Markets and Ruins

12 Comments

Walked around the Mercado de Abastos—supposedly the biggest outdoor market in Mexico—although I think calling it outdoor just because the building doesn’t have walls is cheating a bit. There are always a ton of interesting sites in Mexico’s markets, and though we really don’t ever need much besides a bagful of fruit I think they are an amazing place to open our kids’ eyes a bit more to the world around them.

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Our kids could probably walk around the market collecting free gifts all day long if they wanted to. One very nice old lady insisted the kids each take a slingshot. When Ouest said gracias the woman grabbed her face with both hands, kissed her on the cheek, and squeezed her blond hair.

I sometimes think that a kid would have to have purple skin and green hair for me to be even half as enamored of them as many of the locals are of our kids.

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Mitla is a small town with some ruins right smack in the middle of it. As is pretty much the norm, the Spanish came over here, destroyed everything related to previous religions and customs, then used the rubble to build their own cathedrals on top of the old. It makes for some interesting architecture. It was a pleasant enough way to spend an afternoon.

Plus, right outside were plenty of ice cream stands. How did we not know about tres leches ice cream before?

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The kids enjoyed running around this place and trying to jump out and scare us from around each corner.

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What? Dad is the only one too cool to wear a Mickey or Minnie Mouse t-shirt?

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An example of art being used to make childrens’ rides more…exciting? I’m pretty sure there was a family living underneath this ride. The stroller and a few feet were visible running around down there.

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We stopped off at a mezcal factory/restaurant for lunner on the way home from Mitla. Around back was a small zoo, of sorts. Peacocks are a crazy bird.

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12 Comments on “Markets and Ruins”

  1. Word on the street? Cheering El Chapo or jeering the incompetence/graft of the jailers, indifference?

    1. I’d say indifference. Or that few were actually shocked by the news. Business as usual perhaps? I don’t know. Whatever it is it sure hasn’t done much for Mexico’s image in the world’s eyes.

  2. Glad to see you all are having a great time. You’ve taken exactly the same route that I did last year. If you get back on down. the coast, check out Puerto Escondido. Fun spot and great surfing. Agua Azul, an awesome water world just before Palenque is also a must see. Have fun and keep driving. And thanks for the memories……..H

  3. Pat and Ali, always love your posts and photos of both your children as well as the local children. Great work!

  4. Do they really make ice cream out of leeches or did you forget to turn off the English spell check?

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