so, first an apology. I am extremely behind in personal pics and my Guatemala posts are suffering. So, here is the next overdue installment! A look at the Chichicastenango market through the eyes of a lensbaby. This was my first outing out with my lensbaby and it definitely took some time getting used to but I LOVE the effect it gives.

The market is the largest in Central America and they have it every Sunday…it starts off with cannon’s being blasted off in celebration of it at 5am. They build their store fronts on the street and everything! Here are some pics and more stories…

I bought a bag from this lady for my mom…I loved that she was making them right there and that they are so simple and unique! Nothing else like it in the market!
a street vendorthis is the way alot of people carried things around, on their head!Erin bartering away! It was expected to barter and once you got the hang of it and realized everyone was cool with it, it was kinda fun! Even though I’m pretty sure I was terrible at it:)
for some reason this picture just calls to me. don’t ask…I’m weird:)

so in the middle of the market is this large church. we were standing there and noticed some people clearing the way and it got quieter. there was a funeral going into the church and the community of the person were surrounding the coffin carrying it inside the church. it was a pretty awesome and reverent moment…especially to see it be such a community effort. I was pretty excited how these turned out…I think the lensbaby really helped with that!

Sarah is a friend of mine who recently graduated with her Master’s and has accepted an volunteer position working in Africa (she explains it in more details below). She is having to raise all the funds herself for the year she will be over there since this is a volunteer basis. This is such an amazing opportunity for her and I am so excited for her! There are two awesome ways you can help send Sarah to Africa…both of which are a complete win/win for you too! If you are not local to Knoxville and still want to donate, please see the bottom of this post on how you can pay online via credit card.

The first way is a Pancake Breakfast that will be held on July 11th at Aubrey’s. $5 for some awesome pancakes (all you can eat!), doorprizes, and a ton of fun = not a bad deal in my book! Contact me at shann@shannonkelleyphotography.com to get tickets!

The second way: A raffle with some amazing prizes!!!!

Here is an email from Sarah:

As many of you know, I have accepted an unpaid internship in Africa for the next year. I will be flying to Cape Town, South Africa, on August 1st to start this year long internship. I will be working with Grassroot Soccer on HIV/AIDS education with youth through soccer camps, tournaments, leagues and education in high schools. If you know me well, you would know this is a great fit for me. Because it is an unpaid internship I have to
fund-raise all of the money to live off of for a year. I am selling raffle tickets this Friday and for the next few weeks.

1 for $5; 3 for $10; or 8 for $25;

Prizes are as follows:
1) Free Teeth Whitening from Dr. Wright (Oakridge, TN),
2) 3-Month Membership to the YMCA,
3) A free oil change and tire rotation from Fisher Tire,
4) Free photo shoot from Shannon Kelley Photography
5) Free dessert by Alex Ponzio Desserts
6) A round of golf at Centennial Golf Course
7) A free dog wash and nail clipping from Calahan Drive Animal Hospital
8.) Gift Certificate from Montage Salon for cut and color up to $150
9) Two day passes to Dollywood
10) Two entry passes to Ripley’s Aquarium
11) Two rounds of golf at Avalon Golf Course
12) Four tickets to a Smokies Baseball Game.
13) $45 Bonefish Grill gift card
14) $45 Carrabba’s Italian Grill gift card
15) 4 pairs of 2 free appetizers at PF Changs

You can pay cash, check (make out to Grassroot Soccer) or with debit card
or credit card at http://soccersarahinafrica.blogspot.com just let me know so I can get your tickets. I am selling tickets to help Sarah so you can contact me if you want to pay with cash or check as well.

Raffle Tickets will be drawn on July 26th; and all winners will be contacted after.

and because we love pics around here:) Here is a pic of Sarah’s graduation session…love this one!

the contest is now closed! The winner will be drawn tomorrow by the lovely Lenabean (who is coming home tonight! Yay!). We will have it up to watch on the blog tomorrow….so check back to see if you won some swag!

thanks to all who entered and for all the fun ideas of where we all want to go!

It’s time for a little contest! A basket full of fun Guatemalan treats can be yours for the easy price of leaving a comment. Just leave a comment on where you would love to visit in the world…make sure your name and email is put in so I can contact you that way. I will mail the prize to the winner or if you are local, we can meet up if it is easier! Contest will last through Saturday at noon EST. Good luck:)

Contents of the prize…
-Guatemalan chikys (a chocolate cookie type…very yummy!). This is a whole package with about 12-13 packages
-A handcarved mask
-Guatemalan coffee (supposedly amazing!)
-Bracelets (2 included but if you happen to need another because you have 3 kids or sometime, I can swing another one…don’t want anyone left out, you know!)