Following the example of other Central American countries, Guatemala has begun using the US dollar. Since the beginning of this month, Guatemalans have been able to buy and sell in dollars, and to open dollar-accounts at the national bank. Baskets of fruit, dried fish, beans and second hand clothing are displayed in small stalls. On the marketplace of Quetzaltenango local products of the Indian Maya population are traded. The women wear colourful skirts and carry their babies on their backs.
People still pay with the national currency of Guatemala.
Most merchants are unaware of the dollarisation. They still calculate prices in quetzales. Merchant Don Remigio has read about the dollarisation in the newspaper. He does not disapprove. But, he admits , he has no choice anyway, because the government has approved it.