To Market, To Market, a Mexican One

My husband Steve and I enjoyed Ajijic, Mexico, hospitality for two weeks. We wandered city streets, savored local cuisine, window shopped, purchased a couple of keepsakes, and relaxed in the near-perfect climate of warm, sunny days. 

My knowledge of Spanish is almost non-existent, yet I wanted to absorb some local atmosphere and way of life. One way to do that, I surmised, was to visit markets and street fairs. The events offer insight into a culture otherwise viewed from afar. I wanted to immerse myself in a Mexican experience, check out the merchandise and prices, and compare it with my hometown farmers’ market. 

The Ajijic market takes place every Wednesday year-round. Locals, ex-pats (non-Mexican residents), and tourists wander a long cobblestone street closed to cars. Booths line both sides of the road. Canopies define each vendor’s space. Trees provide shade for vendors and shoppers, so hot sunny days do not deter attendance. Food, souvenirs, clothing, and a miscellany of goods are up for grabs. Clothing hangs from metal poles. Most merchandise is new, but a small number of sellers peddle second-hand goods, mainly clothing. 

Steve and I ambled along the lengthy market road, jostled by myriad shoppers, and strolled slowly enough to inspect each stand’s offerings. Sometimes we stopped for an up-close view of the wares. Some booths were so popular my impatience won out over my desire to examine the goods, and we continued on.

One woman stood behind a table and cut raw chicken into pieces. No refrigerators or coolers in sight. No enclosed display counter between customers and merchants.  The regulations at our hometown market are strict concerning food presentation. Facilities to keep meats and deli items cold and inaccessible to customer’s hands are required. I was somewhat taken aback by what seemed loose food rules, but ex-pats tell us there is no problem with food contamination. But they purchase perishables requiring refrigeration last and return home ASAP.

Folks asked questions and made purchases. The chicken was wrapped, handed over, and pesos changed hands. Few stands accept credit cards.

At our hometown market, all produce is displayed on tables, the ground reserved for the enjoyment of children and dogs. Things are different in Mexico. Fruits and vegetables appear clean, attractive, and fresh, and overflow on tables and piled on mats on the ground. Plastic containers full of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cherry tomatoes cram produce stands. Berries are grown in large greenhouses nearby. I viewed fruits and vegetables – coconuts, apples, bananas, avocados, the largest radishes I ever saw, enormous cauliflowers, broccoli, potatoes, and onions of all sizes. I wished I could cook a gourmet meal of chicken, veggies, and a salad, relax on my hotel room patio, and relish the repast. However our accommodations did not include food preparation utensils or appliances, only a refrigerator. 

Large round cheeses were on display. The merchant cut a portion per a customer’s request. Fresh-baked breads packed in brown bags were ready for consumers to grab and go. We passed mouth-watering fresh food displays, stopped at a stand offering an assortment of nuts, and purchased a mixed bag. A stand sold pies by the piece, as well as servings of quiche, lasagna, and meatloaf, slices placed in plastic boxes for the trip home. Vendors prepared food to order on hot plates and table-top stoves – tostadas, tacos, quesadillas, soups. Large jugs dispensed drinks  – lemonade, iced tea, and fruit juices. Tables and chairs allowed folks to sit, rest their weary legs, and relish the fare. 

Nonfood stands outnumbered food counters. One booth offered back massages and another reflexology demonstrations. A couple of performers played guitar for the crowd. A weaver diligently worked on his baskets and offered a variety for sale. Merchants sold clothing for men, women, and children, along with accessories such as belts and hats. Souvenir stands hawked their wares.

After over an hour ambling about, we had enough of shoulder-to-shoulder, jam-packed shoppers. Although the sun did not beat down directly on us, the temperature increased and we became uncomfortably warm. We needed to sit and rest. It was time to go. 

We returned to our lodging with blueberries, blackberries, a sourdough bread, and the nuts. We sank into comfy lounge chairs and snacked on our purchases.