Cuanto Cuesta?

When you ask a person, “How much is it?” in Panajachel, Guatemala.  The price is not final and there is some room for negotiation depending on the product. All vendors are dressed traditionally in their Mayan clothing, which includes a traditional skirt and a square over sized top with a belt.  Everything they wear is full of color including their head band, belt, top, and skirt. The men wear tribal pants, an apron looking skirt, and a long sleeved button down top with tribal colored pattern.  Everything they are wearing they are usually selling.  When they are selling an item, they are willing to negotiate, but what is interesting is there explanation of the origin of the product. They give you background stories on the item and always tell you the amount of time it took to make.  For example, mi amiga Ana selling a traditional Mayan shirt says that it took 6 months to hand weave the knit woven shirt.  They use many different colors when sewing producing weaves of beauty.  It is easy to believe that this cost 300 Quetzal because it took 6 months to make. 

Also, another vendor pointed out the time spent painting a handmade ceramic cross. He pointed out the detailing used when painting the various colors. When you buy something from Guatemala, it can be made my machine or made by hand.  When it’s made by hand, the price is more expensive and the quality is priceless.  One woman who had been coming to Guatemala for years said that she always buys everything hand made and she has never had one item fall apart, rip, or tear.  It seems to be very clear with the quality of work and the quantity of time.