Happy Handicrafter!

As I’m sure you all know, I’m a knitter. I love to knit, and I currently have two big projects started at home in NC, and a project here with me in Guatemala. I only brought my cotton yarn and my dishcloth patterns, because they are quick gifts to make. I gave Odilia her washcloth last week since we switch teachers every 2 weeks, and I have a new teacher, Flor, today.  Odilia really liked her washcloth! All these washcloths have heart patterns on them, and she said they heart on there would remind her of my big heart. So sweet! Although she said she wasn’t going to use it for washing, she was going to put a nice plant on it. Sigh. Haha.

Some of the washcloths

Anywho, I’m a knitter. There are so many places in Xela where I can buy yarn, but I have restrained myself. I asked Odilia last week if the yarn in the stores is mostly from Guatemala, and she said yes. She said that sometimes they have stuff from China or the U.S., but often the yarn is Guatemalan. That is the kind of yarn I want to buy!

Yarn seems to be so popular here because people use it to make the traditional Guatemalan clothing. Last week, we had an afternoon activity with Odilia, and she took us to the first Catholic Church in Central America in Salcaja (it is 486 years old!), and right nearby was a place where we could see how people make the traditional clothing. What a perfect outing for me!

The weaving loom we saw was impressive. It was on the top floor of a small house (on the bottom floor they ferment fruit! Haha) Here are some pictures of the loom:

I love that the fabric we see in so many stores is all made by hand (or by foot, if you will). The looms are mostly operated by feet, and with practice it doesn’t take too long to make a significant piece of fabric (sorry, I don’t remember exactly how long it takes).

I went to the San Francisco Market with Odilia last Friday, and it was incredible. First off, the place was huge, taking over blocks of this part of the city. Second, everything about it reminded me of the market in Saint-Louis, Senegal. Even the smells. Ah, brings me back. Anywho, this big San Fransisco market is only on Friday mornings, and the production is impressive. There was SO much traditional clothing. I was telling Odilia how when I was in Senegal, I bought a lot of traditional clothing. I want to buy some here, but if I buy anything, it will probably be only one item. I’m not here long enough or in the right capacity to buy a lot of clothing. I’ve never really been someone to buy something just for the sake of buying it (thanks, Dad); I want it to be useful. Clothing in Senegal was extremely useful- I wore it all the time, and it was especially awesome for teaching in the school. The girls loved my outfits! Here, not so much. But I do love the bright, vibrant colors of the fabrics. Here are some pictures of fabric that I took at the market:

Aren't these adorable?!?!

I love that everything is made by people, and their feet, often in their houses. I appreciate that, and want to support them. Let’s be honest, I’ll probably buy something before I leave! It was so great to walk around the market on Friday and see all the beautiful clothing and the detail work (embroidery, beading, lace work) on the fabric. Made me a very happy Christa.

A funny note about the San Francisco Market- we had to go up a mountain to get there, and the city itself had very steep hills. We walked up and down multiple large, steep hills while we were in the Market. Remind you of another San Francisco?! I literally laughed out loud on the bus at one point when we were arriving. Odilia thought I was scared (which I was, that old bus on those narrow, steep streets- I was terrified), but then I told her how the streets in San Francisco, CA were so similar!! Very funny, indeed. 

Miss you all!

Peace, Love and Smiles, 

Christa