Saturday, September 27, 2014

San Pedro Market

I enjoy visiting some of these markets in South America because you can find all kinds of organic fruits and vegetables at very cheap prices. My really sweet Spanish teacher offered to accompany me to San Pedro, the biggest market in Cuzco to show me around and also teach me the Spanish names of some of the fruits and vegetables that are locally grown. I couldn't pass up the chance so I was only too happy to check out the market.

San Pedro market isn't too far from the main plaza (Plaza de Armas), it's within walking distance and if you are not too sure on how to get there you can ask someone at Plaza de Armas for directions, the market is very popular so most people know where it is.

San Pedro is pretty big and has been divided into various sections that have stalls which sell specific products, making it easier to narrow down your search for certain items. As you can see in the picture below, you have the main hallway then on the sides you have different stalls each catering to specific needs.


You have the meat section


The juice area where you can have naturally made fruit juice from any fruits you select. The ladies will blend the fruits right in front of you and that way at least you know what you are getting.


Below I am at my favorite fruit juice stand with Marcelina the juice maker. This is actually in San Blas market not too far from where I live and I have developed a rapport with Marcelina so I stop by every evening for some fruit juice and conversation. She is really sweet and friendly so if you ever find yourself in San Blas market in Cuzco just look out for Jugos de Marcelina and for 3.50 peruvian soles (roughly a dollar) you can enjoy some freshly made juice from all the fruits she has at her stall.


Fruits upon fruits upon fruits, love it!


One of my favorite fruits that my teacher introduced me to. It's called chirimoya, this is how it looks like when uncut.


This is how it looks like on the inside, it's a very sweet and juicy fruit. You eat only the white part minus the seeds of course. I can not get enough of this fruit!


Coca leaves are very popular here and you can find them in every form imaginable. From the actual leaves themselves to coca candy, to powder, heck! there is even coca ice cream (but it's not found in the market). Here you have the solution to deal with that pesky altitude sickness.


Some herbs which are mostly used by shamans as my teacher explained.


The bread section.


I loved the flower section because of all the bright colors from the different flowers.


Fancy some frog meat? look no further because at San Pedro they cater to your needs. By the way how messed up is it to have the skinned frogs right next to the live frogs? poor creatures get to see their fate.


The handicraft section


That's it folks, this market is worth checking out especially if traveling on a budget. You can have lunch here on the cheap and I have actually seen a lot of foreigners coming here for that. There is so much to be found at this market at reasonably cheap prices so if you are ever in Cuzco do stop by.

Random Thoughts of The Day:

People work so many hours here, it's normal to see someone working 10 plus hours everyday of the week minus Sunday. And to think I used to complain about working at my 8 hour/day, Monday through Friday job. Sometimes you just don't realize how easy you've got it.

I think Cuzco is an ideal city for hippies and the artsy types, there are so many here. By the way some of the artsy looking men are HOT! and they come from different parts of South America.

Of all South Americans I think Argentinians seem to travel a lot. I have come across quite a number during my travels here. I was having an interesting conversation with my hosts and they were saying that Argentinians are only allowed to take a certain amount of money away from the country so that's why you will find a lot of them selling art, pastry or working in restaurants in order to supplement their travels when they run out of money in a foreign country. Back in their countries they may be well off but there is only so much money they can access while outside the country. Hmmm? interesting indeed! but it sucks though, why would you have restrictions on your own money???

I can not tell you the number of times I have been offered marijuana or invited out to smoke marijuana while listening to reggae music. I think because of my hair which is in dreadlocks, a lot of people here in Cuzco stereotypically assume I am a weed head which is so far from the truth! I don't smoke cigarettes, marijuana or any other smokable stuff. Actually I try avoiding hanging out with some of these people because I don't want to be guilty by association and end up in a Peruvian prison or any prison for that matter. Call me overly cautious but I don't want trouble.

I met this one dude who was raving about Bob Marley and kept going on about the Rastafaris and Jamaica. I was just quietly listening to him and nodding my head until he asked me which Bob Marley song I liked and invited me to hang out with his friends to listen to some reggae music. You should have seen the look of disappointment on his face when I told him I actually prefer listening to: Salsa, Bachata and Cumbia music.

Hey! just because I have dreadlocks doesn't mean I love reggae music or I am obsessed with Jamaica and Bob Marley, I just happen to have this style of hair because I am damn lazy when it comes to combing my hair and styling it so having dreadlocks is very convenient and easy maintenance for me.


2 comments:

  1. The Chirimoya fruit looks very much like what Kenyans know as Tomoko or matomoko (custard apple) they may probably be in the same family. Very sweet fruit I agree.

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    1. Lol yeah it is matomoko, my buddy was telling me about it coz they have it in their shags. I can't believe I grew up in Kenya and never had this fruit.

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