Beetles are high fashion

            Culture class today was fantastic.  We went shopping at La Casa de los Artesanos and Arte Chiapenco.  There was a lot of jewelry, hammocks, alcohol, and Mayan vanilla.  There was also a lot of zarapes, which are those Mexican blankets you always picture when you think of, well, Mexico.  We also stopped at a jewelry store to learn what a maquech is, and to try them on.  Mequechs are live beetles with jewels glued on them, and attached to a chain so you can pin the chain to your shirt and the beetle won’t leave.  I tried one on and I think it looked dashing.  They’re supposedly extreme high fashion, so I was surprised that they were only 200 pesos.  We discussed buying one as a pretty pet but it would probably be difficult to get through customs when its time to go home.  I didn’t have my camera at the time, but we plan on going back eventually to get pictures.