Guatemalan Barbie Dolls & Creativity

Today we want to share with you an exciting, creative, and new work of art that Indigenous Maya have come up with.

Guatemalan Barbie Dolls! Rather, Barbies or dolls dressed in traditional Guatemalan clothing!

I first saw a photo of some barbies and read a blog about these beauties a few months back but provided no information on who created them and where one can be purchased. Being that I lived in Antigua, the top tourist destination of Guatemala with TONS of arts/crafts/souvenirs at hand, I never saw one Barbie in traditional clothes.

In fact, since I made frequent trips to Guatemala as a child (since my dad is from there and I still have family here) and since my dad travels to Guatemala nearly every month bringing back 'artesanias' (handicrafts) for us as gifts, over the years not much has changed. I remember in the 4th grade my dad would bring back bunches of Guatemalan friendship bracelets like the ones below, and we would give some away to our friends and in fact SELL them to our peers. My brother and I started a trend in Elementary school with these things.

But like I said, not much has changed. The same exact bracelets, bags, pens, keychains, sandals, etc. that I saw 20 years ago are still being sold to tourists. Not that there's anything wrong with that, however, Guatemalans are falling behind the time and technology. But there's hope! Guatemalans are some of the most TALENTED and CREATIVE individuals I have ever known- and I've traveled to many parts of the world. They are extremely resourceful, even making trash into treasure. I guess when you're dirt poor your imagination and desperation to survive kicks into high gear. Thankfully, even what they produce from trash, wood, or wheat- comes out amazing. Take for example this young man and a tree stump. Look at what he created, so elaborately!

Then there's my friend, Emilio Tah, who takes ordinary things and turns them into fashion:

Fortunately, many artisans are starting to design modern things like:

Sneakers with traditional material

Heels

iPad Covers

Flats

Phone Cases that are hand painted

Wedges

Barbie Dolls in Traditional Dress

The Barbies in particular I'd like to feature, because the ones we have come directly from a women's association that also make up a folkloric group. As a folkloric dance group, they would wear beautiful, traditional outfits and they decided to put those same outfits onto dolls and sell them. It has been a HIT! Please meet the individuals who created the Guatemalan Barbie Dolls:

BY THE WAY! If you're in Southern California between August 30-2 September, I'd like to invite you to the Los Angeles County Fair BECAUSE, the OPENING weekend we will be showcasing the Latin American Culture with many artisans who make this stuff, from all over Latin America. They will be located at: PLAZA DE LAS AMERICAS inside the fair. You can buy their products without having to travel to Guatemala! The dates of the Latin American Festival is August 30-2 September (opening weekend). Don't miss live shows filled with exciting folkloric dancing and Latin food!

Shoes: Corazón Maya

These items and more can be purchased at our online Etsty store and you can get 10% off on any items purchased when you use the following coupon code for the month of July: DOLLFACE

Good Food, Great Prices

                                          

Today's post is mainly geared for people already IN Antigua, Guatemala- expats primarily but also for those tourists who want some good, cheap, Guatemalan food.

I have discovered 3 cheap Guatemalan restaurants (they all deliver!) in Antigua that are SOOO yummy that you MUST try!

"A Lo Chapin"
 6ta. calle poniente #26A, 03001-Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepequez
7832-9143 &  4739-4678

A Lo Chapin is a Guatemalan restaurant with a daily menu that changes that comes with a house drink which is usually some Hibiscus Iced Tea (Rosa de Jamaica), Tamarind juice, & Lemonade mixed with a juice of a fruit known as CHAN which tastes similar to Guava but has black seeds. Here's a picture that may scare you or intrigue you.

The food is pretty good & also pretty cheap! I'm talking about $3-4 a plate with drink CHEAP! They post their menus daily on their Facebook page. All I know is that I've had the BEST pollo horneado there hands down! Oh and the best Rosa de Jamaica drink & the yummiest horchata. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they make all their natural drinks themselves & all their ingredients are freshly bought from the local mercado. Here are a few photos:

"Restaurante y Taqueria El Faro"
2nd Avenida Sur #2
(one block from the La Union Tank)
7832-4324
Hours: 9am- 9:30am

There are a lot of Mexican roots in Guatemala. This restaurant is a Mexican hole in the wall restaurant and their food is also VERY good and VERY cheap! They too have a menu for the day's special. Otherwise, their tacos are great & burritos are SUPER! Big & tasty. My husband loved the Nachos MORE than Monoloco's b/c he said these nachos have more meat rather than a bunch of gunk that Monoloco has. When my husband & I first ate here we got the 2 meals below and 3 'gaseosas' (sodas) and the total was 69Q ($8!!!). I've tried looking for info on these guys online to order from them or just get any info but there's NONE! So that's why I'm writing about them.

