Looking for Guayabera Shirts in Masaya

Eric wants Guayabera shirts and he looked for them in San Juan del Sur.  This beach town are sells a lot of tee shirts, but not more formal types of shirts.  It's time to go to Masaya to look for Guayabera shirts as this area is known for traditional Nicaraguan crafts and clothing.

We park the car at Mercado Viejo (Old Market), a major landmark in Masaya.  Benito agrees to watch the car for us.  Eric tells him we are looking for a Camisa Guayabera (Guayabera shirt) and Benito recommends the Mercado Nuevo (New Market) because the prices are better there.  It is four blocks away from where we parked.

As we approach the New Market, Alberto approaches us and asks us what we are looking for.  He tells us that he know the vendor that sells this type of shirt.  This market appears to have grown organically.  Many of the stalls look like lean-to construction with corrugated metal walls and roofs.  The aisle between vendors' booths is very narrow.  In some sections, the floor is mud and in other sections the floor is concrete.  Alberto tells Eric to watch his pockets.

Doors for sale

You can bring home a
chicken to roast.

Fruits, sodas,

shopping bags & more.

Select some beef
for dinner.

Sunglasses, pinatas &

all kinds of  "stuff."

Just as I tell Eric that I think Alberto is taking us on the scenic tour, he turns the corner and tells a woman that we are looking for Camisa Guayabera.  She asks the size and returns with an armload of shirts.  Alberto tells us, in English that there's a price break if Eric buys three shirts.  We select shirts in light blue, green and maroon.  Then we ask the price.... 750 Cordobas each or $30.00 American for each shirt.  This is way too expensive.

Eric hands the shirts back to the lady and starts to leave.  She offers the shirts for 400 Cordobas or $16.00 American, each.  It's a deal... Eric payed about $10.00 a shirt twelve years ago and feels that $16.00 per shirt is reasonable.  

Happiness is Guayaberas!

Almuerzo (lunch) at the Old Market 

is chicken, salad, rice & maduros 

(fried sliced plantains).

I found this school

desk.

I asked... the baskets

are made with real chickens.

A hammock 

for a doll.

Eric and I had a great time at the markets and enjoyed walking the streets of Masaya.

We are vigilant about pickpockets and this is the first time a native warned us to be careful.

We have found Nicaraguans

to be kind, patient, hospitable 

people who are happy to help

tourists. 

I believe Nicaraguans want visitors
 to have a wonderful time, to tell
 their family & friends & to return
 to their country again & again.