The hotel in Chichicastenango was lovely, had a fireplace in the room, which I took advantage of to take the chill off the night air. I went to sleep to the crackle and pop of wood burning in the chiminea...lulled me to sleep quickly.

After breakfast on Sunday I took off for the market. Bought two cane ¨drums¨, a rain maker and was bargaining for maracas, but the people offering them thought I was an idiot with too much money in my pockets. On second thought, the maracas were painted brightly, and probably not with non-toxic paint, so it is best that I didn´t buy them, because the children at the orphanage put everything in their mouth, it´s a way of experienceing the world.

The day was bright and sunny, perfect for shopping out of doors. I even picked up a colorful belt for my sun and an eyeglasses retainer for myself among the many things I bought.

On the bus ride home I had to stand for about 40 kilometers, but the good thing about this trip back, as opposed to the one to Chichicastenango, was that the bus was packed like sardines and there was no where to roll around with the curves and the bumps. However, about 15 kilometers from Xela the bus abruptly stopped and everyone was told to get off and take another bus. In the confusion I forgot to get the package with all my purchases, so all was lost.

On the bright side, I have made a vow to myself to avoid these chicken buses, not because of the overcrowding, but because of the complete irreverence the bus drivers have for the lives of those that they are transporting. It will cost more, and I won´t get that ¨local¨flavor, but I hope to come back home in one piece, maybe even with some maracas.