Delivery: They deliver with a minimum of 50Q (expats take note).

Super Burrito 25Q ($3)

Nachos

"Cafeteria La Concepcion"
4a Calle Oriente 61 "B" Antigua, Guatemala
(At the exit of Antigua, last building on the right- white wall)
4361-8810
Monday-Friday only

This place is special to me b/c I fell in LOVE with their steak sandwich. It not only came with a side of french fries, but a salad piled with avocados. It was DELICIOUS! Husband approved. The 'pan' (they call sandwiches "panes" here) is really big too. They ALSO have daily lunch specials for 35Q ($4). They do breakfast, lunch, & dinner. Last Saturday I wanted to take my husband to try the food b/c he loved my cold leftovers (the steak sandwich) so I wanted him to try the food freshly made. BUT....it was closed!!!!! They are only opened Mondays-Fridays. I've recommended this restaurant to others and each one of them was very impressed with the food- even a friend of mine who was spoiled with great cooking by her ex-husband was skeptical until she tried it. So, TRY IT! It's on the way OUT of Antigua. So from Central Park face the Cathedral & Citibank (4th Calle Oriente). Walk up WITH the flow of traffic. Keep walking. You'll see a large fountain & a gas station. Keep going- go with the flow of traffic. You'll pass "Kristahl" laundromat, past Cafe Condesa Express- go all the way to the end of the street. Make sure you end on the right hand side. There, the VERY LAST BUILDING on that street on the right hand side, is Cafeteria La Concepcion.

Steak Sandwhich (pan de lomito)

Guatemala Safety 101

If you are considering a trip to Guatemala and check the U. S. State Department's travel warnings, it reads like the plot of an action film. However, how safe is it really in Guatemala?

Guatemala is a developing nation that has a lot of development, particularly in Guatemala City. Poverty is a sad reality that drives most petty crimes, but there are organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, that work in rural villages throughout the country to provide healthcare, education, & help meet all other needs. But when you arrive you will see that although many Guatemalans have little, they maximize very creatively the resources they do have. So while you may see beggars, you will mostly see individuals of all ages working by trying to sell fruit, produce, food, gum,  handicrafts, as well as see a few play an instrument and shine shoes.

Little Ana, 5 yrs old, selling bracelets to us

There are specific locations throughout Guatemala that we call a "bubble" that does not see the type of crime found commonly in major cities throughout the world. Antigua is one of these bubbles. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and because of this, the municipality of Antigua strives to keep the town in tact, safe, and since it attracts tourists from all over the world it generates more income for the locals who live there and in surrounding villages. Additionally, Guatemala was the first country in Central America to institute the Tourism Police. These officers work to serve the tourist with safety & information.

Below are a few common-sense tips for safety while traveling through Guatemala:

- Don't bring valuables unless you have to (i.e., expensive cameras, watches, jewelry, laptops, etc). It's ok if you bring your smart phones, tablets, & mp3 players because they are small and after all- most of us still want to have internet access to upload photos or keep in touch with family back home.

- If in the middle of large crowds for a festival (like Semana Santa), put nothing in your pockets & don't carry any bags. Just leave them in your room.

- Don't hike alone even if you're with a group of tourists. Hire a local guide or better yet, go through a travel agency that provides armed security and a local guide.

- Don't walk around in the wee hours of the night.

- Don't carry a lot of cash. Most establishments in Antigua take major credit/debit cards. I recommend you get a pre-paid Visa card and notify your bank that you will be traveling. Traveler's Cheques are no longer accepted unless you're using that check to make a deposit in a local bank.

- When arriving at the airport, there are official taxis. Make sure the cab you get in has an official taxi sign with an identification number on the sides. But most hotels, hostels, and Bed & Breakfasts can arrange airport pick-up for $35. So arrange airport pickup with your accommodations.

- Young women who travel alone & struggle with the local language, are soft targets. So if you're a woman, don't travel alone.

- Exchange money at banks. You will need 2 forms of identification. You can always check the current exchange rate HERE . Please note that only USD & EUROs are the only currency that Guatemalan banks will exchange. Also, if your bills are torn or wrinkled- they will NOT be accepted. 

- Shuttle buses (known as "colectivo"), first-class tour buses, & private drivers are the safest ways to get around Guatemala. However, it is also safe & encouraged to rent a scooter and visit the surrounding towns in Sacatepequez (the Department of which Antigua is a part of). But always travel during daylight.

- Carry a copy of your passport with entry stamp. Leave the original in your room.

Now that we've taken the precautions, let us help you plan your trip to Guatemala! This is a beautiful country with warm, caring, people and breathtaking beauty. Incidents are few & far between. We at Lost City Adventures make sure that you are taken care of. 

Email us now!