Tancho also got my attention with his remarks on shopping for groceries at Mexican-style markets in the US. So when I hit the street market in Guaymas this morning at 6:30am with my friend Alejandra, I decided to photograph my haul and see how veggie prices here compare with other parts of Mexico and Tancho's store in the states. Of course, I didn't buy meat, tortillas or strawberries, which he did.
So here it is: two zucchini, three mangos, five bananas, a pineapple, broccoli, a papaya, two avocados, two beets, three red peppers, for 100 pesos, $7.96USD at today's exchange rate. I didn't get prices for individual items. My purchases came right off a truck parked every weekday on the street at 5am, next to several other trucks which only sell to restaurants. The vendor was helpful and courteous, pointing out what he had to offer (in ingles!) without getting pushy, always ready with a bag when I needed it. I don't expect to shop this way every time, but there were advantages: parking was easy right next to the truck, it's refreshingly cool that time of the morning. Nothing had that tired "I've been sitting in this store all week" look. And afterward Ale and I had time for coffee and a long chat. Life is sweet.
