When we told they kids we were going to the market in Tlacolula last Sunday they were a little less than enthusiastic. Fortunately one of the things that you get to do in Mexico that you don't get to do at home is ride in the "way back" of the car. This novelty took the edge off the start of the day.
When we got to Tlacolula we parked in someone's courtyard on the outskirts of the centro and walked a few blocks to where the streets were cordoned off and entered the market. It is hard to describe how large and varied this market is. Instead of writing about it I have added way more pictures than is recommended for a single post and put captions on them. Pretend we are having a cup of coffee and I am showing you my trip photos, describing them as we go.
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| Breakfast at one of the many tiny restaurants. Mix and match meat and mole. |
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| Green powered knife sharpening guy outside the restaurant. |
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| The hall of grilled meats. |
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| The hall of bread. |
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| Harrison and our neighbor choosing which aisle to tackle first: meat or bread. |
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| Ladies selling cachuates... aka - peanuts. |
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| How much fried pork skin do we need? The answer is more than you'd expect. |
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| Ladies selling veggies just opposite the pork skins. |
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| Helen and Max squealed appropriately at this stand. |
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| The colors here are amazing, this stand was even more vivid and beautiful in real life. |
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| Acres of fruits, vegetables and smiling women. |
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| Selling chalk that keeps the food from sticking to the comal (tortilla cooker). |
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| Acres of shoes and every other imaginable article of clothing. |
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| Mounds of garlic every few feet. |
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| Cutest little old ladies everywhere. |
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| Max with market purchases - Hat and belt with cool buckle. |
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| Live birds for dinner. |
List of our purchases:
1 kg mangos
1 kg mandarin oranges
1 bag of ground cinnamon
2 apples
Dress and apron for Helen (like the woman in the "hall of grilled meats" photo is wearing)
Hat and belt for Max
Belt for Natalie
Hand carved wooden comb
Notebook for Helen
50 handmade firecrackers
1 small sheet of dried pork skin
1 handwoven bedspread
2 handwoven scarves
As you can see, we were restrained. We plan to return. --Natalie
It's funny. The last memory I have of riding in the way back was on a family trip from San Diego to Ensanada. So now I just figure out how to get your house in Oaxaca so I can ride in the way back to this market which looks just AMAZING! Wow!
ReplyDeleteGreat post; wonderful photos! I never met a market I did not like! Max looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Feels like I'm right there with you guys.
ReplyDelete