El Mercado

---

As I told you in the previous entry, we visit the market every day. I have been to many markets in different countries, but they are still fascinating to me. Every city, town, pueblo, etc. has a market and you can buy anything you want. Theses markets are more like mini malls, but obviously all outdoors and made of large sheets of plastic. We just picked up a small screwdriver the other day right after and right next to the fruit we bought.

The San Francisco Market is where we go here in Chilpancingo. The attached photos are from the mercado. The prices are incredibly cheap. We can spend $50-$60 for vegetables and here the same will cost you maybe $10.

The fresh fruits and vegetables in Mexico are so different in color than those in the US and the tastes are incredible because they are actually fresh and come directly from the mountains. There are so many difference kinds of fruits and vegetables here that everyday I am learning something new.

One of the best things about the market is you can buy hand made corn tortillas. They are literally made minutes before you buy them. You can watch the women making them. They are wrapped in paper and still hot...almost too hot to even carry in your hands after you buy them. Tortillas are served with every meal in Mexico.

Most of the locals eat in the markets as well as you can see from some of the photos. There are many small kitchens throughout the market and women are preparing food.

Everyday in the house we have a different kind of drink: agua de limon/lime water more like lemonade, agua de pina/pineapple water, agua de jimaca/jimaca water, agua de sandina/watermelon water...I could go on and on.

Fresh flowers are abundant and very cheap here. Another thing we have in the house everyday! Oh, and avocados...of course, we have plenty of avocados in the house everyday and usually with every meal. And I can't forgot limes and salt with every meal as well.

As you can see in the photos, meat is available in the market as well, but the family has specific places to buy meat and fish outside of the market. In the local markets, the head of the pig will literally be sitting on the counter staring back at you! When you buy chicken, the chicken is dead and skinned hanging off the counter. You just tell the person what part you want and while you are standing there they prepare exactly your choice and quantity. Carlos' dog, Shaggy, really likes the leftover parts of the chicken, especially the feet. It literally look like a plastic toy when he eats it.

I am tired just thinking about the food and eating...must be time for a nap/siesta, which is the highlight of the day here in Mexico!!!

---

Comments

[Mike Lohman]

MMMMMmmmmmmmmmm
Any entry about food is a good entry. I think Kristina would love an adventure to the market, too. It sounds like you guys are having a great time. I wish we could come and join you.