The New Market (Mercado 24 de Mayo)

It's been a busy several days, and I haven't been home much to post (or write my notes), so get ready for a slew of posts.

On Wednesday, Luzmila and Rosa Elena took me to the "new market," actually called Mercado 24 de Mayo. They made sure to tell everyone that we were tourists for the day. I didn't point out that people assume I'm a tourist every day...

Mercado 24 de Mayo replaced the older market that had fruits, veggies, and meat. There were also vendors who sold shoes, clothes (often name brand knockoffs, but also the style of clothing that indigenous women wear), and other items. Here you can see some of the empty space from the old market. It's supposed to be converted into something else, though what that is, or when constructed will begin remains to be seen.

According to Otavalo's website, "The new Municipal Market is considered one of the most modern in the country and was built with an investment of about 21 million dollars, of which approximately 10 million dollars are contributed by the current municipal administration, chaired by Mayor Gustavo Pareja, While the difference corresponds to an allocation from the Development Bank of Ecuador, as a loan" (http://www.otavalo.gob.ec/noticias/item/771-nuevo-mercado-24-de-mayo-abrio-sus-puertas-al-publico.html).

On those rare occasions that the peak of Taita Imbabura isn't hidden in clouds, you make sure to snap a few pictures! (You probably saw Rosa Elena's pictures on Facebook, so you know what I mean)

The Market is huge. Like, 3 floors that house 791 stalls huge. (It hurts my OCD a little that they made it 791, but no one asked my opinion during construction...) The first floor/underground is for parking, while the second floor has meat, fruit, veggies, grains, spices, and open plaza in the middle for people to play/relax, and "American" style clothing. The third floor has more fruits and veggie stalls; stands from which you can buy food (breakfast, lunch, snacks, coffee, etc.); and the clothing indigenous women wear. You can see that there are actually several interconnecting roofs, with the plaza left uncovered. Still, the new market is safer because everything is "under one roof," rather than spilling out into the streets. The construction, however, means the building is quite cold on cool days. Vendors (and customers) complain that fewer shoppers visit the new site because it's father from town and colder, so people don't enjoy the shopping experience as much. I guess there's no pleasing everyone.

This whole row was just bread. So. Much. Bread. And I want to eat it all!! The freshly-baked bread is definitely one of my favorite foods here. Bread and fruit/juice. That's what I'm going to live on.

I mean, who doesn't want to buy their grains like this?!