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Along the Natchez Trace

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Saturday Market

Hola!  All week we've been looking forward to today.  It's farmer's market day here in Cuidad Colon.  We're not sure what hour it actually opens, but have been told that it's maybe 6am or so.  We headed into town around 7:30 ....  it's about a 10 minute walk from our house to the town square, where the market it located.

We made a quick stop at the ATM....  not because we expected to spend a lot at the market, but we have an outing planned for Monday and we'll need more colones...

Then...  on a couple of blocks to the town square...
The Market is already crowded ....  lots of vendors...  lots of buyers...  that makes for a perfect market!

So much to see!  So much to buy!  We bought some asparagus from the man in the lower left picture... the upper middle picture is Bill handing the man the colones.  Those look like yucca flowers in the upper right...  I'm still not sure what you do with them, although I do know that every part of the yucca (that I know) is edible..  or usable.  The lower middle picture is baked goods...  the woman has lived in CR for 24 years...  the guy... from Chicago, has lived here 22 years.  I asked about them about several things that were for sale and they helped me with translation/use.  Nice!

The upper left is fresh herbs...  what a treat to pick up a bundle of rosemary or thyme and just inhale the aroma!  There were some potted plants for sale (lower left)...  and even fish to put in your aquarium.  

I asked about the milk... (lower middle)...  this is fresh milk that has been allowed to "go bad"...  after about 3 days it ferments.  I'm not sure if it turns into a yogurt-like drink or what.  The couple I asked (bakery above) really weren't exactly sure about this.  Maybe it's one of those things you really just don't want to try more than once.

After walking around the market stalls... visiting a few of them a couple times or more....  we ended up buying asparagus, fresh (shelled) peas, a few onions...  and...

A Coconut

They slice off a little of the bottom so it will sit flat...  then slice off enough of the top to make a big enough hole to put a straw in.  Then you're all set with some liquid refreshment.

The coconut isn't ripe yet, so you don't use the "meat"... but the coconut milk inside (probably about a cup or more) is ready to drink.  

This cost about 50c American...  

Cheaper than a soft drink?

I like it okay, but think I'd prefer it cold rather than at room temperature.  

After over an hour wandering through the market, we stopped at a couple of bakeries to check out today's specials..

Came home with our veggies, a loaf of cheese bread, and some kind of cinnamon roll.  

We're told there is also an organic farmer's market 2-6 PM on Thursday afternoons.  That will be on our agenda!

On our way home, we walked through the park and saw this mimosa tree blooming...
The house we lived in when I was a kid had a mimosa tree.  It was my Father's pride and joy... I can never pass a mimosa tree without thinking of him...  and my mother, my sister and brother.

Cynthia & Larry...  this picture's for you!

That's All For Today...


4 comments:

  1. What a magical morning. I also have fond memories of a mimosa tree -- it grew up to my bedroom window when I was a kid and I could touch the leaves from there and watch them make "magic."

    The coconut also brings back memories. I was in Livorno in the '70s and they sold slices of coconut that sat in a portable fountain running ice cold water. It was delicious!

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  2. What a wonderful picture tour though the market! The Banco Popular machine reminded me of my days working in the mortgage insurance department of a large insurance company. Banco Popular sold the insurance to their customers but didn't have anyone who spoke English in that department. When I'd call to get information, it would take days and days and then we'd get bad info. Often, we'd have to go over their heads just to get it handled.
    Things like this just make me sooo happy to be retired!

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  3. It is sooo beautiful there! Cept for the fermented milk. That sounds nasty.

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  4. We always enjoy the markets in the countries we visit; especially the ones where the locals shop. You get a great sense of daily life.

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