Oh, Say Can You See the veggies...

This was an EXPERIENCE! An entire HUGE area near downtown is a market that will sell you ANYTHING, and then a few extra items. I was invited to go with some new friends down to this market, and I am just going to have to post a lot of pictures, because there is no way I can describe this.

We first went to a place that sold nuts and spices. I got Richard some very nice pistachios and some other thing that is the "nut of Chile". It's round and black and tastes rather smoky. They had an entire HUGE burlap bag full of chopped, dried oregano that was just beautiful. Everything is bought by the kilo, and they will let you try everything, so we all did.

Understand that this is on a muddy street, and you have to pay some guy to help you park in a space that looks like it is not made for a car. Thank goodness I don't have to drive! Lois, my new friend, local pastor's wife, and worker extraordinaire at the IA house did the driving. She's lived here a long time, and her skills leave me breathless.

We hit the meat and cheese counter next. We tasted a bunch of stuff at the cheese and meat section and I settled on a very little turkey ham and some harder white cheese. All of the cheeses sold at the supermarkets here seem to be soft and kind of tasteless, so it was a thrill to find some with a bite. Next, through the cats and dogs and mud and boxes to the veggies. Note the picture of the booth of the guy that called in sick today and didn't open his booth. He covered his veggies with US flags. How funny!

I spotted some beautiful limes with a large tabby sitting on top of them. He was keeping them warm, I'm sure. One of the pics I have is a brown roped up looking thing. I had no idea. Seaweed. No thanks, but I appreciate the opportunity.

The hogs heads were all over the place- in the cases, on the counters- just staring at us. Oh, just boil them and the meat falls right off and is ever so delish! No thanks, but it was kind of you to offer....I took a lot of pics. I had a hard time NOT taking pictures because it was all so new and exciting. You have to carefully watch your wallet and camera in this spot, though. I had a great time, and will take any of you who are brave and daring, if you come. Watch you wallets, and get ready for the wolf whistles. They like women with light hair.