When I first came to
San Miguel, I went to the San Juan de Dios market. I didn't like the market. I
can't tell you why but that was my initial impression...and my first mistake.
I didn't go back until
this year. It was then I had a very surprising revelation. San Juan de Dios Market is Mexico. Some call it the
People's Market. After sitting down there one Friday afternoon and watching life
go by I would have to agree. Where Ignacio Ramirez Market caters to the
tourists, this market is filled with Mexicans, many from the campo, doing their
daily shopping.
This market is filled
with noisy energy and all sorts of wonderful, local food.
Going to this market
is a colorful and educating experience. It's the best way to soak up the local
culture. What better way to practice your Spanish, make new friends or buy for
a weekend picnic.
Among the stalls
selling fruits and vegetables, pollo and flea market wares, low cost fondas in
the back building serve up the foods the locals eat at home...like huaraches,
the deep fried ovals of masa topped with sausage, cheese, chicken, and nopales.
The prices at San Juan
de Dios are low and compare more to the Tuesday Market. For instance, a kilo of
Vanessa's Rosa tortillas is 12 pesos or 91 cents.
San Juan de Dios is a
covered, permanent market with so much to see you need to go back many times
just to experience all the local flavor. I see different things every time I go
there.
I recently saw a
funeral procession winding through the market. Locals told me the deceased, a
very old man, came to this market every day, mainly to socialize. This was his
final farewell.
Inside the market,
you'll find more altars and shrines than you can count. Me, I just prayed I
would find my way out of the maze...that was after I got a fix of Barbacoa.
I wasn't exactly sure
where it was. I simply followed my nose.
Buen Apetito!
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