had amazing lime ice cream. We ate those on the way to Antigua's market, which was about five blocks away. We didn't get to do much on the tour of Antigua, so we decided to come back and do some shopping on our own. I have to cut back a bit on spending now because I spent a bit of money at the market. I bought a black, cool looking cowboy hat, and a machete that fits nicely into a dangly sleeve that says Guatemala on it. I also bought some stickers for my laptop. I now have all the countries I've been to: Canada, US, Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.
Everyone else did a little shopping of their own, but didn't purchase anything as extravagant as what I purchased. It was similar to Mexico in that you were able to barter. I got my cowboy hat at almost 50% of the asking price and the machete was about 40% of the initial amount. The market is such a big lot of land, but there is so much stuff that it is all squished together. You got clothes here, CD's there, fruits and veggies everywhere. It was like a shopping mall, but outside. There were personal items for hygiene, cooking equipment, tools, and more. There were the touristy items: lots of jewelry, clothing of all shapes and sizes, bags, blankets, and hammocks. The bus depot of Antigua is just behind the market, the market a few blocks from our Spanish school, so we will have bussed to school Tuesday to Friday. After we finished shopping we paid our one quetzal (about 15¢) to take the chicken bus home. Their transit system seems so much more convenient than in Canada. I enjoy taking the chicken bus; you just get immersed into their culture. The chicken bus is a school bus where a bunch of Guatemalans (and gringos) pile into, sometimes three or four to a bench and the aisle full of people. The back of the bus is also full. People get on in the front door, or the back emergency door of the bus. They jump on and off at street corners, sometimes even if the bus is still moving; there are no designated bus stops, (I don't think). I am able to converse with the Guatemalans for about the twenty minute bus ride to and from Antigua, enjoying almost every minute of it; except the speed bumps, which sometimes make you sick. Although, the speed bumps can be fun. The chicken buses play Spanish cds (I love international music; especially latino) and when you go over the speed bumps it is as if you are bobbing your head to the music. Personally I think it is an awesome experience, if you don't mind people, being squished into a culture, and if you are not claustrophobic.
1 comment:
Keep up the good work.
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