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So here I am, without Amy, touring San Cristobal. The guidebook warns me not to leave the city center, because gringos are easy to spot and get mugged, which can be life-threatening. I'll be safe enough with a tour guide, though. I want to find one who will take on just me for the day (not a group) so we can do some unusual stuff.
This is the main square of San Cristobal. All the chairs and tables say 'Coca-Cola'. As you go further into remote areas, the last American cultural icons to persist are Bugs Bunny cartoon characters, and finally, only Coca-Cola remains. They must have a very persistent marketing budget. |
Shoeshiner. Spot the Coca-Cola. |
Off to one side is the main cathedral, with a Mayan-style huge wooden cross in front. Here's some eerie imagery. Blocking the church is a USA-style Christmas tree, where kids come to sit in Santa's lap. The entire thing is sponsored by (you guessed it) Coca-Cola. Business blotting out Culture, both in this photo, and literally. |
Isn't this church great? |
Indians come to San Cristobal by bus to sell handcrafts to the tourists. I bought some little 'Subcommander Marcos' dolls from the little girl. Marcos is the leader of the revolutionary movement. Can you spot the baby? |
There's lots of amber around here, and this guy wanted me to buy 'ambar con insectos' -- amber with insects embedded! Yuck! Instead, I offered him 5 pesos if I can take a photo. He holds out for 10 pesos. Merchants are very pushy here. Some little girls kept chasing me no matter how much I said, 'No, gracias!'. Of course I gave in and bought something. :) |
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