For sale

In Masisea there isn't a central market location. Instead, the market roams the streets. The townspeople put the fish or oranges or coconuts or tamales in big colorful plastic bowls and then put the bowls on their heads, then they wander the neighborhoods, yelling out an announcement of whatever it is they think you want to buy.

Kids come to the fenced yard of our hospedaje all day long to display their wares. One lady drops in with fresh milk from her cow in glass bottles and fresh bars of white cheese wrapped in clean 1-ply sheets of toilet paper. We’re scared of the milk, but the cheese is yummuy.

Quite often when the fishermen return from their morning catches, they spread a piece of plastic down in the plaza and display all their fish. This provides an excellent lesson in fish anatomy, as some are ceremoniously cut open to display their gooey insides.

I also enjoy watching the crowd that forms—the neighbors and store beepers and chacra workers all gather around in a big circle and begin their fish bargaining.