We broke off into smaller groups and explored the streets. There are no price tags on any items, because haggling is the way things are sold here. Susie taught us the perfect techniques for haggling -- laugh when they say a high price, and they´ll go lower. When they won´t go any lower, start walking away. It was funny seeing them react. "Okay, okay, here´s your best price." We were able to get some items for a very reduced price. Because Panajachel is very tourist-y, there are many older women walking around the street with wares in their hands and on their heads. They´ll find one person to target and will be very insistant on selling. "Bonita, no gracias", we repeat over and over. Nathan, Nina, and I went to eat at a smaller restaurant, and over the course of our meal we had maybe 7 people try to sell us knick-knacks. There was one lady that would not leave Nina, and she bought some bracelets from her. Two little boys and their grandma came up to us all at one time, they were very confusing, and it was strange to see that they were salesmen from such a young age. We gave them bread and they ran off happy.
While we were wandering the street, we heard someone say ¨BYU?¨, which was on Nathan´s sweatshirt. A young man who just graduated from there was running across the street toward us. He had a friend with him who graduated from Utah State! They were on a medical team. It was so wonderful to talk with them for a few minutes IN ENGLISH. They also knew our driver, Jorge. What a funny coincidence.
-Elsie Williamson
No comments:
Post a Comment