Mercado Central

We have spent 2 more days back in Cusco after our trip to the Sacred Valley. These days have been very chill without the schedule of Spanish lessons during the day, we actually promissed ourselves that we wouldn't plan anything and held to it. Not much to write about..... getting some supplies, laundry, feeding pigeons in the plaza, eating & drinking. But there was the Mercado Central!

I wish we had found this place earlier during our stay here. Just off the main tourist scene, making up a large city block is an open air, covered food market. There are a few clothing vendors but the majority is food, veggies, meat, fruit, breads, cheese and grains. My favorite is the meat vendors with an incredible selection of animal parts, all animal parts. Also saw some interesting looking frogs and butterfly or moth coccoons (maybe they go well in omlettes) for sale.

We ate lunch today in the food court section of the market. Rows of tables and benches and stools with women preparing meals. You choose a station by the small menu board above each, if you know the dishes, or by the smiling face waving at you to join her if you don't. We picked a smiling face and were imediately served the best bowl of chicken soup that we have had. After a nice conversation with our host and bench mates we went to visit the Juice Ladies at the other end of the market. With their blendors whirling away behind a pile fruit, you can order any combination of fruit, vegitables, milk (and beer) imaginable. We hit this 2 days in a row and if we were here a couple more days I might experiment with the beer punch but was very happy with my virgin smoothies. Thanks Juice Laddies!

Tomorrow we are heading back to Puno and then on to Bolivia, changing our plans a bit and busing it to Argentina rather than flying.