Photo Essays / El Mercado

El Mercado

You can get everything you want - and more - at el mercado in Merida. Warning: some of these photos are not for the squeemish...

Chaya leaf is a popular component of various remedies and health foods. <a href=></a> A wide assortment of freshly grown spices are available. <a href=></a> A favorite vegitable called chayote. It tastes like a combination of summer squash and apple. <a href=></a> We suppose in any culture, sex sells. <a href=></a> Nobody's selling any of those weak chickens here. <a href=></a> Obligatory still life photo of red tomatoes on a weathered, aguamarine table. We can't help ourselves... <a href=></a> A basket of white onions. <a href=></a> Is this woman in the meat department, or lady's apparel? <a href=></a> The two things you can count on with any meal in Yucatan are corn and beans. This lady sells a variety of latter. <a href=></a> Although tortillas made by hand are the best, a fresh tortilla from a machine still beats out the packaged, store-bought kind. <a href=></a> This vendor seems to have a little of everything, including the bright plastic shopping bags with a plaid design popular in Yucatan, called sabucanes. <a href=></a> We're not sure if this guy is selling what he thinks he's selling. <a href=></a> See anything you need? Although the mercado is organized into general sections, such as meat, vegetables and dry goods, you do have to take your time finding some items. <a href=></a>

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