"the traveling foodie" news and stories

Chichicastenango

Chichicastenango Market in Guatemala is one of the most vibrant markets in the country. Every Thursday and Sunday, vendors from around the region travel to Chici to set up varietal stands surrounding the Church of Santo Tomás. The assortment of food ranges from fresh produce to deep-fried chicken, and is available for only a few quetzales. ...

Rachel Been

A family of women make tortillas from blue- and white-corn masa, a dough paste composed of pestled corn. The women diligently pat out the thin, small dough discs throughout the day. Ten tortillas will cost you 2 Quetzales (50 cents).

Rachel Been

Fresh carrots and vegetables line the walls of the indoor produce market.

Rachel Been

At the end of one of the main roads, a group of women sell clucking hens and other animals such as dogs and turkeys out of woven sacks.

Rachel Been

And eventually those clucking chickens end up deep-fried in the market's dining area, served with fresh beans and tortillas.

Rachel Been

Fresh watermelons are covered with a plastic tarp that attracts swarming flies, apparently attempting to camouflage themselves as vagrant seeds.

Rachel Been

Women sell freshly cut onions in the indoor produce market.

Rachel Been

The market is so vast that for every item of produce, there are dozens of vendors offering the same food. Onions, avocados, carrots and tomatoes are some of the most popular items sold throughout Chichi.

Rachel Been

Outside of the produce market, vendors sell nuts and seeds out of buckets used for seasonings and snacks.

Rachel Been