Chichicastenango, Quiche, and Consequences of Street Food

(Photo, Public Square, Quiche)

After a series of five different local buses, John and I traveled from Lake Atitlan to the Department of Quiche, an indigenous area of Guatemala, altitude of 6,500 feet.

(Following photos, Chichicastenango)

John and I visited a library in local Chiche on Wednesday afternoon and spent the evening in Chichicastenango (Chichi), the largest town in the area. Chichi is known for its large market, held twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. Wednesday night we walked through town accompanied by loud music and fireworks in celebration of the Christmas season. We sat at a local food booth, as we had before in other areas, and ate fresh pineapple, pupusas, lemon pie, and a delicious hot chocolate oatmeal drink.

I suspect it was the "salada" on top of the pupusas that did it. I brushed mine off, John ate his. Poor John. Anyhoo- that night was a rather strange experience. Did you know that the sound of many roosters at night can sound like souls crying out, burning in hell? And that fireworks at 3 a.m. are more annoying than celebratory? Tie together with a heavy string of nausea and tummy troubles. A good ("good") travel memory.


Next day started with white bread and black coffee. We didn't have much heart for shopping but managed to buy two things, a set of place mats/napkins for John and a shawl for myself. Now I wish I had bought more, but I didn't have the appetite at the time.

If you ever have the chance, Chichicastenango is an incredible place. Go in early December and you will encounter few tourists and can catch some of the Christmas celebration.