Dear future World Racers and other world travelers,
This blog is to inform you of a very valuable resource that is often overlooked amidst the streets of small Central American towns: Las Pacas. You may walk past these little thrift stores dozens of times before you happen to chance an entry, but once you do-you will feel like a little kid going through a magical treasure chest.
During my squad’s last weekend in Quiche, Guatemala, several of us discovered these unsuspected treasures and stocked up on all kinds of goodies to take with us for additional warmth and a few extra stylish (according to WR standards) pieces to add to our wardrobes before heading to Honduras.
Let me start with some steals of my own:
Piece #1: lightweight zip pullover
- Price: 10 quetzales ( $1.30)
- Design: black & white photos of a laundromat all over it; roll up sleeves; partial zip up front
Piece #2: grandpa flannel
- Price: 5 quetzales ( $0.71)
- Design: worn, extra comfy flannel; mud brown color gives my outfit an earthy feel; cozy warmth for cool nights in the mountains; single button re-sewn on backwards makes a unique “I’m special” statement
Piece #3: green stretch sweater
- Price: 10 quetzales ($1.30)
- Design: bright green color makes my eyes pop and adds color to my generally neutral-colored wardrobe; stretchy material and baggy fit makes for extreme comfort; can be worn for warmth on cold nights
My squad-mates also came across some great finds within the sales-racks of the Pacas:
- old t-shirts including great sayings & graphic designs from our childhood
- man-sized footie pajamas with camouflage design
- cheetah-print leggings-to wear under shorts when above-the-knee-length shorts are not permited
- striped cardigans-great for layering with t-shirt to dress them up or with tanks when it’s not appropriate to show your shoulders
The moral is, if you forget a piece of clothing when frantically trying to fit things into your pack before you launch on your World Race, don’t fear. There are an abundant amount of great clothing options all around you. You just have to adventure out to find them! Have fun exploring, and don’t forget to barter with the salesperson!
