Cusco Marketplace

...aka Things I Won´t Buy From The Street

Obviously, this list is quite extensive. Here are only a few examples that we were able to catch on camera while browsing the local market.  I also have to start with a big thanks to Gully for the photography, since I´m too chicken to take pictures of the people selling these ridiculous things.


1. Sidewalk lettuce – I’m not convinced a spin in the lettuce spinner will quite get this lettuce as clean as I would like….

Mmmm.... pavement produce

2. Wheelbarrow pineapple slices – again, wheelbarrows and hygienic food handling don’t really go hand in hand in my mind.

   

   Duelling pineapple wheelbarrows
   

3. Honey from an open, shallow plastic bin – this was on a very busy and crowded sidewalk – I would have put my foot in it if I hadn’t been paying attention.

   

   Sweet, sweet street honey

   
4. Raw meat laying in the hot sun – especially if I can still see its face (Yes, look closely). Although they get points for presentation for their nice bed of greenery.  That greenery can probably be found as Sidewalk Lettuce the next day…

I think it´s winking at me



5. Anything that literally causes blood to run in the streets.

Yep... that´s blood



6. And lastly, lingerie.  I want to avoid that akward question:  “Ummm where’s the changeroom?"

   

   What a slick lingerie sales team

And, a couple things that I am willing to buy in the streets:

1. Toilet paper – why not?

   

   Check out the guy in the red shirt hand-selling toilet paper.

   
   

2. Popcorn.  All this shopping made me hungry...

What could go wrong with popcorn?



Lastly, an image for all the faithful out there.  This painting is very common in Cusco, and could also be purchased on the street if one so desired.  Personally, it is a little too "in your face" for my tastes.



Look at the smug look on baby Jesus´s face....

-E