Jun 13, 2019 at 04:32 pm

27th of May to 2nd of June

Update posted by lia Timmermans

Mayan Immersion Update

What have we been up to?

Its been a really busy week for Mayan Immersion we have been out and about looking for suppliers of the finest Mayan art, crafts and other products to fill our shelves. We are looking for good quality products that are going to be great souvenirs or products that will supplement the tours that we are doing.

Our main criteria is that it is made by Mayan people so that we are helping to support the communities that live in the jungle.

First of all we travelled south of Tulum to the town where our accountant lives. He has been really supportive, helping us set up the shop, he is passionate about the idea so he has introduced us to some people he knows.

Painter First of all we met an artist at his home. The whole wall of his house was painted with the most interesting mural. He explained the that his art was full of traditional significance symbolising a respect and balance for nature. Then he showed us his pieces. He produces watercolours about A5 size with similar ideas to the mural. The come in a rustic wood frame and he will write an explanation for us of the significance of each so that when we sell them we will know what they mean.

We thought these looked very beautiful so we decided to get 5 to go on the wall.

Crafts

Then we met another artist he does engravings on wood with heated metal, so he burns into the wood. He explained that he has learnt the traditional Mayan picture glyphs so he produces stunning pieces with lots of Mayan symbolism. They are either on flat pieces of wood, used like a canvas or, as it is on wood, he can do it on virtually anything we like. The Maya use natural plants to make cooking and eating items, like bowls, cups, water bottles and ladles, we can have them made with any engraving we like. Should we do a “Mayan Immersion” branded water bottle?

Melipona Honey

Next we went to meet a lovely lad who was very passionate about her product. She sells homey and homey products made with both Millepona honey and normal European honey. As well as the delicious eating honey she produces a whole range of soap, shampoo, mosquito repellent, talc, skin creams and sweets. This is exactly what we are looking for because they are products that people might need to buy during their holiday, as souvenirs to take back home or when they come on a Mayan Immersion Tour.

What made Lia happy most of all is that it is a woman's cooperative so it really fits in with her vision of, not just what she is selling, but the people she is working with.

We were so excited that we got a box of things to take away then.

Wicker baskets

Last of all w met an old Mayan man who was working in a small hut by the side of the road. He sells baskets, lampshades, hanging baskets and other things all made of wicker. So its folded and weaved wood.

It looks great even though we don’t think there will be a big market for us selling these.

They could be good to prepare a basket of the honey products in but we though they would be great to showcase he honey products in the shop. He was such a lovely man that we had to buy some things. He was a bit emotional when we gave him the money. He promptly closed his shop and walked a few huts up to the restaurant and ordered a meal.

So that was our amazing trip south.

We had a great time and found some great products. We will have the paintings and wood engravings in a week or so and the Honey is available in the shop.

First sale when one of our diver customers shared that she was in a shop that had Millepona honey for sale she had multipl requests from friends to get her some. So as well as having an awesome day diving with us in The Pit and Nicte Ha she also got some fine gifts to take back home to her friends and family. Thank you so much for being our first customer Alaya we really appreciate it.

What we have done so far.

Honey

Watercolour paintings

Engraved Art

First Sale

Dominic Evans written by Dominic Evans


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