Viva el color!

My Scholarship entry - A 'Place' I have visited

GUATEMALA | Sunday, 6 January 2013 | Views [202]

Caught taking a quick snooze in the square! I loved the contrast of the traditional Mayan outfit with her magnificent grey hair, sun weathered skin and the Western element of the easily recognizable global brand Coca Cola!

Due to the fact the Lake is formed by collapsed volcano, there is no supply of freshwater yet it is one of the deepest lakes in Central America. When a hurricane hit the area in 2005, it destroyed the sewerage system, and led to an outbreak of algae bloom in the lake. The daily laundry that takes place in the lake unfortunately continues to contribute to this algae bloom.
Having said this, I had never witnessed women as hardworking as the locals we met at the lake. From washing clothes at the break of dawn, to carrying huge loads on their heads, taking care of their children whilst selling their crops and products at markets, along with little medical care and primitive living conditions they survived. Each face spoke of a story of hardship, yet we were greeted everywhere we went with open arms, a smile and friendliness.

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Any traveller can appreciate the sights, smells and sounds of the local market. In this particular one, I was unfortunately too slow to snap a child playing inside a bucket of rice with his toy before his mother grabbed him and sold a customer a bag of it! However I loved this shot of the 3 girls on their way out of the market with their purchases. It amazed me the strength the women had to balance the huge baskets of goods on their head without a single complaint. Their companion, matching in her huipals, was trailing after them, dragging her bucket and singing to herself as they left the bustling market.

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Viva el color!

My Scholarship entry - A 'Place' I have visited

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