Shopping in Guatemala

Big Macs:  Guatemala joined in the 50th birthday celebrations!

A translation of the company's August 2018 press release reads as follows:

"The Big Mac has conquered the hearts of Guatemalans and together they have lived great and delicious moments. This emblematic hamburger, which has transcended cultures and generations, is characterized as the favorite product of our customers and that is why McDonald's is celebrating its 50th anniversary, " said Paola Castañeda, Senior Marketing Manager of McDonald's Mesoamerica.

Who knew?  During the thirty six years of civil war, atrocities and corruption, people's hearts were living "great and delicious moments" courtesy of Big Macs.

Are Big Macs in Guatemala, cheap or expensive?  The answer depends on who you ask.  

According to the Economist's Big Mac Index website, a tourist from the United States gets a bargain.  In Guatemala a Big Mac costs 25 Quetzales.  At prevailing exchange rates that amounts to only $3.23, whereas back in the States it would cost $5.58.

For most Guatemalans however, a Big Mac is prohibitively expensive.  My Spanish language teacher listed the sort of daily wages, people can expect in different lines of work:

If you are a "campesino" making 40 Quetzales for a day's back breaking labor in the field, a Big Mac might as well be caviar.

What are conscious shoppers to do in such circumstances?  Well, we can do ourselves and the locals a favor, by buying things that we do not strictly need.  Craft goods are not only beautiful, they are heartbreakingly cheap.

My scarf

It's fair to say that I am not known for sartorial elegance.  I have never spent a lot of money on clothes.  Nonetheless I am now the owner of a flamboyant scarf that any dandy would be proud of:

I was lucky enough to get to meet, Micaela Juavez, the weaver who made it.  

She told me that it took a a whole week, of mornings and afternoons, to make it.  Because it was purchased at a weavers' co-operative in San Juan La Laguna, she could expect a fair share of the sale price.  It cost Q175 - equivalent to four Big Macs or $22.

Humming Birds

For family reasons, depictions of humming birds have a special significance for us.

This hummingbird was made by a young woman with a heart defect.  Her medical problems may have been the reason why she was short, even by Guatemalan standards.  The proceeds from her craft sales were helping to pay for her medical bills.

"Chicken bus" picture

San Juan La Laguna is also home to a co-operative for Mayan folk artists.

It was tough to choose from all the wonderful work on display.  In the end we bought this "chicken bus" painting by Juan Perez Mendoza for Q1,200 ($155).

Ukulele cases

One of the problems facing local artisans is that they all make the same limited array of products.  Consequently they end up competing the price down to near zero.  Michele has been racking her brains to come up with an innovative design.  She hit upon the idea of commissioning a talented seamstress called  Debora Magali Gonzalez to make a few Ukulele cases.  Debora loved the challenge, and came up with cases that embodied design flair and craftsmanship.

Of course we are now the proud owners of several ukulele cases, that we do not actually need.  I think, if you asked her nicely, Michele could be persuaded to part with them at the bargain price (for this hand made item) of US$37.50 (C$50) - just sayin' !