SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, CHIAPAS (CONTINUED)

PART VI – THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE CROWDED MARKETS



In every city or small pueblo that I have ever visited in Mexico, the market places are always the most interesting. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the colors; each marketplace is unique unto itself. They are full of life and the activities that sustain the community. Vendors abound and customers are always eager to find the best bargains of the day. If you are curious about local culture, take a stroll through the market!

Once again, I must advise that the photographs I took at the local markets in San Cristobal were not “posed”, but rather taken on the sly, so to speak, save for a few. Hopefully, these photos will give you an idea of the hustle and bustle of this colorful marketplace.

(CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE.)



The handmade tapestries are always colorful as evidenced by this fine example of a wall hanging. I didn't buy a tapestry this trip, but I did buy a beautiful seven foot table runner for my dining room table! It, too, is quite colorful and quite beautiful and now adorns my table.

And, yes, I did purchase two of these magnificent hand-carved masks. They are hanging on my wall as I type, guarding the stairway! (I should have purchased more! Oh well, next trip!)

Some very colorful shoppers!

An overview of the meat, poultry, and fish market. I didn't buy any fresh meat, poultry, or fish, but I did buy several kilos of chorizo. (A rich, wonderfully seasoned Mexican sausage.) If you look closely in the second photo, you can see it hanging. Irresistable! And quite delicous, too!

Of all the photos I took on this trip, this is one of my absolute favorites. It could easily be the equivalent of an executive business meeting to discuss sales, marketing, and strategy!

The black wool is sold and used for making traditional clothing for both men and women, and sometimes for ceremonial garb for men. Women, and even very young girls, wear skirts made from this wool, even in the midst of summer! They are wrap-around and held together by hand made, brightly colored belts. Men wear both pants and long vests. All such clothing is handmade. The woman looking to buy some wool is wearing a wool skirt. You can't find them at your local Wal Mart!

Hah! This foto wasn't taken by Merida Mikey as proclaimed! I am in the foto!!!

Stop all transactions! Time out for a little snack!

The shoemaker gave permission to be photographed. No, I didn't buy any shoes, but I did buy a very nice leather sheath for a machete I have.

Heading home after a long day of shopping. Could be chicken soup for the evening meal!

Another sale!

Color abounds everywhere you look!

Believe it or not, I bought this snake! It is now wrapped around the railing of my staircase.




This very nice lady gave me permission to take her photo! She wasn't camera shy!

If you're wondering what these are, they are necklaces! They are made exclusively from seeds that have (obviously) been brightly colored and strung. They sell for 5 pesos each, or the equivalent of 40 cents each.





. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Take the chicken! Sold!