Handbag adventures!
Guatemalan recycled plastic bags piqued my interest from the moment I arrived in the Land of Eternal Spring in 2016. Like Guatemalan textiles, the bags represented the rainbow in an explosion of colors. My sociological curiosity led me to several observations: use of the bags crossed all social classes, the style of the bag ranged from a simple weave to complex patterns adorned with leather and handwoven textiles, and the bags were functional. When a group of friends gifted me a large, leather-lined, laptop bag, I felt as if I had been initiated into a society of Guatemalan women.
I followed the norm of carrying a recycled plastic bag when I had meetings in which I had to take my laptop, but soon realized that a smaller handbag, that I could use daily, would be more practical. I soon realized that a lot of people make recycled bags. Wanting to shop responsibly, I contacted the NGO that made my laptop bag. I searched their website and found the perfect color to match my wardrobe-brown with a blue tassel. I attempted to purchase the bag, but did not hear back from the socially-minded entrepreneur, so I continued my search.
I had been living in Guatemala nearly four years when one Sunday afternoon, as we were walking through the world-famous market in Chichicastenango, I noticed a family selling recycled plastic bags. I know that I have walked by that stall many times and never noticed the bags. Maybe it was the confidence of my four years in country, as I talked with the husband and wife vendors, I decided that if I can’t find the color bag I want, I will just make my own. I left the market with five bags, the vendor’s phone number, and their assurance that their family wove the bags.
On the long drive back to Guatemala City, my mind was churning as I thought about leather straps. I knew exactly where I had to go- Pastores, a small town just outside of Antigua, specializes in leather products. Danilo Galdámez made a couple of pairs of shoes for me and his wife María was especially helpful in selecting leather and textiles for the ankle boots. A few weeks later, with five bags on my arms, I arrived at the Galdámez storefront on Calle Real in Pastores. María and discussed leather accents while Danilo pulled out hides to coordinate with the bags. Remembering when my boys were little and cookie or cracker crumbs got stuck in the bottom of straw bags, I asked Danilo to put a leather bottom on the inside of each bag.
A month or so later, we traveled to the majestic Lake Atitlán, which is framed by the volcanoes Tolimán, San Pedro, and Atitlán. As I walked down Calle Santander on a weekend getaway to Panajachel, I noticed tassels and pompoms hanging from various stalls. While I normally prefer to buy directly from the person who made them, I admit that I bought a couple of exceptional pom poms. As I continued on a more determined search, I found a stall with a woman making tassels. She shared her contact information and wrapped up my purchases. I could not wait until I got home to match the tassels and pom poms with bags.
Although we repatriated to the US in mid-March, we did not receive our Guatemalan shipment until months later. When I opened the packing box with the bags, I was reminded of the many artists who I was able to meet during my time in Guatemala. I kept one of the bags and gifted one to my mother and my daughter-in-law. As I thought about what to do with the other two bags, I decided that I must share this beautiful example of Guatemalan culture.
To enter to win a bag, go to our Vista Tranquila Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/vistatranquilapublishers/ and leave a comment about your favorite travel experience. We will use a scientific technique to randomly select two winners. No purchase is necessary and we will cover shipping expenses. This giveaway is only available in the contiguous United States. The drawing will be held on August 10.
